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Uganda

JVK Africa Ltd.
Block No 9 1st Floor
Plot No. 2, Colville St.
Shumuk House
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-7880-19445
E-mail: Please contact branch through the Contact Us page

UGANDA
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS

The Shipper MUST be in the country when the goods arrive. Original passport is required.

Household good and Vehicles MUST be cleared separately.

Returning Residents out of Uganda for 2+ years and Uganda Diplomats: In order to get duty and tax free entry for returning residents they must have been out of the country a minimum of 2 years. The goods must be imported within 6 months of the return date – subject to customs interview. Failure to do so results in Duty and Taxes applying. New Items are subject to Import Custom Duties and Taxes @25% as well as VAT @18%.

   Documents required:

  • Original passport with visa expiry for Returning Ugandan
  • End of contract letter from company – for Returning Ugandan
  • Packing list in English (no abbreviations)
  • Valued Inventory list in English
  • Declaration of Value for Customs purposes
  • Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification number) – for Ugandan
  • MFA form acquired in Uganda from Foreign Affairs (employer) – for Diplomat
  • Diplomat ID, passport

Foreign or Temporary residents: The goods must be imported within 6 months of consignee arrival date in Uganda. Failure to do so results in Duty and Taxes applying. New Items are subject to Import Duties and Taxes @25% as well as VAT @18%

Documents Required:

  • Original Passport
  • Valid work permit
  • A letter of employment or contract from employer
  • Packing list in English (no abbreviations)
  • Valued inventory list in English
  • Declaration of Value for Customs purposes
  • Individual TPIN (Tax Pater Identification number)
  • Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Diplomats: The shipper must be in Uganda prior to the arrival of his goods and he must first officially register at the Uganda Department of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic shipments can ONLY be cleared in Kampala.

Documents Required:

  • Original Diplomatic passport & Diplomat ID
  • MFA form acquired in Uganda from Foreign Affairs (employer)
  • Copy of inventory and value
  • Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

MOTOR VEHICLES (AUTOS AND MOTORBIKES)

Returning Nationals who have lived abroad for more then 2 years are allowed to import one motor vehicle duty and tax free provided the vehicle was registered in the shipper’s name in the country of Origin.

Temporary Foreign Residents are allowed to import one motor vehicle duty and tax free within the first 6 months of their arrival in Uganda (date of issue of the work permit), provided that the vehicle was registered in the shipper’s name in the country of Origin – subject to customs interview. Right hand drive cars allowed and shouldn’t be more than 8 years old.

Foreign Diplomats may import 1 vehicle maximum duty and tax free.

Vehicles belonging to returning Uganda Diplomats can only be cleared in Kampala.

Documents required for import:

  • Original certificate of registration cancelled and ownership
  • Purchase invoice or letter of sale in English
  • Export certificate & Valuation certificate
  • Inspection letter from UNBA (Ugandan National Bureau of Statistics)
  • MFA form acquired in Uganda from Foreign Affairs (employer) – for Diplomat
  • Original Passport and work permit for foreigner
  • Diplomat passport and ID
  • Insurance certificate
  • Contract/Appointment letter from Employer for Foreigners

NOTE: Starting from Jan 2020, please note that a new Pre-Inspection Certificate is now required for all sea and road imports to Uganda. To assure the quality and safety of imported goods, the Government of Uganda, through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), implemented a series of guidelines known as a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards Programme (PVoC).

This new regulation applies to all shipments to Uganda, including private, diplomatic and returning citizen shipments. The PVoC Certificate must be obtained at origin through an inspection agency or an official Bureau of Standards Agency.

The PVoC verifies the conformity of all regulated products and enforces their standards. Compliance to PVoC requirements is in addition to other existing import processes. Please note that any goods arriving in Uganda without a PVoC Certificate will be subjected to a 100% inspection by the UNBS (except for diplomats), and will incur inspection charges for the issuance of the PVoC Certificate (minimum USD 235). This process will also cause delays that will accrue extra charges.

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

Prohibited:

  • Unlawful drugs and narcotics
  • Pornography
  • Counterfeit Items
  • Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance
  • Henna
  • Palm Trees and any byproducts
  • Explosive Materials

Alcohol, Spirits, Cigarettes should be sent separately from personal effects shipment and are subject to high duty/tax. Firearms and ammunition can

only be imported with authorization from the territorial administration. Endangered species and any products or parts thereof require authorization from CITES. Any hunting weapons require authorization from the Ministry of Interior.

CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Please contact the JVK office for consignment instructions.

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