Documents requirement, Licenses and Permits - Uganda
- Uganda
- Resources
- Market Information
- Export Info/Licences
- Export Info/Licences
Quick information guide
Top Product Exports
- Coffee;
- Fish & fish products;
- Base metals & products;
- Sugar;
- maize;
- Beans & other pulses;
- Tea;
- Tobacco;
- Cocoa; and Edible fats & oils
Top Service Exports
- Tourism & travel;
- Transport;
- Construction;
- IT & IT enabled services;
- Financial services; and
- Professional services
Contact details:
Ministry of Trade, Industry & Cooperatives
Plot 6/8, Parliamentary Avenue
Kampala-Uganda, P.O.Box 7103
Telephone: +256-312 324 000
+256 312 324 268
Email mintrade@mtic.go.ug
Web: www.mtic.go.ug
Exporting from Uganda
“Exporting can be a profitable way of expanding your business, spreading your risks and reducing your dependence on the local market.” – Uganda Export Promotion Board
Incentives for Exporters
- Foreign Exchange Liberalisation - freedom to retain and repatriate up to 100% of your export earnings
- Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption - exports are generally tax-exempt (zero-rated)
- Duty Drawback & Manufacturing Under Bond - options for manufacturers of goods for export;
- using imported raw material before paying the due taxes - manufacturing under bond scheme
- request for a tax refund of up to 100% - on imported raw material for exported goods
- Preferential Market Access - products of Ugandan origin have preferential tariff treatment in several countries and trade blocks including:
EAC; COMESA; EU; AGOA;
China; Morocco; India South Korea
Documents requirement, Licenses and Permits
Export Documentation
Unless specified, all documents are mandatory.
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Business Registration
- Business name, registration & incorporation
- Tax Indentification Number (TIN No.)
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Export Licenses & Permits
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Fish Export Permit
Covers: Fish and fish products
Issued & renewed by: Directorate of Fisheries Resources (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries)
Fees: Application & renewal - UGX 20,000 per annum (Please note that the export of large fish species products (fresh, smoked, or dried) attracts an export levy of US $0.5 per kilogram, payable at the time of export.) -
Mineral Export Permit
Covers: Minerals, ores and precious stones
Issued & renewed by: Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources). Mineral products are regulated for security and conservation reasons - the permit is issued per consignment upon verification of origin and authenticity of the mineral. In addition, you should have a copy of an Exploration License or a Mineral Dealers (Trading) License, or any other license relating to acquisition of the product. Products will be tested before issuance
Fees:Product Applicable Export Levy Precious Stones 10% of FOB value Industrial/Construction/Materials UGX 10,000 per ton - graphite
UGX 30,000 per ton - all othersBase Metals & Ores 5% of FOB value -
Timber Export Permit
Covers: Timber and timber products (in semi-processed form) harvested from planted forests. Export of timber from natural forests is prohibited.
Issued & renewed by: Forestry Sector Support Department (FSSD) of the Ministry of Water and the Environment.
Fees: depend on the type of permit applied for -
Hides & Skins Exporters License
Covers: Hides and skins
Issued & renewed by: Animal Production Department of the Directorate of Animal Resources.
Fees: UGX 60,000 per annum (Please note that export of raw hides and skins attracts a levy of US$ 0.8 per kilogram, payable at time of export.) -
Coffee Export license
Covers: Coffee - regulated because of quality control measures
Issued & renewed by: Uganda Coffee Development Authority
Fees: UGX 1,500,000 per annum (A non-cash performance bond of US $25,000 will also be required) -
Wildlife User Rights License
Covers: Capture, breeding and export of wildlife
Issued & renewed by: Uganda Wildlife Authority. Issued in classes depending on the nature of wildlife and activities the applicant is interested in emganing in.
Fees: Depend on the type of license required
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Health, Safety & Quality Related Certification
These are issued either with respect to the processing facility and/or product. They are acquired periodically prior to export on a consignment basis.-
Health Certificate
Covers: Facilities (factories) processing fish or animal products
Details: Confirms that the processing systems and facility are in conformity and compliance with internationally acceptable sanitary and hygienic conditions - products are safe for consumption. When the exporter is not the processor, a copy of the Health Certificate of the processor must accompany the consignment.
Issued by: Directorate of Animal Resources / Directorate of Fisheries Resources (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries) for animal and fish products processing, respectively
Fees: Depend on nature of certification process to be undertaken -
Quality Assurance Certificate
Covers: Manufactured/processed products for export
Details: Must conform to applicable national and international standards. Obtain the distinctive quality mark ("Q" mark) or a Quality Assurance Certificate. In absence of wither, apply for product (batch) testing for issuance of a Laboratory Report to accompany the consignment.
Issued by: Uganda national Bureau of Standards (UNBS) and laboratories accredited by UNBS
Fees: Depend on the processes involved to obtain the certification, as prescribed by the applicable standards -
Halaal Certificate
Covers: Halaal food trade especially in predominantly Muslim countries
Details: Optional requirement - issued upon request. Demonstrates conformity to applicable hygienic, food safety and wholesomeness requirements in accordance with Islamic dietary guidelines
Issued by: Uganda Halaal Bureau (UHB) on behalf of UNBS
Fees: Depends on products to be certified -
Phytosanitary Certificate
Covers: Plants and plant products such as coffee, tea, fruits, vegetables, spices and grains
Details: Certifies that product does not contain anything injurious to plants, animals and human health - as per import requirements for the destination market
Issued by: Crop Inspection & Certification Department, Directorate of Crop Resource (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries)
Fees: UGX 5,000 per consignment -
Fumigation Certificate
Covers: Plants and plant products such as coffee, tea, fruits, vegetables, spices and grains
Details: optional - necessary to confirm that fumigation processes have been undertaken to free the product of pests
Issued by: Crop Inspection & Certification Department, Directorate of Crop Resource (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries)
Fees: -
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