The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has made changes to its policies regarding imported used motor vehicles. Starting from November 2, 2023, all vehicles destined for Uganda must undergo a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) before being shipped into the country. UNBS issued this guideline through a notice from its Acting Executive Director, Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama.
The directive applies to imported used motor vehicles from various countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and others. The PVoC inspection must be carried out by service providers approved by UNBS before importation.
For vehicles imported between September 23, 2023, and November 1, 2023, they will undergo destination inspection. An inspection fee of USD 140 or its equivalent will be charged before the vehicles are released from customs-controlled areas. However, no additional fees will be incurred at the port of entry.
Vehicles arriving in Uganda without Certificates of Roadworthiness will face a penalty of 15% of their CIF value. They will also undergo destination inspection, requiring payment of USD 140 for each vehicle before an Import Clearance Certificate is issued.
This change in UNBS policy signifies a shift away from relying on foreign companies for technical inspection assistance, which could potentially impact the pricing of used vehicles in the Ugandan market. While the notice did not specify the new approved PVOC service providers, UNBS had previously worked with companies like East Africa Auto Mobile, Jabal Kilimanjaro Auto Mech, and Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre, whose contracts expired in 2018.
The Uganda Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, administered by UNBS, aims to ensure that products entering the Ugandan market meet safety and quality standards. In the case of used vehicles, this change is also intended to safeguard the country’s population and environment from potentially hazardous vehicles.
