Uganda is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of Africa’, and is located at the heart of the African continent. Its official languages are Swahili and English. Known as a cultural melting pot, moving to Uganda will expose you to a wealth of diverse music, food, social life, arts and crafts.
If you’re moving to Uganda, you might be pleased to hear the country is home to a very tropical climate, with long spells of rain most common during the months of March to May, and October to November (light rain season). In between these two periods are Uganda’s dry seasons.
Nairobi has a sizable Ugandan community, whereas Kampala has a sizable Kenyan community. It is no secret that Kenya and Uganda are good neighbors and significant trading partners. There may be a connection because these two countries have a lot in common culturally. In addition, both nations are founding members of the East African Community (EAC), which significantly positively impacts commerce and bilateral relations.
In addition, there are many alluring reasons for a Kenyan resident to cross the border and relocate to Uganda:
· Over 50,000 Kenyans attend university in Uganda.
· Top investors in Uganda are businesspeople and companies from Kenya.
· The largest market for Kenyan products in 2020 was Uganda.
· Kenya, which was the second-largest market for Ugandan goods in 2020, is also a significant market.
· Officials from the Ugandan government are providing tax breaks and free land to investors from Kenya.
Additionally, as work permits allowing Kenyan nationals to work in Uganda and vice versa is freely available, citizens of either country can take advantage of the finest possibilities available in both.
1. This Is Still an International Move
Even though Kenya and Uganda are close neighbors and only a short flight apart, your move will nonetheless be across international borders.
As a result, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will compel you to abide by particular import and export laws about household items and personal effects.
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Used Personal Effects and Household Goods are Tax-Free in Uganda
Your used household items and personal things are treated as duty-free even though all non-diplomatic shipments to Uganda are subject to inspection and verification as long as:
- They are used and older than a year.
- You satisfy the exemption requirements, which call for imports to occur within 90 days of the issuing of the work permit for foreign nationals or since arrival into Uganda for returning residents.
Consumables like food, cosmetics, and perfumes are not regarded as used for personal effects by URA. These products are therefore subject to tariffs and taxes.
You will be charged on any household items and personal possessions that are older than a year if you are a non-diplomat or a returning Ugandan. These ‘new’ things will be assigned by URA:
- duty equal to about 25% of their estimated worth
- VAT of 18%
- A 6% import duty
Additionally, Uganda only permits one sort of duty-free purchase of domestic electrical equipment. Duplicate appliances will incur the appropriate taxes.
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100% physical verification of the goods is required for customs clearance
URA will subject your shipment to 100% verification during customs clearance as long as it is not a diplomatic shipment. The authority will apply the proper duties and taxes if it discovers any brand-new items in your shipment.
To determine the value of the items being shipped into Uganda a packing list in English is required and an evaluation value list for the goods.
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Kenyans Need to Have Ugandan Work Permits
Kenyans moving to Uganda for work require Ugandan work permits, just like any foreign nationals working there.
Uganda has eliminated work permit payments for citizens of the Republics of Kenya and Rwanda, therefore Kenyans moving to Uganda can do so without paying anything.
Only online applications through Uganda’s Electronic Visa/Permit Application System are accepted for the necessary work permits.
The original Ugandan work visa must be secured before importing the furniture and personal effects. The permit is necessary for customs clearance and a letter from the Ugandan employer certifying the relocating Kenyan’s employment contract.
After obtaining a work permit, Ugandan officials allow you three months to import all of your used household items and personal belongings. Any subsequent deliveries of products will need full payment of all taxes and tariffs.
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Customs Interview Attendance is Required
Non-diplomats moving to Uganda must all appear in person for a URA interview at the border or point of entry.
The purpose of the interview is to confirm that household items are not entering Uganda when one has not moved there and to make sure that relocating individuals enter Uganda either ahead of their goods or concurrently with them.
You must bring your original passport to the interview, and it must be stamped with an entry stamp from Uganda. Additionally, you must be prepared with your work permit and proof of yellow fever immunization.
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The Kenya-Uganda Border is Normally Where Customs Clearance Is Performed
There are five locations along the Kenya-Uganda border where travelers can enter either nation:
- Busia
- Suam
- Malaba
- Lokitanyala
- Lwakhakha
The Busia and Malaba checkpoints are the two primary ones among these.
Only the land border crossing sites at Busia and Malaba in Kenya and Uganda have the necessary technology to handle digital papers and manage huge numbers of travelers. Busia and Malaba are often where customs clearance is completed. The Kenya-Uganda Border is Typically Where Customs Clearance Is Performed.
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You must designate a customs broker or clearing agent on the URA Portal
Your customs documentation should be prepared and your consignment should comply with all applicable Ugandan legislation, according to the customs broker or clearing agent you designate on the URA portal.
You can always get in contact with a reputable company that specializes in assisting customers with their relocation from Kenya to Uganda if you’re not sure whom to trust with the tough work of clearing your shipment through customs.
Companies that specialize in shipping and moving, like Kings & Queens Movers, which provides free moving advice for Uganda, have a history of working with reputable Ugandan clearing agents and can be a great help.
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Before customs clearance, returning Ugandan citizens must pay any outstanding taxes or penalties
Before their shipping truck arrives at the border, Ugandan citizens who are returning to their home country must confirm their status with the URA Domestic Taxes department.
If returning nationals in any East African nation have unfiled returns, unpaid taxes, or any other outstanding difficulties with their local tax departments, they may be forced to deal with unpleasant last-minute surprises when entering their home country.
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A URA Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Is Required for Everyone
To help people comply with their tax obligations, Uganda issues each potential taxpayer in the nation with a personal, ten-digit identification number known as a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
No matter how many tax transactions a taxpayer has, they are all subject to the legal obligation of having a TIN. It allows you to:
- exporting or importing products into and out of Uganda
- Claim any tax benefits you are entitled to, such as tax refunds.
- Control your account on the URA website.
- from any government agency, obtain a license.
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Move to Uganda Can Be Completed Within 5 Days or Less
From the day packing starts to the delivery and last-minute house set up in Uganda’s Kampala, Entebbe, or Jinja cities, the move from Kenya can be completed in six days or fewer.
However, in order to transfer within this time frame, migrating Kenyans must have sent the necessary paperwork to their employer via express mail 10 days prior to the shipment’s arrival at Ugandan customs. The employer will have enough time to request a duty-free exemption certificate on their behalf.
Basically, you’ll need the following paperwork to bring home furnishings and personal items into Uganda:
- Authentic passport
- Visa
- URA TIN
- Work Permit Letter from an Employer in Uganda or Evidence of a Work Contract
- A residence permit and an immigration permit
- Two genuine sets of the bill of lading
- English-language packing list
- A certified change of address certificate
- Valued inventory list that includes item serial numbers and original invoices
Your home items will likely be transported from Kenya to Uganda by road, so you’ll want to be sure they are packed in accordance with international regulations.
Your mind will be at ease and your household belongings will arrive in excellent shape if you select a moving and relocation service provider who is competent and experienced in moving within East Africa. Border crossing doesn’t have to be difficult!
