• Uganda
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  • 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

  1. Foreign Exchange Liberalisation - freedom to retain and repatriate up to 100% of your export earnings
     
  2. Value Added Tax (VAT) Exemption - exports are generally tax-exempt (zero-rated)
     
  3. Duty Drawback & Manufacturing Under Bond -  options for manufacturers of goods for export;
    1. using imported raw material before paying the due taxes - manufacturing under bond scheme
    2. request for a tax refund of up to 100% - on imported raw material for exported goods
       
  4. 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

angle-left Documents requirement, Licenses and Permits

Documents requirement, Licenses and Permits

Export Documentation

Unless specified, all documents are mandatory.

  1. Business Registration

    1. Business name, registration & incorporation
    2. Tax Indentification Number (TIN No.)

  2. Export Licenses & Permits

    1. 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.)

    2. 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 others
      Base Metals & Ores 5% of FOB value

    3. 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

    4. 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.)

    5. 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)

    6. 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
  3. 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.
    1. 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

    2. 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 

    3. 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

    4. 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

    5. 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: -