Export

Commodity

Coffee

Preliminary registrations and licenses

A trader wishing to export coffee is required to have a coffee export license which is issued annually by Uganda Coffee Development Authority.

All facilities where grading and color sorting of coffee for export are carried out are inspected, registered and regulated by Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA)

Obtain performance bond

A coffee trader is required to have a performance bond as one of the requirements for applying for a coffee export license. This can be obtained from any commercial bank or insurance company.

Obtain performance bond from insurance company

Obtain performance bond from bank

Permits

Obtain letter of registration of sales contract

An exporter of coffee will need to register every new sales contract and obtain a letter of registration of sales contract issued by Uganda Coffee Development Authority

Obtain quality certificate and ICO certificate of origin

All exporters of coffee are required to obtain an International Coffee Organization (ICO) Certificate of Origin for each consignment as required by the International Coffee Organisation. A quality certificate is also issued to confirm that the coffee is of good quality and meets International standard requirements. These are issued by Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA).

Quality certificate and ICO Certificate of origin

Obtain phytosanitary certificate for coffee

Traders are required to have a phytosanitary certificate for every consignment of fresh and dry produce that is for export. This certificate states that the consignment is free of any regulated pests and disease and conforms to the requirements of the importing country. It is issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries

Coffee export- full procedure

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of unprocessed coffee, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Malaba.

Maize

Permits

Obtain certificate of fumigation

A certificate of fumigation is necessary for markets which request for it in the import permit. It is issued by approved fumigation firms.

Maize-Full procedure for a first time trader

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of maize, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Busia border.

Fruits and vegetables

Preliminary registrations and licenses

The facility where produce for export is kept has to undergo inspection by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and if it conforms with the set standards, it is registered as a recognised pack house.

Clearance

Consignment clearance at Entebbe (fruits and vegetables)

Fruits and vegetables-Full procedure for a first time trader

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of fruits and vegetables, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Entebbe International Airport.

Flowers

Preliminary registrations and licenses

Traders intending to export flowers are advised to first register with the Uganda Flower Exporters Association (UFEA). UFEA is an internationally recognised association providing capacity building and industry development services to its members. It also lobbies for a better enabling environment for the growth of the flower industry, and has played a key part in the rapid expansion of the flower sector in Uganda. While UFEA registration is not mandatory, phytosanitary certificates for flowers are, in practice, only issued to UFEA members.

Clearance

Consignment clearance at Entebbe (flowers)

Flowers-Full procedure

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of flowers for the first time out of Uganda, via Entebbe International airport.

Cement

Cement export-full procedure

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of cement of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Mpondwe.

Pharmaceutical products

Preliminary registrations and licenses

Obtain user credentials for National Drug Authority Management Information System

To obtain licenses and permits from National Drug Authority , a trader is required to register with NDA Management Information system. The applicants are then issued with user credentials which enable them to access the Portal.

Obtain license to operate as a pharmaceutical manufacturer

The license to operate as a pharmaceutical manufacturer is mandatory for any trader who intends to manufacture pharmaceuticals. It is obtained from National Drug Authority and is valid for one calendar year.

Obtain license to operate a pharmacy

The license to operate a pharmacy is mandatory for any trader who intends to trade in pharmaceuticals. It is obtained from National Drug Authority and is valid for one calendar year.

Obtain export permit

A pharmaceutical manufacturer or pharmacy intending to export a pharmaceutical product must obtain an export permit through the NDA management information system.(NDAMIS).This license covers one specific drug or product and is valid for one calendar year.

Permits

Obtain verification certificate

This certificate authorizes an exporter to export the drugs/pharmaceutical products that are specified on the proforma invoice related to a specific consignment.

Pharmaceutical products-Full procedure

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of pharmaceutical products, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Malaba

Poultry and poultry products

Preliminary registrations and licenses

Obtain Establishment number

Permits

Obtain veterinary health certificate

Poultry and poultry products- Full procedure for a first time exporter

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of poultry and poultry products, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Uganda, via Malaba

Fish

Persons intending to deal in more than one specie shall require more than one license

Preliminary registrations and licenses

Obtain licence for trucks carrying fish

The fish transporter is required to have a license for trucks carrying over ten tonnes. This is issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries

Obtain licence for Industrial processing of fish & fishery Products

An exporter of processed fish and fish products must obtain a license from Ministry of Agriculture Uganda Fisheries Directorate License and permits portal

Fish exporters must register with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries directorate licenses and permits portal

Obtain Traders/ Transporters Licence

Traders and transporters of by-products, fresh and processed fish must obtain a license from Ministry of Agriculture Directorate of fisheries licenses and permits portal

Obtain certificate of establishment approval

The facility where fish is processed must have a certificate of approval which is obtained from Ministry of agriculture directorate of fisheries licenses and permits portal

Permission to engage in fishing activities

Permits

Obtain local fish health inspection certificate

A local fish health inspection certificate is required per consignment and is issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries officers at the landing site.

