Knowledge Center
Guides on importing, PVoC, URA/UNBS clearance, shipping, and procurement.
What is PVoC in Uganda?
PVoC is Uganda's pre-export inspection programme requiring a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for many regulated imports before they leave the export country.
Read article →What is the difference between PVoC and destination inspection in Uganda?
PVoC checks goods in the export country before shipment; destination inspection happens on arrival in Uganda—often for lower-value goods or when no CoC was issued.
Read article →How does customs clearance work in Uganda?
Licensed clearing agents lodge declarations in URA's ASYCUDA World system, then taxes are paid via a Payment Registration Number (PRN) before cargo is released.
Read article →How much is import duty and VAT in Uganda?
Import duty depends on your HS code under the EAC Common External Tariff (often around 25% for finished goods), and VAT is typically 18% on customs value plus duty.
Read article →What is an EAC Certificate of Origin and when do you need one?
An EAC Certificate of Origin proves where goods were produced and can unlock reduced or zero preferential duty rates when origin rules are met.
Read article →How long does shipping from China to Uganda via Mombasa take?
Ocean transit is only part of the journey—port release, Malaba border crossing, and trucking to Kampala often add weeks beyond sailing time.
Read article →How is sea freight calculated by CBM?
Sea freight is priced by CBM (cubic metres) or revenue tonnes—CBM equals length × width × height in metres, and light bulky cargo can cost more than dense pallets.
Read article →What is the difference between sea freight and air freight?
Sea freight costs less for bulk cargo but takes weeks; air freight arrives in days at a higher cost per kilo—best for urgent or high-value shipments.
Read article →What do EXW, FOB, and CIF mean for China sourcing?
Incoterms define who pays freight and bears risk—EXW puts maximum responsibility on the buyer, FOB at the Chinese port, and CIF includes carriage and insurance to a named port.
Read article →How long does China procurement to Kampala take?
A realistic door-to-door timeline is roughly 8–12+ weeks by sea—allowing 1–2 weeks for RFQ, 3–6 for production, then ocean transit, border, and clearance.
Read article →How should you structure supplier payment for China imports?
Split payments—such as 30% deposit and 70% after inspection—reduce risk compared with 100% advance to an unverified supplier.
Read article →How do you verify a China supplier before paying?
Match the legal company name to bank details, check the license and factory address, start with a trial order, and tie balance payment to inspection.
Read article →What do you need to import into Uganda for the first time?
You need commercial documents, correct HS classification, import duty and VAT planning, and often a PVoC Certificate of Conformity for regulated goods.
Read article →What is an HS code and why does it matter?
An HS code classifies your product for customs—it determines import duty rate, VAT base, PVoC scope, and how fast clearance proceeds.
Read article →What payment options reduce China import risk?
Escrow, letters of credit, and purchase-order financing spread payment risk—pair them with supplier verification and pre-shipment inspection.
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