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Container Yard
Transport Logistics 
Target group copy: Welcome

Do you have products that you’d like to import to or export from Uganda? If yes, this is the right place for you! After an insightful interview with one of our projects, Njagala, who have been transporting goods to and from Uganda for quite some time now, as well as our own research, we have compiled a guide for you. Here you will find detailed steps regarding importing and exporting, but also some “inside information” and useful tips that might come handy when are setting up the logistics of your business in Uganda.

Importing 

General Procedure

  1. Obtain an import permit, if the types of goods require you to (food, drugs, chemical, agricultural products).  More info regarding this procedure can be found here: https://ugandatrades.go.ug/procedure/108/step/475  

  2. Ensure that all goods to be imported meet Ugandan standards as prescribed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. Even though direct contact with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards is preferrable, a list of standards published by them can be found here: https://unbs.go.ug//attachments/menus/27/Uganda%20Standards%20Catalogue%20as%20at%2030%20June%20%202021.pdf

  3. Send information to the supplier clearly describing the following:

    1. Good description

    2. Technical specifications

    3. Quantity

    4.  Price

    5. Delivery period

    6. Regulatory requirements

  4. Confirm that the goods are not on the prohibited list

  5. Check to make sure that the goods do not attract anti-dumping duties (protectionist tariffs imposed by the domestic government on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value)

  6. Determine the cost, organize funding, and obtain advice from your bank

  7. Discuss with the supplier, sign a contract and make payment as agreed

  8. Before the goods get in the country you should:

    1. Obtain the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of conformity

    2. Appoint a clearing agent who will compute the customs duty, transport charges and advice you accordingly

    3. Obtain the relevant quality certificates

  9. When the goods arrive, you should do the following:

    1. Process the goods through customs

    2. Obtain a release order

    3. Authenticate compliance certificate

    4. Pay transport charges, collect goods, and transport to your premise

Required Documents

  • Supplier’s invoice

  • Packing list

  • Airway bill (for imports by air)

  • Commercial invoice

  • Freight invoice

  • Obtain form for motor vehicles from the Uganda Revenue Authority (apply here: https://www.ura.go.ug/mvrController/loadSearchnCerti)

  • Road transit customs document (commonly known as C63) prepared at seaport and entry port in Uganda

  • Certificate of origin

  • Railway consignment note (for import by rail)

  • Bill of lading - legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried

  • Trade license

  • Release order certificate of compliance

  • Import declaration form

  • Declaration of customs value form

  • Any other relevant documents

Insider Tips from our research

Persons or entities who wish to start exporting from Uganda, need to follow related streamline procedures set by Government authorities. For example, a registered trade with a concerned license as per the business is necessary for the importing of commercial products into Uganda.

The efficiency of the Customs Clearance process depends on having valid documents, the accuracy of the information provided in the documents as well as the promptness in submitting the documents and filing the necessary applications for the Customs Clearance. As a result, the importer should make sure that they made all of the correct import documents that are required to clear the customs formalities and satisfy all compliance and regulations.

For the most part in all nations there are three phases in the import process:

  1. One time enrolment to acquire import permit, more info: https://howtoexportimport.com/Import-Registration-and-import-Licence-procedures--9260.aspx

  2. documentation required for importation, more info: https://howtoexportimport.com/Import-documents-required-in-Importing-country-9259.aspx  

  3. procedure of import customs clearance, more info: https://howtoexportimport.com/Import-Customs-procedures-in-Importing-country-9258.aspx

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Exporting

General Procedure

Exports are zero-rated tax-wise to reduce costs for exporters and also make Ugandan products more competitive in the global market.

The Export procedure by the agent and exporter is as follows:

1. Identify the operational export regime for the export. There are four (4) operational export regimes used in the            automated export system, namely:

  • EX1 Permanent Direct Exports. These are mainly local produce and attract no taxes.

  • EX2 Temporary Export/ Re-exports (not bonded). Goods going out for repair or otherwise but coming back.

  • EX3 Permanent Re-exports (not bonded). These are normally personal effects. And

  • EX8 Bonded exports (CPC 8400)/ re-exports (CPC 8471). These are basically manufactured goods.

2. Make sure that Export Incentives and Facilities are ready. These are:

  • Bonded Warehouse Facility

  • Duty Draw Back Facility

  • Inward/Outward Processing

  • Export Processing Zones (planning).

