The Customs clearance of goods is done by lodging Import entries and other clearances which are a legal declaration to Customs under the Customs and Excise Act 2004. To expedite the process of clearing goods is conducted smoothly; certain ddocuments required by Customs should be available on request by the customs officer.

The General documents are:-

• A Customs Bill of Entry duly completed and signed by a Customs Agent.
• Other documents related to the purchase and importation of the goods such as:
• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading (for Imports by Sea)
• Airway Bill (for imports by air)
• Railway consignment note (for imports by rail)
• Freight Invoice
• Insurance certificate (if goods were insured)
• Proforma Invoice
• Certificate of Origin
• Permits (if necessary)
• Original and translated certificates of cancellation or permanent export for motor vehicles
• Road transit Customs Document (Commonly known as C63) prepared at seaport and entry port in Uganda.
• URA Form 1 for Motor vehicles
• Any other relevant documents.

Please note that on top of the General documents, there are some which are required for the clearance of particular goods through customs.  These are:

• Flowers, fruits, vegetables and plants:

• Phyto-sanitary certificate
• Export license from the Ministry of Agriculture
• Certificate of origin from Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Movement permit Euro 1 (For exports to Europe)

• Animals (pets, cats and dogs):

• Health certificate from a government Vet certifying that the animal has been free from infectious/contagious diseases seven days prior to dispatch.
• Rabies vaccination cert. from Govt. Vet
• Valid vaccination cert. for infectious Hepatitis, Canine Distemper, Parvovirus and Leptosprosis.

• Precious metals:

• License to deal in minerals from the commissioner geological surveys and mines.
• Export certificate from Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry.
• Export permit from the Dept. of Geological Survey and Mines (This specifies the quantity being exported).

• Fish exports:

• Health certificate from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
• Export certificate from ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry.
• Certificate of origin from UNCCI
• Movement Certificate Euro1.

• Bees and Bee products:

• Packaged bees, bee colonies:
• Export Permit  and National Health Inspection Certificate from Commissioner  Livestock Health and Entomology (CLHE)
• Bee Products:
• Import permit from importing country
• Export Permit and National Health Inspection Certificate from CLHE(MAAIF)
• Laboratory analysis from UNBS or Chemiphar (U) ltd.
• Import Permit from the importing country

• Game and Trophies:

Permit to export Game Trophies and Wild animals issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry).

• Hides and Skins

Export Certificate for Hides and Skins /Veterinary Health Certificate issued by Veterinary Department (Ministry of Animal Industry and Fisheries).

• Drugs (Human and animal medicine):

License to import that particular drug from NDA
Quality clearance certificate from NDA issued after a sample of the drug has been tested and passed the quality test.

• Second hand clothing

Fumigation certificate, to show that the goods were fumigated prior to shipment and are free from any vermin’s or disease causing organisms.

• Coffee and Cotton:

Must have the relevant export permits from the Uganda Coffee and Cotton development authorities before your coffee or cotton can be cleared by Customs for export.

DISCLAIMER: This Information is strictly for purposes of guidance to our clientele and is subject to change on amendment of tax legislations & any other regulations that govern tax administration.