A customs clearance certificate Uganda is an essential document for importers, humanitarian agencies, and NGOs bringing goods into the country through designated border points such as Malaba and Busia. The process, managed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), ensures that imported goods are verified, taxed (or exempted), and released according to national and international trade regulations.
This guide explains the complete customs clearance process for World Food Programme (WFP) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) handling humanitarian cargo entering Uganda by road.
Procedure
Step 1: Arrival and Inward Gate Registration
Inbound trucks first pass through Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) clearance, then queue for inspection at the Lower Inward Gate – Uganda side. The driver presents two copies of the KRA Bill of Entry (C63) for recording truck details, cargo description, and inward rotation number. This step typically takes about one hour depending on traffic.
Step 2: Yard Entry and Verification
After gate clearance, the truck enters the parking yard and receives a parking invoice. Every truck undergoes verification by three regulatory bodies — URA, Uganda Quarantine Inspection Service (UQIS), and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). This process usually takes a minimum of 30 minutes per vehicle.
Step 3: Customs Inspection by URA
The URA verifies documents and affixes a customs seal to fuel tanks to prevent misuse. WFP food items are only subjected to “sighting” verification instead of full inspection.
Step 4: Uganda Quarantine Inspection Service (UQIS)
UQIS officers inspect commodities for pests, plant diseases, and contamination. Based on findings, they may allow entry, recommend fumigation, or order destruction of infested goods. For processed food, the case is forwarded to UNBS for further quality review.
Step 5: Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Inspection
The UNBS checks imported food and relief items for conformity with national standards — including quality, shelf life, packaging, and contamination. Goods meeting standards are cleared; substandard ones are impounded, re-exported, or destroyed.
Step 6: Documentation and Payment
Once inspection is complete, the driver submits the two C63 crossing copies and a WFP or NGO waybill to the clearing office at Malaba. Transporters must pay the following:
- Road User Charges: UGX 82,200 (for Kampala), UGX 10,000 (for Tororo) plus bank charges.
- Parking Fees: UGX 10,000 per 24 hours in the old yard, UGX 12,000 in the new yard.
Payments are made through the bank using URA’s payment advice forms. Receipts are issued after approximately four hours.
Step 7: Customs Documentation (IM4 Entry)
Customs documentation starts at this point. A Customs Bill of Entry (IM4) is prepared electronically using Direct Trader Input (DTI) via the ASYCUDA World system, which transmits data instantly to the URA server.
Each Bill of Entry must include:
- Two C63 crossing copies
- WFP or NGO non-commercial invoice
- Required import certificates
Documents are submitted to UQIS and UNBS for certification, then lodged at the Customs Long-room for registration.
Step 8: Long-room Processing and Release
The entry details are registered and vetted by the Assessment Desk to confirm declared values and data accuracy. The system determines processing channels:
- Green: Automatic clearance
- Yellow/Red: Detailed inspection
Approved entries are released by the Releasing Officer and forwarded to the Separation Desk, where copies are distributed to the importer, customs station, and driver.
Step 9: Final Clearance
The driver receives a stamped customs clearance certificate and entry copy for presentation at the upper gate. Vehicles are flagged off by transport company representatives or clearing agents.
Note: For efficiency, some IM4 entries may be lodged directly at Malaba instead of Kampala’s Inland Container Depot (ICD), saving time and costs.
Required Documents
To obtain a customs clearance certificate Uganda, importers and NGOs must provide:
- Movement Certificate (Eur.1 for EU exports)
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Fumigation Certificate
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Import Permits (for restricted items)
- Road Transit Customs Document (C63)
- Proforma Invoice and Sales Agreement
Eligibility
All WFP and NGO trucks transporting relief commodities or humanitarian items into Uganda are eligible for customs clearance certification under URA supervision.
Fees
- Road User Charge: UGX 82,200 (Kampala) / UGX 10,000 (Tororo)
- Parking Fees: UGX 10,000–12,000 per truck per 24 hours
- Bank Charges: As applicable
Validity
The customs clearance certificate Uganda is valid for one year, expiring on December 31 of each year.
Processing Time
The entire customs clearance process typically takes two to three days, depending on inspection queues and document verification.
Office Location and Contact
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) – Head Office
Plot M193/M194, Nakawa Industrial Area, Kampala, Uganda
P.O. Box 7279, Kampala
Toll-Free Number: +256 800 117000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ura.go.ug
Instructions
- WFP has a blanket duty exemption on food imports.
- For non-food items, a specific tax exemption certificate must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before goods arrive.
- The exemption process usually takes a minimum of three working days, depending on ministry workload.
- For NGOs, each consignment must include a valid exemption letter or full tax payment will apply.
Required Information
- Consignor and Consignee details
- Clearing Agent name and code
- Certificate of Origin and Inspection Certificate
- Customs Procedure Code (CPC)
- Commodity Code (HS Code)
- Value, quantity, and currency
- Country of origin and shipment
- Payment account (ASYCUDA World)
Need for the Document
The customs clearance certificate Uganda is vital for verifying legal entry of goods, ensuring they meet national standards, and confirming payment or exemption of taxes and duties. It allows humanitarian agencies like WFP and NGOs to transport aid efficiently within Uganda and to neighboring countries.
Information Which Might Help
At border points such as Malaba and Busia, customs clearance for humanitarian aid involves coordination among multiple agencies — URA, UQIS, UNBS, and Kenya Revenue Authority — to ensure compliance with trade, safety, and phytosanitary standards.
For NGOs, tax exemption is granted based on government evaluation of the goods’ purpose and community benefit. Required endorsements come from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Finance, and URA before release.
