Import/Export

Miscellaneous

For charges made for Export Shipments from United Kingdom to the destination country or territory, please refer to Brokerage Services and Charges-Export Shipments with United Kingdom as the destination.

Driving Licenses

Valid Driving Licenses can be shipped as documents. The description must clearly state 'driving license'. Shipping driving licenses require the approval of the UK customs authorities. A delay of minimum one day has to be calculated.

Please check the import related information if driving licenses are allowed for importation.

Mobile phones to all destinations from United Kingdom can be delayed on export due to security checks from government bodies.

MSDS-NON DG

Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

Packing List

A Packing List is required.

Information needed is a detailed list of all the items being shipped as per the commercial invoice.

Pro Forma Invoice

Shipments valued over 92 USD normally require a Customs entry but usually can clear Customs. Indicate on the proforma invoice values of less than 80 USD, otherwise do not declare value.

SED-(New Electronic Export System)

Export procedure ex United Kingdom

A formal electronic export declaration must be sent to customs authorities by the exporter or their representative. Customs authorities grant the release for export and issue an Export Accompanying Document (EAD) with a unique Movement Reference Number (MRN). UPS operated simplified procedures allowing export formalities to be completed upto 14 days after export.

Informal Declarations
An informal declaration is possible for shipments up to a national threshold. The informal declaration is based on the invoice value and is restricted to shipments not subject to prohibitions and restrictions (for example, embargo regulations) or special export procedures (for example, temporary export). The informal clearance will be done by UPS at the point of exit.

National Requirements
Shipments up to a value of 873.00 GBP can be declared informally on the basis of the invoice.

The EORI (European Union Registration and Identification) number needs to be included with the Invoice for any shipment with value exceeding 873.00 GBP. The EORI number can be obtained by the shipper using website link: www.gov.uk/EORI

UPS service
UPS offers the service to prepare export declarations on behalf of the exporter without additional fees.

Passports

Valid passports can be shipped as documents. The description must clearly state 'passport'. Shipping passports require the approval of the UK customs authorities. A delay of minimum one day has to be calculated.

Please check the import related information if passports are allowed for importation.

Custom Requirements

Documents required to facilitate clearance are;

 Commercial Invoice- Pack lists- Proof of payments(Receipts from the suppliers)- Airway bill - Consignee email address & valid mobile phone number- TIN (Tax Identification number) for consignee.

All the above needs to be scanned in IDIS to enhance clearance prior to arrival of any shipment.

Duty and Taxes

Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.

Post Office Boxes

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should always be provided.

Service is provided to and from every address in the country or territory.

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should always be provided.

Rest Days:

Sunday, and official holidays.

Although UPS sub-contractor works as normal on Saturday, no deliveries can be made as most companies close by 12:00.

GMT:

Spring +0200/ Fall +0200

Language:

English, Swahili

Currency:

Uganda Shilling(UGX)

Shipping Charges

• Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
• When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.

Duties and Taxes

• Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
• When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
• If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.

Third-Party Billing

• Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
  • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories as well as to UPS domestic services in the United Kingdom.For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).

Payment Methods

• When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges.

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Uganda. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Bank Cards

Bank Cards which are requested to be sent out of the United Kingdom should be declared for referral to HMRC and await their approval to send.

CD Roms

An invoice is required on all shipments containing a CD-Rom/Disk. Invoice should indicate the value of the Recording Media (eg. CDR/DVD) & the Intellectual/statistical value of the software/data separately

Intercompany Data on CD-Rom/Disk

Data shipments require an invoice with the value of the CD-ROM or disk only.

Passports

Passports which are requested to be sent out of the United Kingdom should be declared for referral to HMRC and await their approval to send.

Samples

Only one piece is allowed to import as a sample shipment. Otherwise, it is a dutiable shipment.

Shipment value amount:

0.00 Uganda Shilling UGX

Shipment type:

no gift exemption

Exemption rule:

no gift exemption

There are no rules regarding gift shipments.

Customs charges duty and tax for high value shipments (for example, computer equipment, software, video equipment, and cassettes).

Gifts are limited to one commodity per individual.

Invoice

Non-document shipments to Uganda must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice. The Invoice must be written in English or Swahili.

The consignee's telephone number, mobile number and email address, if available, should appear on the invoice.

The destination country or territory considers the following items document shipments. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet the criteria to be considered a document shipment.

Airline Tickets

Validated airline tickets are classified as documents. Blank airline tickets are prohibited.

