Uganda is a small, land-locked country in East Africa though water is one of its many touristic features. Amongst its fabled waterways are:
Lakes Victoria, Albert, Edward, and George
Murchison Falls
Victoria Nile River
This East African country also boasts some notable mountain ranges - Rwenzori Mountains also known as the white-capped Mountains of the Moon - and an abundance of big-game wildlife, including its famed mountain gorillas.
Perhaps not surprisingly, Uganda's economy has traditionally been cash-driven resulting in only 5.5 million bank accounts for 42 million citizens. However, due to modern technology, Ugandans have 25 million mobile money accounts, and enjoy an ever increasing rate of internet penetration. Combined with the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ugandan e-commerce activity has sprouted.
As British English the official language of Uganda, it should be jolly good to do business from Canada.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Uganda through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Uganda. in case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Uganda
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Apr 3, 2023
8:49 am
Tororo, TO, UG
Delivered
Apr 2, 2023
7:18 am
Arua, AR, UG
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
9:03 pm
Mbale, MB, UG
International Clearance
Apr 1, 2023
8:14 am
Kampala, KA, UG
In transit
Apr 1, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Mar 31, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Uganda before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
All gift shipments to Uganda from Canada will incur tax regardless of value. There are no exemptions.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Uganda will be charged tax no matter the value of the gift.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to a business in Uganda will incur tax regardless of its value. There are no exemptions.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A shipment of gifts from a business in Canada to an individual in Uganda is taxable and dutiable no matter its value. There is no tax exemption on gifts entering Uganda.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If your shipment has more than one gift, be sure to tag and wrap each one separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Personal effects may be shipped to Uganda from Canada exempt from duty when an individual is changing residence.
Personal effects include:
Clothing and footwear
Furniture and appliances from his or her household in Canada
Used personal items
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily to Uganda to study.
Non-Students
People shipping personal effects for a temporary stay in Uganda should be able to do so without paying tax.
However, an unusually large shipment may cause questioning and inspection by customs officials.
Moving Permanently
Ugandans returning to live permanently in Uganda from Canada may ship their personal effects duty-free.
Personal effects include:
Used personal items
Appliances and furniture
Footwear and clothing
NOTE:
A deceased person's personal effects may also enter Uganda exempt from duty.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Samples of goods are shipped to promote products and elicit sales.
Commercial samples may enter Uganda from Canada exempt from duty providing they have no commercial value and are clearly not imported as merchandise for sale.
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
There is no information at this time regarding shipping advertising material to Uganda from Canada.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment repaired in Canada may re-enter Uganda exempt from duty providing they do so within 1 year of their exportation from Uganda.
Items Under Warranty
Equipment and items under warranty that are repaired in Uganda and returned to Canada will be exempt from GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
An item no longer under warranty that is shipped to Uganda for repair will incur GST on the value of the repair and on any parts required for the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Uganda
Items sent to Uganda from Canada for repair will be exempt from Ugandan importation duty.
Returning Repaired Product to Uganda
Products repaired in Canada and returned to Uganda will be duty-free upon re-entry to Uganda if it returns in less than a year from its Ugandan departure to Canada.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Uganda or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods shipped temporarily to Uganda may enter the country exempt from duty providing they stay only 12 months in Uganda and are then returned to Canada.
Typical goods shipped as a temporary import may be:
Machinery and items for repair
Commercial samples for display at a trade fair or exhibition
Items for a sports event or artistic production
ATA Carnets
At this time, Uganda does not recognise ATA Carnets for temporary importation of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Parcels containing sold goods with a value of $50 USD or less (about $65 CAD) may enter Uganda duty and VAT free.
Occasional Shipper
If you only occasionally ship sold goods to Uganda, and the shipment's value is $50 USD or less (about $65 CAD), it will be exempt from VAT and duty.
Regular shipper
If you are a regular shipper of sold goods to Uganda, we suggest that you consult a licenced Uganda customs broker.
The importer will be required to complete form C17 (Import Declaration Form) and, depending on the goods, may also need to submit an import permit or licence.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
John Akii-Bua c/o Celebrity Fitness Namboole Stadium Kampala Uganda
Phone: +256 751 409841
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 31 Mar 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Uganda. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Uganda, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods declared prohibited may not enter Uganda whereas restricted imports are allowed entry to the country but must obey a quantity limit or other rules.
Prohibited Items
Cosmetics and soaps with mercury
Counterfeit or pirated items
Narcotic drugs and chemicals harmful to human health
Toy guns and knives
Obscene, indecent, or pornographic material in any form
Restricted Goods
Ivory and its products
Products made from endangered species (both plants and animals)
Uganda employs the CIF value of a shipment to calculate the duty and taxes owing. CIF is the sum of the customs value plus insurance charge plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of your parcel, you will be able to estimate the VAT and duty owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
The threshold for duty and VAT payment is USD $50 (about $65 CAD). This is also known as the de minimis value and means that for shipments below this amount, no VAT or duty will be incurred.
Currency
Ugandan Shilling UGX
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
USD$50 (about $65 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
18%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
USD$50 (about $65 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Uganda imposes excise duties on the import of:
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Juices made from fruits or vegetables
Perfumes and cosmetics
Specific details for these goods may be found here.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Uganda from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
