How to Import Goods Into Uganda: URA, UNBS and the Mombasa-Kampala Route

To import goods into Uganda, you register your business, appoint a certified customs agent, file your declaration electronically with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and make sure regulated products carry the right standards paperwork from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Because Uganda has no seaport, most cargo travels inland from a coastal port, commonly Mombasa in Kenya or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, so the journey adds a transit step that importers in coastal countries do not face. This guide walks through the process for Kampala importers and small traders.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current rules with URA, UNBS and your licensed agent before you commit to an order.

Who regulates imports into Uganda

• Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). URA administers customs, assesses duties and taxes and runs the customs systems. Its published guidance lists licensed customs agents.
• Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). UNBS sets standards and runs inspection and clearance for imported goods covered by compulsory standards, under its Inspection and Clearance of Imports Regulation of 2022.
• East African Community (EAC). Uganda is an EAC member, so many customs rules and the common external tariff are shared across the region. Check which rates apply to your product.

Register before you buy

According to a German trade agency summary of Uganda's procedures, a commercial importer needs the company registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, a taxpayer identification number (TIN) from URA, and a trade licence for the goods being traded. The importer also registers to use the ASYCUDA World customs system. These steps can take time, so start them before you place an order, not when the container is already at sea.

If you are a Kampala importer starting out, ask your agent to walk you through the registration list. A good agent will tell you exactly what is missing from your file.

Use a certified customs agent

The same summary says the declaration must be filed by a customs agent appointed by the importer, and that using a URA-certified agent is mandatory unless the importer holds certified status itself. URA publishes a list of licensed agents, so you can check any agent before you hire one.

When you compare quotes, ask the agent to separate duties and taxes, port and shipping charges, transit and transport charges, and their own fee. Our guide to finding a reliable clearing and forwarding agent has a checklist of questions to ask.

UNBS standards and PVoC

For goods covered by compulsory Ugandan standards, UNBS runs a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme. In plain terms, the goods are inspected in the country of export before loading, and if they comply, a PVoC service provider issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). UNBS says the CoC is the basis for releasing the goods when they arrive in Uganda, and that it must show the importer, exporter, product description, quantities, batch numbers and invoice numbers accurately.

A few practical points from UNBS guidance:

• PVoC applies to goods on the schedule of compulsory Ugandan standards, whatever the country of origin.
• The service providers named by UNBS for general goods are SGS, Intertek and TUV Rheinland. Confirm the current list directly.
• Some categories are exempt from PVoC but can still be inspected at destination. UNBS lists examples such as certain raw materials for manufacturing and goods produced in another EAC partner state. Do not assume your goods are exempt, and check the exact exemption conditions.
• For food products, UNBS guidance mentions minimum remaining shelf life at the time of purchase. Ask UNBS for the current rule if you import food.

UNBS also launched an online portal on 1 July 2025 linked to URA systems, which is meant to speed up clearance, allow online requests such as release under seal and give all parties a view of status. The detail may change, so ask your agent how it works for your shipment. If you are thinking about UNBS standards import checks, the safest habit is to raise them with your supplier before you pay a deposit.

The Mombasa to Kampala route and transit

Most importers think of the corridor from Mombasa to Kampala, which runs through Kenya, though Dar es Salaam is another entry point for Uganda-bound cargo. Goods moving inland under customs control are normally carried in transit, which means duties are settled at the final destination, not at the port. Details such as bonds, tracking and transit documents are handled by your agent, and they differ by route and operator.

What this means for you:

• Budget for inland transport as a separate line, not only ocean freight.
• Ask whether your quote covers the port, transit and delivery to your Kampala warehouse, or only part of the journey.
• Choose Incoterms carefully. Our guide to freight to Africa explains how routes, terms and costs fit together.
• Ask what happens if the cargo is delayed at the border or the port. Storage and demurrage costs can build up.

Customs declaration and documents

Uganda customs clearance is done through an agent, online, and against a set of documents that must agree with each other.

The German agency summary says declarations are filed electronically through the Uganda Electronic Single Window, and that the declaration must reach customs within 21 days of arrival, with late goods moved to a warehouse at the owner's expense. Treat those details as a guide and ask your agent to confirm the current deadline, because rules get updated.

Typical documents include:

• Commercial invoice and packing list.
• Bill of lading or air waybill.
• PVoC Certificate of Conformity for covered goods.
• Certificate of origin if you claim a preferential rate under an EAC, COMESA or AfCFTA arrangement.
• Import permits for regulated goods, such as plant or animal products.

Our explainer on the bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list shows what each of these should contain and how mismatches cause delays.

URA import duty: how to estimate cost

URA import duty depends on the product's HS code, its customs value and the applicable rate under the EAC common external tariff, plus taxes such as VAT. We do not quote rates because they change. Instead:

1. Get the HS code from your supplier, then confirm it with your agent.
2. Ask for a written estimate of duty and taxes before you pay the supplier.
3. Add freight, insurance, transit, port, agent and inland costs to find your true landed cost.

If you resell in Kampala, compare your landed cost with local wholesale prices. Our guide to Owino Market and wholesale buying in Kampala can help you judge whether importing directly makes sense for your product.

Import from China to Uganda

Many traders want to import from China to Uganda for electronics, hardware, clothing and household goods. The steps are the same as above, plus a few China-specific checks:

• Ask the factory which PVoC provider will inspect your goods and when.
• Do not accept a certificate that does not match the invoice, quantities and importer name.
• Order a sample first and verify the supplier before paying.
• Read our guide to importing from China to Kenya, because many consignments for Uganda travel through Kenyan ports and the shipping steps are similar.

Mistakes Kampala importers should avoid

• Ordering regulated goods before checking whether they need a PVoC certificate.
• Assuming the quote includes transit and inland delivery when it does not.
• Paying in full upfront to an unverified supplier.
• Leaving the declaration late, which can mean warehouse fees.
• Guessing the duty instead of asking the agent for a written estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a customs agent to import into Uganda? Yes. A German trade agency summary says the declaration must be filed by an agent appointed by the importer and that a URA-certified agent is mandatory.

What is PVoC? Pre-Export Verification of Conformity. Goods covered by compulsory standards are inspected before shipment in the exporting country and receive a Certificate of Conformity.

Which port do Ugandan importers use? Uganda is landlocked, so cargo commonly arrives through Mombasa or Dar es Salaam and travels inland. Ask your agent about the best route for your goods.

Where can I find URA import duty rates? Check the URA website or ask a licensed agent to confirm the rate for your HS code in writing.

Are there exemptions from PVoC? UNBS lists some, but they come with conditions and can still involve inspection at destination. Confirm with UNBS before assuming.

Is it safe to pay a Chinese supplier upfront? Never pay in full to an unverified seller. Verify the company, start with a sample and use protected payment methods.

Getting started

Pick one product, confirm its HS code, standards and duty with a certified agent, then place a small first order. To compare verified suppliers, post a sourcing request on Comilmart or browse listings. Comilmart connects buyers with verified sellers across Africa, and there are no listing fees to get started.