How to Import from China to Uganda in 2026: URA Duty, Mombasa Route and Clearance

Uganda has no seaport, which changes everything about how to import from China to Uganda. Your container does not arrive at a Ugandan terminal; it lands in Kenya or Tanzania and then travels by road for more than a thousand kilometres before the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) clears it. That transit leg, the pre-shipment standards check from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), and a duty structure that includes withholding tax and an infrastructure levy are what set Uganda apart from other markets. This guide explains each in plain terms.

Which route: Mombasa or Dar es Salaam?

Most of Uganda's sea trade comes through the Northern Corridor via the Port of Mombasa. A 2026 report in the Daily Monitor said Uganda accounts for about two-thirds of Mombasa's transit cargo, which handled 10.91 million tonnes, while Tanzanian ports handled around 47,600 tonnes of Ugandan cargo in 2025. The same article put the road distance to Kampala at about 1,150 km from Mombasa and about 1,715 km from Dar es Salaam, and said Uganda has been exploring Dar es Salaam as a second route.

For a first order, Mombasa is the usual choice because forwarders, agents and trucking are well established. When you request quotes, ask the forwarder to price door-to-door to Kampala or your warehouse, and ask what happens to the goods at the border. Transit cargo is subject to customs control. URA introduced an electronic cargo tracking system to monitor goods moving from Mombasa, so your trucker and agent will manage tracking requirements.

Standards: UNBS and the PVoC certificate

UNBS runs the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, under which regulated products must be inspected before export. Intertek states that every consignment of regulated products shipped to Uganda must carry a Certificate of Conformity, and SGS describes its own inspection and testing route for the same programme. A US government commercial guide lists the PVoC Certificate among the documents Ugandan customs expects, alongside the import declaration form, certificate of origin, bill of lading or air waybill, commercial invoice and packing list.

The practical advice: ask UNBS or your agent whether your product is regulated before you order, tell your Chinese supplier early so the inspection can be booked at the factory, and do not ship first and sort the certificate later. For some agricultural, pharmaceutical and chemical goods, you may also need import permits from agencies such as the National Drug Authority.

Finding the supplier and paying safely

Verify the factory before you pay. Ask for a business licence and cross-check it, compare the name on the contract with the bank account, and order a sample first. Treat a price that is far below the market as a warning. Pay through a platform or method that offers some protection, and agree specification, price, delivery date and refund terms in writing. Our guides to red flags when sourcing online and minimum order quantities help you spot weak offers and size your first order sensibly.

Step by step: clearing goods through URA

URA customs works under the East African Community Customs Management Act, and importers declare goods through the ASYCUDA World system, with the Uganda Electronic Single Window handling submission of documents and tracking across agencies. UNBS is among the agencies connected to it. The URA says the single window aims to complete clearance within two days when everything else is in order, though that is a target and not a guarantee.

Make sure your business has a URA Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and decide who will clear for you. Most small importers use a licensed clearing agent, who will confirm what else is needed.
Book freight and insurance from China to Mombasa, and confirm transit arrangements to Uganda.
Obtain the PVoC certificate before shipment where your product is regulated.
Have documents ready: invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin where relevant and the certificate of conformity.
Agent files the declaration, URA assesses duty and taxes, you pay, and the goods are released after any inspection.

Uganda import duty, VAT and withholding tax

Uganda applies the East African Community Common External Tariff. A US government guide summarises it as 0% for raw materials, 10% for intermediate goods, 25% for finished goods not available in the EAC and 35% for finished goods that are. A 2024 report from Germany Trade and Invest adds the other charges worth budgeting for, as of December 2024:

VAT: 18%, calculated on customs value plus duty.
Withholding tax on imports: 6% of customs value.
Infrastructure levy: 1.5% of customs value, with imports from EAC member states exempt.
Excise duty: applies to selected products only, such as cosmetics, furniture and plastic products.

Uganda adjusts taxes in its annual budget, so these may have moved since that report. Always confirm current rates with URA or a licensed clearing agent. Ask for the full calculation in writing before you commit to a supplier, and use our landed cost guide to convert it into a per-unit price.

Mistakes to avoid when importing into Uganda

Costing only the sea freight. The road leg from Mombasa to Kampala is a major part of the bill.
Ignoring PVoC until the goods are already on the water.
Forgetting withholding tax and the infrastructure levy when you compare prices.
Using a wrong or vague HS code. It can change duty and cause inspection.
Ordering a full container as your first order.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import directly into Uganda by sea? No. Uganda is landlocked, so sea cargo enters through a port in Kenya or Tanzania and travels to Uganda in transit.

Is Mombasa better than Dar es Salaam for Uganda? Mombasa is the busier and shorter route and the more commonly used one. Dar es Salaam is an alternative, and options have been changing, so ask your forwarder for current quotes on both.

What is PVoC for Uganda? It is the pre-export inspection programme run under UNBS standards. Regulated goods need a Certificate of Conformity before shipment.

Do I pay duty in Kenya or in Uganda? That depends on how the cargo is declared for transit, so ask your clearing agent to explain the procedure and give you the duty calculation in writing before you book.

Getting started

If you want to test a product before importing a whole container, create a free Comilmart account, send a request for quote (RFQ) through the B2B catalog, and order a sample from a verified supplier in the directory. Our Incoterms guide will help you read the quotes you receive.