Country-Specific Guide
How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Uganda
Uganda is RHD with a 15-year manufacture cap. Land at Mombasa, transit to Kampala, then URA taxes and UNBS US 845 inspection — not Kenya’s 8-year ban.
Who this guide is for
Buyers importing a right-hand-drive Japanese used car into Uganda. Almost all Japan cars land at Mombasa and move in bond to Malaba or Busia, then Kampala. Final assessment is URA, not Kenya Revenue Authority.
2026 eligibility checklist
- Manufacture year within 15 years including sea and transit time. Do not bid a 2010 car for a 2026 arrival.
- RHD only for normal Ugandan roads.
- UNBS US 845 used-vehicle standard (safety/emissions). Pre-export inspection may apply depending on the current PVoC contract — confirm the appointed Japan inspector with UNBS before loading.
- Older-but-legal cars can still pay an environmental levy once they pass URA’s older-vehicle threshold (commonly from about 8–9 years). That is a tax, not a ban.
Documents you will use
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| URA TIN | Importer identity for customs entry. |
| Japanese export certificate | Manufacture year and identity. URA/UNBS read this, not the auction headline. |
| UNBS inspection evidence / CoC | US 845 compliance. |
| Bill of lading + invoice | Mombasa transit and URA entry. |
| Kenya transit documents | Bonded movement from Mombasa to the Uganda border. |
Shipping: Mombasa then Kampala
Sea time Japan–Mombasa is typically 30–45 days. Add inland transit and URA/UNBS clearance. Budget 10–14 weeks door-to-registration. Some cargo uses Dar es Salaam instead.
What you pay URA (planning, not a bill)
There is no “2× FOB” shortcut. Passenger cars often stack about 25% EAC CET import duty, then excise, then 18% VAT on CIF + duty + excise/levy as applicable. Environmental levy and withholding tax may apply. URA values used cars with its motor-vehicle valuation tools — use the official calculator before you bid.
Official starting points: URA, URA motor vehicle calculator, and UNBS.
Typical order of work
- Confirm manufacture year will still be ≤ 15 years on arrival. RHD only.
- Buy and pay FOB.
- Arrange UNBS/PVoC inspection as currently required.
- Export and RoRo to Mombasa (or Dar es Salaam).
- Transit in bond to Uganda.
- URA taxes and levy; UNBS as required; then registration.
Mistakes that stop the car
- Treating Uganda as Kenya’s 8-year first-registration ban — different rule.
- Budgeting the withdrawn 13-year / graduated-levy proposal from 2026.
- Ignoring environmental levy on 8+ year cars that are still legal.
- Clearing as a Kenyan import at Mombasa instead of transiting to URA.
Send us the chassis and manufacture year for a pre-bid check. Open the Uganda regulation page for the live tax notes.
Uganda import FAQs
Ready to import from Japan?
Tell us the destination and the vehicle. We check eligibility before you commit.