Uganda Customs Info

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS - KAMPALA, UGANDA
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORTATION OF HHGS & P/EFFECTS

• TWO clear negotiable Original Bills of Lading, (Express or Telex release will NOT work)
• Or a copy of the air waybill
• A detailed valued inventory in English,
• If the inventory is not valued then we will require an overall value of the goods for customs purposes.
• A valid work permit (NB the regulations have recently changed and new arrivals must be in possession of a
• Valid work permit before they can import their goods to Uganda. The Immigration department no longer issues special passes and a business visa is not sufficient.)
• The consignees original passport NOT a copy
• A Tax Identification Number, will be issued and obtained for the consignee by the consignee local employer in Uganda

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• Used household goods may be duty-free provided they are exported upon the expiration of the customer's temporary residence permit.

DUTIABLE/ RESTRICTED ITEMS
• Invoices on all new electrical items and new furniture less than 6 months old are subject to payment of Customs duties and taxes
• Invoices required
• Home computers are not accepted as personal effects and will be subject to Customs duties and import taxes

Import regulations by Uganda customs

Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, medications, business equipment and other items . It is advisable to contact the Embassy of your destination country in Washington or one of that countries consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Labeling and packaging regulations
The following information must be clearly marked on imports and exports: importer/ exporter name, consignee, flight/vehicle details, place of discharge, number of packages, container identity, description of goods, air way bill number/bill of lading, and country of origin/ destination.
Markings and packaging for foods and medicines should meet internationally recognized packaging procedures.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORTATION OF POV

• Same as per normal importation of a personal owned vehicle however:
• The Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs must approve the importation of diplomatic goods into Uganda.

For this the diplomatic officer must present a copy of the bill of lading or air waybill to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval prior to the release from customs. To avoid airport storage charges a copy of the air waybill and logbook or export certificate should be sent to our attention at least ten days prior to dispatch of the goods by airfreight.

Please note all non-diplomatic consignments are subject to 100% verification. There will be no taxes levied on HHG’s consignments if the consignee has diplomatic status, or if the consignee has a valid work permit and all the goods (and one vehicle per consignee) have been used and
owned by the consignee for more than twelve months prior to the arrival in Uganda. If this is not the case, then the Uganda Revenue Authority will assign duties of approximately 45% of the estimated value of the household goods and 57% on any motor vehicle.

Clearing procedures usually take between three to four days in Kampala. Goods maybe cleared without the presence of the consignee at the airport/depot if all the documents are in order. The destination agent must complete the licensing and registration of any vehicle prior to the release from the ICD.

Registration of a motorcar takes seven working days, during which storage charges will accrue. There is nothing to do to avoid this. This is the system in Uganda. Storage and demurrage is approximately $10.00 per day.

• Alcohol, perfume & tobacco: one liter per consignee or 200 cigarettes or one box of cigars.
• 105% excise & import duties apply for quantity above.
• Firearms: by special permission only and a police verification and license is required.
• Narcotics & pornography: Importation prohibited.
• Pets and animals: Original Health, vaccination, & export certificates issued by concerned authority at origin.
• Passport of importer /owner
• Proof of employment
• Import certificate issued by Ministry Of Agriculture, in Uganda.
• Allowed accompanied with consignee or as unaccompanied baggage.
• Immediate clearance on arrival on presentation of AWB + Original Health,
• vaccination, export/import certificates + Passport + Proof of employment
             (required at least 48 hours prior to arrival of flight).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORTATION OF PERSONAL OWNED VEHICLE

• TWO clear negotiable Original Bills of Lading, TWO ORIGINALS. (Express or Telex release will NOT work)
• A valid work permit (NB the regulations have recently changed and new arrivals must be in possession of a valid work permit before they can import their goods to Uganda. The Immigration department no longer issues special passes and a business visa is not sufficient.)
• The consignees original passport NOT a copy
• An invoice or valuation for the vehicle
• The original logbook of the vehicle or the original export documents from the country of origin
• A Tax Identification Number, will be issued and obtained for the consignee by the consignee local employer in Uganda

DIPLOMATIC STAFF - DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR IMPORTATION OF HHGS & P/EFFECTS

• Same as per normal importation of goods above however:
• The Uganda Ministry of Foreign Affairs must approve the importation of diplomatic goods into Uganda.

For this the diplomatic officer must present a copy of the bill of lading or air waybill to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval prior to the release from customs. To avoid airport storage charges a copy of the air waybill and inventory should be sent to our attention at least ten days prior to dispatch of the goods by airfreight.

When exporting goods into Uganda, there are formal governmental procedures to be taken into consideration. The following documents will describe the procedures that have to be followed and it will also state what is required from the supplier at different stages. Unless the following guidelines are cautiously and timely followed up there will most certainly be delays in the shipment of goods which will consequently result into delays in clearance of the shipment and delivery to the final customer.

URA (Uganda Revenue Authority) i.e. Uganda Customs & Excise follows GATT system for valuation of imports in to Uganda. In this system, the CIF - value up to POE, for the purpose of calculation applicable import duties & taxes, is arrived at by consolidating all the costs from FOB (Freight on board) -Port of Loading. Under this valuation system, the importer is expected to avail to URA all originals or copies of the documents listed bellow:

Other Uganda customs information

Prohibited Imports:
1. Fire arms
2. Post office equipment
3. Electricity supply specialized equipment
4. Pornographic materials
5. Imports banned under international agreement where Uganda is a signatory

Restricted Imports:
1. Drugs
2. Live animals
3. Wild endangered species
4. Explosives
5. Military hardware
6. Seeds and plants
7. Specialized communication equipment
8. High voltage electric wires and transformers
9. Cigarettes
10. Used motor vehicle tiers
11. Used motor vehicle batteries

For general travel information, visit the CBP web site at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html

UGANDA MISSION & EMBASSY CONTACT IFO

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations

Uganda House, 336 East, 45th Street
New York,  NY 10017 -3489 USA

Phone: +1-212 949-0110    Fax: +1-212 687-4517
           +1-212 687-3220

Website URL: http://ugandamissionunny.net

Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in United States
5911,16th Street, N.W. Washington D.C. 20011  USA

Phone:   +1-202 726-0416   Fax:  +1-202 726-1727

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    
Website URL:  www.ugandaembassy.com

United States citizens and citizens of other countries residing in the United States (holding a Green Card or any valid long-term US visa except B1/B2) can apply for a visa to Uganda online.

NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, mymovingguide.com  can only offer guidance but cannot be responsible for miss-advise. Please contact the consulate or embassy representing the country to which you are moving to determine the applicable rules, regulations and laws to which your shipment will be subject.