Import Japanese Cars to Uganda

Complete Import Regulations & Procedures Guide

Uganda is RHD. 15-year manufacture cap. Land at Mombasa, clear with URA in Uganda, UNBS inspection. Environmental levy on older units....

Market access

Age-capped

Last verified: August 2026

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Year Rules

Ports

Inspection

Taxes

Documents

Official sources

Year Restriction

Maximum 15 years from manufacture

Shipping Time

10-14 weeks

Year Restrictions

Maximum 15 years from manufacture

Uganda is RHD. Used motor vehicles older than 15 years from manufacture are treated as prohibited imports. A 2026 proposal to cut the cap to 13 years was withdrawn; the 15-year framework remained in force. Age is the manufacture date. Vehicles that are still within 15 years can still pay an environmental levy once they pass the older-vehicle threshold (commonly from 8–9 years — confirm the current URA rate).

Destination Port & Shipping Information

Main Destination Port

Mombasa (then Kampala)

Alternative Ports:

Mombasa
Dar es Salaam

Japan cars almost always land at Mombasa and move in bond to Malaba/Busia then Kampala. Some cargo uses Dar es Salaam. Final URA assessment is in Uganda.

Shipping Duration:

10-14 weeks

Sea to Mombasa plus inland transit and URA/UNBS clearance. Allow extra time at the Kenya–Uganda border.

Vessel Schedule & Shipping Lines

Shipping Frequency:

Monthly RoRo to Mombasa

Preferred Shipping Lines:

NYK
MOL
K Line

Inspection Requirements

Inspection is Required

Inspection Type:

UNBS used-vehicle inspection (US 845 / PVoC or destination inspection)

Inspection Details:

UNBS inspects used motor vehicles against Uganda Standard US 845. Pre-export inspection may apply depending on the current PVoC contract; otherwise destination inspection is used. Confirm the appointed Japan inspector with UNBS before loading.

Last verified & official sources

Last verified: August 2026 — rules and rates change; confirm with the authority before you buy.

URA
UNBS

Official calculator / procedures

Import Duties & Taxes

Import Duty

25% of CIF (EAC CET, passenger cars)

VAT

18% VAT on (CIF + duty + excise/levy as applicable)

Other Taxes

Excise on motor vehicles (engine-based). Environmental levy on older used cars (URA). Withholding tax may apply. Inland Kenya transit charges are extra.

Planning figure only

~50.0%

Not the customer's bill. Valuation, engine, and age change the amount.

Tax Calculation Details:

URA values used cars with its motor-vehicle valuation tools. Do not use withdrawn 13-year / graduated-levy proposals. Check the live URA motor vehicle tax calculator.

Treat stacked percentages as a planning range only. Use the official calculator or procedures page or a licensed clearing agent before you bid.

Required Documentation

Documents for Individual Importers:

URA TIN
Passport / ID
Export Certificate
Bill of Lading
Commercial Invoice

Documents for Company Importers:

URA TIN
Company documents
Commercial Invoice
Bill of Lading
UNBS inspection

Important Notes

Official / primary: URA (ura.go.ug) motor vehicle clearance and tax calculator; UNBS US 845 and used-vehicle inspection notices (unbs.go.ug). EAC CET 25% import duty on passenger cars. Confirm environmental levy percentage on the current Finance Act.

Helpful Tips

1) Manufacture date must stay inside 15 years including sea time.
2) Budget environmental levy on 8+ year cars.
3) Arrange UNBS/PVoC before or at destination as currently required.
4) Use a clearing agent who handles Mombasa–Malaba transit.

Import Regulations Overview

Uganda is RHD. 15-year manufacture cap. Land at Mombasa, clear with URA in Uganda, UNBS inspection. Environmental levy on older units.

Step by step: (1) Confirm manufacture year ≤ 15. (2) Buy. (3) Inspection as required by UNBS. (4) RoRo to Mombasa. (5) Transit to Uganda. (6) URA taxes and levy. (7) Registration.