If you’re considering relocating to Uganda with your used car, there are several important things you should know about the vehicle importation process.

Whether you are moving  to Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja, or anywhere else in Uganda, a reputable relocation/removals company in Uganda will make the process hassle-free. Relocating to Uganda with your used car does not have to be stressful. Being able to import your car duty-free is one of the many reasons relocating to Uganda can be such an attractive proposition.

Fortunately, importing your car to Uganda has become easier, thanks to the efforts of Ugandan authorities. In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential information you need to know about importing a vehicle to Uganda:

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  All vehicles imported into Uganda must fully comply with the standards set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS)

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) outlines certain conditions that must be met by all vehicles imported into Uganda.

These guidelines apply whether you’re importing a motor vehicle duty-free or not. To qualify, the imported Car must be:

• Less than 15 years old from the date of its first registration

• Subject to a roadworthiness inspection by a UNBS-appointed inspection agent upon entry into Uganda.

UNBS agents offer pre-export verification of conformity services, which include inspection, testing, sealing of full-load containers, and issuing certificates of conformity. (COCs).

1. Additional Requirements Apply Before Vehicles Can Be Imported Duty-Free Into Uganda

You must be over 18 to import a duty-free car into Uganda. Furthermore, the import duty on vehicles is waived only if:

• • The individual will permanently return to Uganda, not just visit for some time.
  • One must register the Car in his or her name for at least one year, not counting the time the Vehicle will spend getting shipped.

• The owner has actually stayed in a foreign country for at least one year.

• The owner of the Vehicle to be imported must not have stayed in Uganda for more than 90 days cumulatively during the two years he or she has been away.
• The Car is not a bus or minibus with a seating capacity larger than 13 passengers or a load-carrying capacity of more than two tonnes.
• The Car must be shipped out of its country of origin within 90 days of its owner’s arrival in Uganda.

This is important to know because Uganda allows only one duty-free Car per returning resident in a lifetime.

• Documents Required for Foreigners Moving to Uganda

Foreigners looking to import their vehicles into Uganda must have the following documents:

• • Original passport

• A valid work permit

1. Interpol Must clear Vehicles in the Country of Origin

It is necessary to have your Vehicle inspected by the police (Interpol) at the state of origin before being shipped to Uganda.

If you cannot have your Car inspected by Interpol before it arrives in Uganda, you will need to get the police to inspect and clear it before registration.

• Your Car Should be Registered by the Ministry of Works & Transport Before Leaving the Bonded Warehouse

If you are importing a non-diplomatic vehicle into Uganda, it is essential to know that your car will not be released from the port until the Ministry of Works & Transport has fully registered it.

Because this great process can take time, you should know that your Vehicle will be subject to port storage charges and customs warehouse rent while awaiting full registration.

Another thing to remember is that if your car has successfully been exempted from duty and is duly registered in your actual name, you can’t transfer it to any other person without first paying its taxes.

Cars imported duty-free are also not transferable to others for one year.

1. Documents Required to Support Used Vehicle Importation into Uganda

To import your used car duty-free into Uganda, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Bill of Lading or seaway bill

• URA TIN Certificate (copy)

• Original commercial invoice
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate (Certificate of Conformity)
• Original Logbook (Cancelled from the country of origin. It’s required by Transport Regulation & Safety before issuing you an original Ugandan Logbook.
• Original passport (if the present one was issued within the last two years, the older passport might be required).

1. Engage a Reputable Removals Company

You can significantly ease your mind by engaging professionals to help you with the process. They will advise you on the documents you might require, and they can also help you avoid pitfalls.

In addition to the fact that it’s possible to ship your Car in the same shipping container as your household goods, they’ll also provide helpful tips to make your shift easier.

Two Bills of Lading must be completed when one uses the same container for household goods and a vehicle.

When you use professionals who are well-informed about the motor vehicle importation and clearance processes, you can minimize costs while being alerted to any requirements you may have overlooked.

These requirements can include having a clearing and forwarding agent of good standing to help process your Vehicle’s documentation and clearance.

To ensure that your Car or household goods are properly transported, it’s essential to get in touch with a reputable shifting company in Uganda before you dispatch them.

Conclusion

Relocating with a used car is certainly feasible. However, there are many factors to consider upfront. It’s essential to be prepared and have all the steps laid out for you to make the necessary preparations for your Relocating Uganda used Car. The advice shared above should help you do just that. In the end, relocating your Vehicle to Uganda can be relatively easy if you go into it prepared by contacting a reputable relocation company. Just remember to plan and do your research. Ultimately, you will be glad you used a shifting company.

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FAQ

• Does Uganda allow importation of left hand drive vehicles?

  Yes, Uganda law allows the importation of both Right-Hand Drive and Left-Hand Drive vehicles.

• What is the age limit for importing used cars into Uganda?

  Imported cars must be less than 15 years old from the date of their first registration before entering Uganda.

• Imported cars must be less than 15 years old from the date of their first registration before entering Uganda.

  Vehicles that are commercial in nature, such as minibuses with a seating capacity larger than 13 passengers or a load-carrying capacity of more than two tonnes cannot enter duty-free into Uganda.