Uganda Import Procedure

Pre-Clearing Procedure

Step 1: Register to be a seed merchant and obtain certificate of registration

Body in charge and office contacts

Ministry of Agriculture
National Seed Certification Services Unit
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Seed Merchant Form

Cost (UGX)

UGX 200,000 (Annually)

Official Length of process

7 days

Step 2: Notice to import seeds

Body in charge and office contacts

Ministry of Agriculture
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Profoma Invoice.

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 day

Step 3: Obtain Plant Import Permit

Body in charge and office contacts

Ministry of Agriculture
Plant Quarantine and Inspection Services Unit
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Proforma Invoice
2. Notice to Import.

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 day

Step 4: Obtain Seed Import Permit

Body in charge and office contacts

Ministry of Agriculture
National Seed Certification Services Unit
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Proforma Invoice
2. Notice to Import
3. GMO – free certificate in some cases

Cost (UGX)

UGX. 5,000.00

Official Length of process

1 Day

Step 5: Contract a clearing agent

Body in charge and office contacts

Contact URA for the updated list of licensed clearing agents

Documents Required to complete the process

Nil

Cost (UGX)

TBD based on agent

Official Length of process

N/A

Step 6: Obtain consignment documents (UCR and IDF)

Body in charge and office contacts

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Commercial Invoice
2. Seed Import Permit

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 Day

Step 7: Foward all relevant original cargo clearance documents to clearing agent

Body in charge and office contacts

Importing Company

Documents Required to complete the process

THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS:

1. Phyto from origin
2. ISTA Certicate
3. COMESA Certificate
4. Packing List.

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

Dependent on self

Clearing Procedure

Step 8: Declare consignment and pay relevant taxes and fees

Body in charge and office contacts

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Unique consignment reference (UCR)
2. Import permit (copy)
3. Invoice (copy)

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

10 – 20 Minutes

Step 9: Declaration to the Plant Quarantine - physical inspection of the consignment

Body in charge and office contacts

Ministry of Agriculture
Plant Quarantine and Inspection Services Unit
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Documents Required to complete the process

1. Plant import permit (original)
2. Phytosanitary certificate (original) From the country of origin.
3. Notice to import – Form SR14 (original) Issued by KEPHIS.
4. ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) certificate (original) From the country of origin. (OECD, COMESA LABELS)
5. Invoice (original)
6. Certificate of Origin

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 Day

Step 10: Physical Realease of consignment

Body in charge and office contacts

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Documents Required to complete the process

Nil

Cost (UGX)

Nil

Official Length of process

7 Days