Obtain artisanal processors /fish mongers license

Artisinal processors and fish mongers must obtain a license from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries

Obtain fish export certificate

The exporter must obtain a fish export license for every consignment of fish and fish products. It is issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of fisheries licenses and permits portal

Tea

Tea export-Full procedure for a first time trader

This procedure details the different licences and permits a first time tea exporter will need to obtain using the Malaba border as exit point.

Timber

Preliminary registrations and licenses

Obtain timber harvesting license and forest produce movement permit

Traders in timber have to obtain a license to harvest the timber when it is ready and then they are issued with a movement permit to move the timber to a grading facility of storage area.

Permits

Obtain letter of recommendation for trade in timber

Exporters of timber are given a letter of recommendation after inspection by the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Obtain permission to export timber

Exporters of timber obtain permission to export from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

Timber export - Full procedure for a first time trader

This procedure details the different licenses and permits a first time exporter of Timber will need to obtain and clearance at the Malaba border.

Cocoa

Export of Cocoa - Full procedure for a first time trader

This procedure details the steps a first time exporter of cocoa will need to follow using the Malaba Border as point of exit.

General

Preliminary registrations

Processed product

Obtain quality mark permit online

A quality mark permit is mandatory for the export of processed products. For non processed products, a trader exporting to countries that recognize the Ugandan distinctive mark of quality may choose or need to obtain a quality mark permit. It is issued by Uganda National Bureau of Standards.

Obtain quality mark permit online

A trader wishing to export fresh or dry produce must register with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to obtain an exporter number and for issuance of phytosanitary certificates.

Obtain user access on E Single Window

An exporter will need to register and obtain credentials to be able to access the Ascyuda world system and e-Single window for purposes for obtaining certificates of origin from e single window portal

Traders are required to register with the e single window portal in order to be able to obtain Certificates of origin.

All exporters need to register with Uganda Export Promotions Board

This registration grants access to market information and trade fairs.

Permits

Certificate of origin

India certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in India. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

South Korea certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in South Korea. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

China certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in China. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

Morocco certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in Morocco. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

COMESA certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in COMESA member states. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

GSP certificate of origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access in GSP member states. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

EAC Certificate of Origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in the country of export and can benefit from trade agreements that grant certain exports from Uganda preferential market access within the East African regional community. It is issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

Obtain non preferential certificate of Origin

A certificate of origin attests that a good has been obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in Uganda. The non preferential certificate of origin is needed to export to markets with whom Uganda does not have preferential trade agreements. It is issued by the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce.

Obtain electronic phytosanitary certificate

Clearance

Clearance at Entebbe

Consignment clearance at Entebbe International airport

Simplified consignment clearance at Entebbe International airport

Clearance at Katuna

Consignment clearance at Katuna

This procedure details the steps a trader will have to go through in order to export at Uganda's Katuna border with Rwanda.

Consignment clearance for goods under the simplified trade regime at Katuna

The simplified procedure applies to exports of $2000 or less. Traders will obtain a simplified certificate of origin and do not have to appoint a clearing agent.

Consignment clearance inland via Katuna

Clearance at Busia

Consignment clearance inland via Busia

Consignment clearance at Busia

Consignment clearance of goods under the simplified trade regime at Busia

The simplified procedure applies to exports of $2000 or less. Traders will obtain a simplified certificate of origin and do not have to appoint a clearing agent.

Clearance at Malaba

Where clearance has been done inland, the exporter will come with a release order to the border and proceed to the export barrier office to obtain a rotation number be physically released.

Consignment clearance at Malaba

Consignment clearance of goods under the simplified trade regime at Malaba

The simplified procedure applies to exports of $2000 or less. Traders will obtain a simplified certificate of origin and do not have to appoint a clearing agent.

Clearance at Mpondwe

Consignment clearance at Mpondwe

Consignment clearance inland via Mpondwe

Consignment clearance inland tax free

Consignment clearance of exports via Elegu

Clearance for exports within the EAC under the Single Customs Territory

Clearance of transfers

Goods that are exported within the East African Region are referred to as Transfers and cleared under the Single Customs Territory agreement.