Permits and Licences

Requirements for granting an Export or Import Licence

INTRODUCTION

Under sections 3 and 4 of the External Trade Act, Cap.88), In exercise of the powers conferred to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, The Minister may from time to time by statutory order prohibit External Trade (Restriction to importation) Order, 2022-1-2 the import of any class of goods without a licence granted under this section.

Restriction on certain imports.
(i) No licence shall be granted by the Minister for the import of any import restricted goods if in his or her opinion the import of the goods would or would be likely to prejudice any agreement or arrangement in respect of external or internal trade or currency entered into or approved by or on behalf of the Government. (ii) The Minister shall make any licence granted under this section subject to such conditions as he or she shall think necessary in order to ensure that the import of the goods in respect of which the licence is to be issued is in conformity with any agreement or arrangement in respect of external or internal trade or currency entered into or approved by or on behalf of the Government.

CLASS OF GOODS REQUIRING IMPORT LICENCE

  1. Wheat and Meslin
  2. Rice
  3. Grain Sorghum
  4. Sugars and sugar confectionery
  5. Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals of rare-earth metal
  6. Organic chemicals
  7. Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes
  8. Electrical transformers, static converters (for example rectifiers) and inductors; parts thereof
  9. True hemp “Cannabis sativa L”; raw or processed, but not spun; tow and waste of true hem
  10. Knotted netting of twine, cordage or rope; made up fishing nets
  11. Insulated “incl. enamelled or anodised” wire, cable “incl. coaxial cable” and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors.
  12. Electric welding electrodes
  13. Wheelbarrows
  14. Roofing nails
  15. Worn clothing and clothing accessories
  16. Transformers
  17. Cables

Restriction on certain exports.
(i) The Minister may from time to time by statutory order prohibit the export of any class of goods without a licence granted under this section.
(ii) No licence shall be granted by the Minister for the export of any export restricted goods if in his or her opinion the export of any such goods would be contrary to the economic interests of Uganda or would or would be likely to prejudice any agreement or arrangement in respect of external or internal trade or currency entered into or approved by or on behalf of the Government.
(iii) The Minister shall make any licence granted under this section subject to such conditions as he or she shall think necessary in order to ensure that the export of goods in respect of which the licence is to be issued is not contrary to the economic interests of Uganda and is in conformity with any agreement or arrangement in respect of internal or external trade or currency entered into or approved by or on behalf of the Government.
(iv) The Minister may, if satisfied by prima facie evidence that any export restricted goods have been unlawfully obtained from the producer of such goods, refuse to grant a licence for the export of the goods, unless the intending exporter satisfies him or her that the goods were obtained lawfully from the producer, whether or not the intending exporter himself or herself obtained the goods from the producer.
(v) The Minister may from time to time by published notice restrict the kinds, amounts, quantities or values of goods which may be exported without an export licence under subsection (5)(e) or (f).

CLASS OF GOODS REQUIRING EXPORT LICENCE

  1. Maize
  2. Sugars and sugar confectionery
  3. Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes
  4. Cocoa; beans, broken
  5. Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol or higher; ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength – in packs of less than 200mls
  6. Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% vol; spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages – – in packs of less than 200mls
  7. Raw hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split
  8. Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not with wool on or split
  9. Other raw hides and skins (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not debarred or split,
  10. Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal etc.
  11. True hemp “cannabis sativa L”; raw or processed, but not spun; tow and waste of true hem
  12. Waste polyethylene terephthalate (Pet) bottles and waste polyethylene terephthalate (Pet) granules

Requirements for application of Open General Licence to Export/Import of Goods

Please attach the following;

  1. Application Letter Detailing the quantities/volumes applied for
  2. Certificate of Incorporation/Registration in Uganda
  3. URA Registration Certificate
  4. Latest Tax Clearance Certificate
  5. Form 20 from Uganda Registration Services Bureau
  6. Valid Trading License
  7. Justification Stating why the Company/business desires to export/import the restricted product.

Application Forms

Submissions

For Submission of filled application forms should be done physically to the Office of the Commissioner External Trade on Sixth floor at Farmers’ House or electronically on email: permits@mtic.go.ug. For more information please contact 0312324268 or 0312324242.

Open General Licence to Export Import of goods Application Forms

External Trade (Restriction to importation) Order, 2022-1-2

The External Trade (Restriction of Importation and Exportation of Goods) (Amendment) Order, 2024-1 (4)-1

EXTERNAL TRADE ACT