Uganda

Specific Information

Uganda is a member of the East African Community (EAC), and customs procedures are governed by the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA). Duty-free import of used household goods and personal effects is available to returning residents and qualifying expatriates. Non-qualifying consignees are subject to 25% import duty, 18% VAT, and 10% in other taxes and levies — confirm current rates with the destination agent.

Port Wharfage: A wharfage fee of 1.6% applies to all shipments processed through Mombasa (the primary sea gateway for Uganda). This fee is levied on the declared value of the cargo.

First Arrivals by Air: For the first shipment arriving by air, the owner of the goods must present their original passport with entry stamp and a letter of employment.

Returning Residents: Returning Ugandan residents should have a residence permit from their country of residence abroad.

Grace Period: A grace period of seven days applies after arrival of the shipment for documentation and clearance purposes before storage fees begin accruing.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials (pallets, crates, dunnage) must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary treatment standards.

Uganda Electronic Single Window: Customs clearance in Uganda is processed through the Uganda Electronic Single Window platform. The destination agent and a licensed customs broker must be engaged well in advance of the shipment's arrival.

Practical Note: Uganda is landlocked. Almost all sea freight routes through the port of Mombasa (Kenya) before onward road transport to Kampala. Mombasa clearance procedures and transit documentation add time and cost to the process. The destination agent should be engaged before shipment.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original passport
• Certificate of incorporation or registration (for company/organization imports)
• Original logbook or registration certificate, or cancellation of registration
• De-registration certificate (used cars, boats, motorcycles)
• Original invoice (new cars, boats, motorcycles)
• Road worthiness certificate from the country of origin
• Original OBL / telex release / air waybill
• Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Pre-shipment inspection Certificate of Conformity (COC) from a UNBS-contracted inspection company (see below)
• Interpol report confirming ownership (required for vehicles imported from Southern African countries only)
• Exemption letter and allocation of number plates (diplomats)

Specific Information

Returning Ugandan nationals and non-diplomats may import one vehicle duty-free, provided the vehicle has been owned for at least 12 months prior to import.

Pre-Shipment Inspection: A Certificate of Conformity (COC) from an inspection company contracted by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is required. Approved inspection companies include SGS, Intertek, JEVIC, and EAAR, among others. Pre-shipment inspection applies to Japan and Dubai origin vehicles at authorized dealers; for all other origins, inspection is conducted in Uganda at a cost of approximately USD 250 to 400.

Vehicle Age Restrictions (EAC Consumer Protection Regulations 2017): The following age limits apply to second-hand vehicles at the date of shipment, measured from the date of first registration:

• Motorcars (including SUVs, crossovers, jeep-type): not less than 18 months old and not more than 4 years old — except for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer
• Dual-purpose vehicles (including 4x4 double-cab trucks, excluding vans and heavy-duty lorries): not more than 3 years old — except for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer
• Goods vehicles and lorries: not more than 6 years old — except for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer
• Vans (carrying goods or up to 7 persons): not more than 3 years old — except for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer
• Motor buses: not more than 3 years old — except for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer

Dumping Fee: Vehicles older than 8 years that otherwise qualify for duty exemption are subject to a dumping fee of 30% of the CIF value. There is no exemption for vehicles with an engine displacement exceeding 3,000 cc.

Correction to IAM Baseline: The 2018 IAM guide states the vehicle age limit as 8 years. The EAC Consumer Protection Regulations 2017 imposed significantly more restrictive age limits for most vehicle categories (3 to 4 years). The 8-year reference may apply only to the dumping fee threshold for qualifying exempt vehicles. Agents must verify current applicable limits with the URA and the destination agent before shipment.

Pets

• Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza 3. Additional vaccinations:
• Cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, feline leukemia 3. Additional vaccinations:

Update vs. IAM Baseline: The IAM baseline mentions electronic identification as "highly recommended" and references a 15-day window for the health certificate. Current requirements include a mandatory parasite treatment step and a 6-day health certificate validity window. The import permit requirement has also been updated — pets traveling with their owner do not require a separate import permit.

1. ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip (strongly recommended; all documentation must reflect the microchip number if implanted)

1. Rabies vaccination administered between 30 days and 11 months prior to entry (for pets over 3 months of age)

1. Internal and external parasite treatment (including for Echinococcus multilocularis)

1. International health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and endorsed by a government veterinarian in the country of origin within 6 days of entry into Uganda

1. Vaccination record / pet passport

Pets entering with their owner do not require an import permit. Commercial pet imports require an import permit, valid for 30 days (extendable to three months on a case-by-case basis).

Pets must enter Uganda by air through Entebbe International Airport. Advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport is required to ensure inspectors are available, particularly for late-night arrivals.

No rabies titer test is required for entry into Uganda. However, Uganda is classified as a high-rabies risk country by the World Organisation for Animal Health; if the pet will return to its country of origin, a titer test may be required by that country. Owners should plan accordingly.

No breeds are banned from import into Uganda.

Puppies and kittens under 3 months of age may enter with proof of their mother's rabies vaccination. Once they reach 3 months of age, they must be vaccinated and wait 30 days before entry.

Pets not meeting import requirements will be quarantined, returned to the country of origin, or euthanized. All costs are the importer's responsibility.

Other Animals: Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, rabbits, and tropical fish are not subject to the rabies vaccination requirement but may require a health certificate and an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

CITES: Import of wildlife species and products thereof requires CITES permits. Uganda is a signatory to the CITES convention and enforces its provisions.