Annual Reports

Bids

Blueprints

Checks (Non-negotiable checks)

Computer Print-Outs

Diplomas

Classified as documents if not in a frame.

Drawings

Drivers License

Event Tickets

Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents.

Event tickets coming from a printing company and sent to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.

Examination Papers

Forms (Blank)

Graphs

Greeting Cards, Invitations

Intercompany Mail

Negotiable Bonds, Drafts

Visa Applications

UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Uganda.

Antiques

Antique shipments are restricted from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and can only be shipped with an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract. Antiques are defined as a work of art, piece of furniture, decorative object, or silverware that is 100 years old or older.

Artwork

Artwork shipments are restricted from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and can only be shipped with an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract.

Paintings or other works of art can be accepted if the artist is still alive, the artwork is replaceable and an art dealer or gallery has appraised the artwork within the last year. If the declared value of the artwork is greater than $100.00 and there is a claim, the shipper must provide a copy of the original invoice, a bill of sale, or other proof certifying in writing the actual cost or replacement cost of the item.

Artwork includes the following: Original engravings, prints, lithographs, original sculptures, statuary.

The term "Artwork" does not apply to: architectural, engineering, industrial, topographical, commercial drawings, hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles.

Batteries

Kenya Airways (used by UPS to ship to and from Kenya) have advised there is a permanent embargo on all lithium batteries (including items that have lithium batteries within the commodity) being accepted to travel on small package service as Courier. This applies to all shipments, even if they are packed in accordance to groups 965, 966, 967, 968, 969 and 970.

These have to be rebooked to move as Freight mode causing additional time in transit.

Diskettes

New diskettes

Envelopes (Blank)

Films

Commercial films

Labels

Liquids

The UPS Nairobi hub in Kenya cannot transit any package that has liquid content item on a Small Package basis. This applies to all types of items in liquid form.

Kenya airways(KQ) has restricted this movement on courier mode and packages should only be moved on airfreight mode(SCS) direct to destination.

It will also not be able to RTS such packages as Kenya Airways is used for all exports too.

Please note: This applies to transit volumes, not Kenya import but also from Cologne, Dubai and Johannesburg hubs.

Lithium Batteries

Category PI 965 of Lithium Ion Batteries-Lithium cells or battery only-cannot be forwarded with commercial carriers to Uganda.

Mobile Telephones

Mobile phones to all destination countries from United Kingdom can be delayed on export due to security checks from government bodies.

Personal Effects

Personal Effects cannot be shipped between these countries or territories

Stationery (Blank)

Blank stationery

Traveler's Checks

Unused traveler's checks

Saturday Delivery Available: No

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

United Kingdom to Uganda

• UPS Worldwide Expedited
  ((England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland))

• UPS Worldwide Express Saver

• WorldWide Economy DDU

Outward Processing (after repair)

Outward Processing Relief (goods exported from the UK for the purpose of repair)

The outward processing relief starts with the export from the UK and will be discharged with the re-importation of the repaired goods. Both steps need to be identified by UPS export or import operation. Repair Goods: Goods requiring Export from the UK for repair Invoice requirements:

• Statement stating "Goods being sent for repair under Outward Processing Relief" should be clearly marked on the commercial invoice
• Provide serial number of goods being sent for repair. If the goods are not serialized a statement to this effect must be made on the commercial invoice
• Exporters authorized to export under OPR must include their authority number on all paperwork
• Provide correct commercial value of goods as originally paid for not a nominal value for the goods.

Failure to provide any of the above information will result in shipments being delayed.

Repaired goods: Goods being re-exported returned after repair in the UK Invoice requirements:

• Invoice should clearly state "Goods have been repaired under IPR"
• Provide either IP authorization number or Import entry details
• Provide full commercial value of goods plus cost of repair

Failure to provide any of the above information will result in shipments being delayed.

Solid Wood Packing Material

New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory.

Import value limits to Uganda

Deminimis Value

Private Shipments

• 50.00 US Dollar (USD)

In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.The Customs authorities may revalue commodities in cases where they are considered to be undervalued.

Commercial Shipments

• 50.00 US Dollar (USD)

In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.The Customs authorities may revalue commodities in cases where they are considered to be undervalued.

Maximum weight:

31.50 kg (69.4 lbs.)  per package

Maximum length:

274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package

Maximum dimensions:

400.00 cm (157.5 in.)  per package
Length and girth combined

Convert metric quantity for weight, length, and area.