Obtaining a coffee export license Uganda is a mandatory requirement for any individual or company intending to export coffee from Uganda to international markets. The process is regulated by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), which oversees licensing, inspection, and quality control for all coffee exports.
Applicants must apply in person by visiting the UCDA head office in Kampala or any of its field offices across the country. At the office, the applicant receives the Application for Exporter’s License form to fill out and submit. The form requires accurate details about the applicant and the business.
Once completed, the application form must be submitted together with all required documents and the official application fee receipt as proof of payment. The UCDA’s field officers will then inspect the applicant’s operations to ensure compliance with export standards. Their findings and recommendations are forwarded to the UCDA Board of Directors for review and final approval.
If the application is successful, the approved list of coffee exporters is published in the Uganda Gazette. After notification, the applicant pays the respective license fee and submits the payment receipt. The Managing Director of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority then issues the official Coffee Exporter’s License to the applicant.
Required Documents
To apply for the license, attach the following:
- Certified copy of certificate of incorporation
- Certified copy of memorandum and articles of association
- Proof of paid-up share capital
- Names of directors with National IDs/Passports, TIN numbers, and certificates of good conduct
- Two business referees with full contact details
- Tax compliance certificate from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
- Clearance letter from the Uganda Coffee Exchange (UCE)
- Undertaking to provide monthly returns to UCDA
- Certificate of registration (for sole proprietors)
- Commercial invoice and certificate of compliance
- Approved coffee trader contract and agreement with a licensed coffee liquorer
Eligibility
The coffee export license Uganda is open to all companies and individuals registered in Uganda who wish to engage in coffee export trade.
Fees
The licensing costs include:
- Coffee Export License: UGX 1,500,000
- Contract/Transaction charge: UGX 1,893,581.70 – 7,574.33% depending on scale
- Performance bond: 2% of contract amount (USD 500 minimum)
- Pre-shipment inspection: UGX 25,000
- Phytosanitary certificate: UGX 5,000
- Estimated total cost per container: UGX 189,358.17 (USD 50)
Validity
The coffee export license is valid for one year, covering the financial year period from 1st July to 30th June.
Processing Time
The licensing process takes up to one month, depending on the completeness of the application and the inspection process.
Office Location and Contact
Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA)
Coffee House, Plot 35 Jinja Road
P.O. Box 7267, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (+256) 414-256940 / 312-260470
Fax: +256-414-256994
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ugandacoffee.go.ug
Other Coffee Licenses Issued by UCDA
UCDA issues various types of licenses to regulate all coffee-related activities, including:
- Local Coffee Roaster License: For businesses roasting coffee locally. Valid for one financial year.
- Coffee Liquorer’s License: For trained professionals who classify and taste coffee. Valid indefinitely.
- Coffee Warehouse License: For warehouse owners meeting ICO storage standards. Valid for one year.
- Green Coffee Export License: For unroasted coffee exports. Valid for one year.
- Direct Export of Premium Coffee License: For farmers or cooperatives exporting high-quality premium coffee directly. Valid for one year.
- Instant Coffee Export License: For businesses exporting instant coffee products. Valid for one year.
- Roast and Ground Coffee Export License: For exporters of roasted and ground coffee. Valid for one year.
- ICO Certificate of Origin: Mandatory for every export consignment to verify coffee origin.
- Certificate of Radioactivity Analysis: Issued by the Uganda Atomic Energy Commission (UAEC) to confirm that coffee is radiation-free.
Need for the License
This license is essential for Uganda’s coffee exporters as it ensures that only certified, quality-compliant businesses participate in international trade. It supports traceability, promotes standards, and protects Uganda’s coffee reputation in global markets.
The coffee export license Uganda also allows exporters to access premium international buyers, benefit from UCDA’s market facilitation, and operate within the legal framework of the country’s coffee industry.
