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  • 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 Shipping Documentation

Shipping Documentation

B. Shipping Documentation

  1. Invoice/Packaging List

    Prepare an invoice and/or packing list - used throughout the customs clearance processes. It reflects, amongst other details, the export product, quantities, and indicative value.

  2. Certificate of Origin

    Mandatory international requirement - issued on consignment basis to confirm origin of the products being exported. It is required by importing country particularly for import tax assessment. There are 2 types

    1. General Certificate of Origin

      Covers: Countries with no preferrential (special) trade agreements with Uganda
      Details: Generic international trade rules apply
      Issued by: Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCC)
      Fees: UGX 20,000 per consignment

    2. Preferential Certificate of Origin

      Covers: Countries with preferrential (special) trade agreements with Uganda
      Details: These are; 
      1. Bilateral - China; Republic of Korea; India; and Morocco
      2. Regional - EAC; and COMESA
      3. Multilateral - Everything-but-Arms (EBA)
      This equates to 52 preferrential markets (countries) under the different trade regimes. Preferential treatment applies when the consignment is accompanied by the preferential certificate of origin.
      Issued by: International Affairs Desk, Customs Department (Uganda Revenue Authority) - through the Uganda Electronic Single Window.
      • A simplified EAC Certificate of Origin is available at the border for consignments of value less than US $2,000.
      • For the EU, the Registered Exporter (REX) system is used for certification of origin of goods instead of the GSP Certificate of Origin. Pre-register on the systemto enable verification in the EU at the time of export. Registration is done online here.
      Fees: Free of charge

  3. International Health Movement Permits

    1. International Health Movement Certificate (IHMC)

      Covers: Movement of livestock (live animals) caross borders
      Details: Additional supporting documents may be required - animal health and internal movement of animals
      Issued by: Animal Health Department, Directorate of Animal Resources (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries)
      Fees: UGX 40,000 per consignment
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