3. Capture a Single Administrative Document (SAD) at the DTI center and register the declaration.

4. Print the captured Single Administrative Document (SAD)

5. Attach all the necessary export accompanying documents and presented to Customs Verification Unit for confirmation of the export goods.

6. The Customs endorsed SAD is then lodged at CBC Exports Desk for document processing.

Required Documents 

General:

  • Certificate of registration / Incorporation

  • Valid Export Certificate / License / Permits from Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry: this is however is requested for on exportation of specific items like minerals, fisheries and wildlife among others;

  • Quality Certificate from relevant regulatory bodies i.e. UCDA, CDO, and UNBS.

  • Weighbridge slip/report.

  • Certificate of origin from Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for exports destined for countries outside COMESA.

  • EUR.1 (movement certificate for goods destined for the EU issued by the Uganda Exports Promotion Board (UEPB).

  • International Coffee Organization (ICO) certificate of origin from UCDA for coffee export

  • Phytosanitary certificate from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)

  • Packing list/Tally sheet.

  • Tax invoice.

  • COMESA certificate of origin from UEPB for goods destined to COMESA countries.

  • Health certificate from MAAIF if exporting fish.

  • Valid lint cotton export registration certificate from CDO

  • Fumigation certificate.

  • Proof of payment of taxes (export levy) from the bank in the case of hides and skins $0.25 per kg.

​

Documents Prepared by the exporter and their agents:

  • Proforma Invoice Required for most indirect purchases like purchases done by mail, purchases through foreign agents, etc.

  • Sales Contract: Required when the seller and buyer indicate that they entered into contracts of sale and purchase

  • Commercial Invoice Required in cases of indirect purchases

  • Receipts for payment of commissions to agents: Required when a purchaser uses an agent/broker to perform any service paid for in the process of purchasing the goods

  • Warehousing or storage cost receipts from the country of export: Required when goods are stored in warehouses in countries of export especially after purchasing on the account of the purchaser

  • Cash Receipts Required for all cash payments in respect to the goods

  • Certificate of analysis: Required for all goods specifically those with chemical compounds

Fees

Additionally, there will be some fees that might also need to be paid. These vary depending on what is being exported, its quality, quantity, and documents required as follows:

  • Precious stones incur 10% of export value.

  • Industrial/Construction incurs 30,000 UGX per ton.

  • Granite incurs 10,000 UGX per ton.

  • Base Metals incur 5% of export value.

  • Phyto-sanitary certificate fee - 2000 UGX

  • Quality assurance certificate (Depends on the export product being certified)

  • Certificate of analysis (Depends on the export product being certified)

  • International Animal movement permit fee - 10,000 UGX per consignment.

  • Dogs and Cats movement permit fee - 20,000 UGX

  • General certificate of origin - 5000 UGX

  • Preferential certificate of origin - 5000 UGX

However, these fees can change with time so it is better to contact the concerned authority before the start of the process.

Insider Tips from Njagala

Since the start of their project in 2017, Njagala has exported 6 packages from Uganda with destination to Germany. They prefer exporting once or twice per year, rather than regularly, while their usual package weights 5kg, contains 70 products (bags, pencil cases, purses) and costs 234,500 Shillings, around 60 Euros. The provider they use is Post Uganda, as they can send everything legally with it. Additionally, this provider cooperates with DHL in Germany so after the items arrive in Germany, the delivery procedure is familiar. In addition, they have cooperated with Hand in Hand für Uganda e.V., which was the cheapest and easiest option for them, however as not many visits are taking place at the moment, they don’t use this option anymore.

Their package usually leaves from Masaka and gets delivered directly to the address in Germany like a normal DHL package, however, sometimes there might be difficulties with the German customs (Zoll) so the package will have to be opened and collected at the local Zollamt. The means of transport of the package is not visible, however, it most probably arrives by plane. Additionally, its tracking works quite well, as soon as the package is picked up, it can be tracked online. Moreover, it is normal to have a gap in the tracking system for when the package is stored in the airport, but when it arrived in Germany (FFM Airport) a notification is being sent and after 2 days it is usually already at the destination address. Lastly, expect the delivery time to vary between 2 weeks and 2 months.

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