Porhibited And Restricted Items

UPS Canada (Uganda)


Additional Import Documentation
For a shipment valued over 500 USD, additional documentation is required. The importers code, pin number, original commercial invoice, copy of the waybill, packing list and an import entry must be duly endorsed by Customs. All of the above documentation must be provided by the consignee upon receipt of the Customs deposit form.

Exemption from paying duty may be granted if the appropriate forms are signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the responsible commission. This procedure must be done prior to the shipments arriving in Uganda to avoid unnecessary delays.

Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

A Packing List is required.

Information needed is a detailed list of all the items being shipped as per the commercial invoice.

Shipments valued over 92 USD normally require a Customs entry but usually can clear Customs. Indicate on the proforma invoice values of less than 80 USD, otherwise do not declare value.
Additional Export Documentation
No Information found on this topic for the selected country or territory.
Additional Clearance Information
Documents required to facilitate clearance are;

Commercial Invoice- Pack lists- Proof of payments(Receipts from the suppliers)- Airway bill - Consignee email address & valid mobile phone number- TIN (Tax Identification number) for consignee.

All the above needs to be scanned in IDIS to enhance clearance prior to arrival of any shipment.

Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.
UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should always be provided.

Areas Served
Service is provided to and from every address in the country or territory.
UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should always be provided.

Sunday, and official holidays.
Although UPS sub-contractor works as normal on Saturday, no deliveries can be made as most companies close by 12:00.
Spring +0200/ Fall +0200
English, Swahili
Uganda Shilling(UGX)
Billing Options
  • Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
  • When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.
  • Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
    • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories. For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).
  • When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges.
Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Uganda. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Data shipments require an invoice with the value of the CD-ROM or disk only.
Only one piece is allowed to import as a sample shipment. Otherwise, it is a dutiable shipment.
Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.
Gift Exemptions
0.00 Uganda Shilling UGX
no gift exemption
no gift exemption

There are no rules regarding gift shipments.

Customs charges duty and tax for high value shipments (for example, computer equipment, software, video equipment, and cassettes).

Gifts are limited to one commodity per individual.

Invoice Requirements
Non-document shipments to Uganda must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice. The Invoice must be written in English or Swahili.

The consignee's telephone number, mobile number and email address, if available, should appear on the invoice.


Items Classified as Documents

The destination country or territory considers the following items document shipments. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet the criteria to be considered a document shipment.

Validated airline tickets are classified as documents. Blank airline tickets are prohibited.
Classified as documents if not in a frame.
Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents.

Event tickets coming from a printing company and sent to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.


UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.
Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Uganda.

Kenya Airways (used by UPS to ship to and from Kenya) have advised there is a permanent embargo on all lithium batteries (including items that have lithium batteries within the commodity) being accepted to travel on small package service as Courier. This applies to all shipments, even if they are packed in accordance to groups 965, 966, 967, 968, 969 and 970.

These have to be rebooked to move as Freight mode causing additional time in transit.

New diskettes
Commercial films
The UPS Nairobi hub in Kenya cannot transit any package that has liquid content item on a Small Package basis. This applies to all types of items in liquid form.

Kenya airways(KQ) has restricted this movement on courier mode and packages should only be moved on airfreight mode(SCS) direct to destination.

It will also not be able to RTS such packages as Kenya Airways is used for all exports too.

Please note: This applies to transit volumes, not Kenya import but also from Cologne, Dubai and Johannesburg hubs.

Category PI 965 of Lithium Ion Batteries-Lithium cells or battery only-cannot be forwarded with commercial carriers to Uganda.
Personal effects cannot be shipped between these countries or territories.
Blank stationery
Unused traveler's checks
Saturday Delivery Available

Saturday Delivery Available: No

Service Options

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

  • UPS Worldwide Expedited
  • UPS Worldwide Express Saver
Special Clearance Requirements
New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory.
Value Limits

Private Shipments

  • 50.00 US Dollar (USD)
    • In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.The Customs authorities may revalue commodities in cases where they are considered to be undervalued.

    Commercial Shipments

  • 50.00 US Dollar (USD)
    • In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.The Customs authorities may revalue commodities in cases where they are considered to be undervalued.

    Weight and Size Limits
    31.50 kg (69.4 lbs.)  per package
    274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package
    419 cm (165 in. ) per package
    Length and girth combined


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