Vehicle Imports & Exports
One operator, one file, one invoice. From the seller's yard in Japan, UAE, UK, or Europe to your bonded release in Kampala.
The full import chain.
Not just the ocean leg.
→ Port → Bond
Most vehicle import arrangements are fragmented. At each hand-off, a new vendor opens and the accountability chain breaks. Granite Gate operates the import as a single file with one named owner end to end.
Outside this service
Vehicle purchase / sourcing
Referrals to vetted partners available on request.
Post-clearance UVIS registration
We provide all documentation. Registration is the owner's step.
Vehicle finance or insurance
How a vehicle import runs
through Granite Gate.
Eight stages. One operator across all of them. The file opens with a quote and closes with a signed release.
Quote and scope
You tell us the vehicle, origin, and destination. We return a full landed-cost estimate including freight, clearance, duty, and last-mile within four working hours.
Origin handling
We coordinate with the seller or exporter on documentation, pre-export inspection booking through an EAA-approved agent, and cargo ready date.
Ocean freight booking
We book the ocean leg, RORO or container based on your instruction and vehicle type. Bill of lading issued in your name or as instructed.
Transit and tracking
The vessel is tracked from origin. You receive a sailing confirmation, an estimated arrival date, and updates at each checkpoint.
Port handling
On arrival at Mombasa or Dar es Salaam, we handle discharge, port clearance, and yard storage ahead of customs processing.
Customs clearance
URA import entry filed. Duty computed against current URA valuation. UNBS inspection coordinated. All documentation prepared and filed without client intervention.
Inland transit
Vehicle moves from port to Kampala under Granite Gate inland transit. Tracked. Signed at Malaba or Mutukula border crossing. Delivered to the bonded warehouse.
Bonded release and delivery
Vehicle released from bond against duty-paid documentation. Final delivery to your premises or handover at the bond. Full documentation pack issued on release.
All timings are estimates. Actual transit depends on vessel schedule, port congestion, customs processing time, and holiday periods. Your file owner will confirm live estimates at booking.
We handle
the full range.
From single passenger vehicles to fleet orders and heavy commercial equipment. No minimum order.
Import age limit
Uganda's current import age limit is 15 years from year of manufacture (July 2023). Applies to passenger vehicles. Confirm eligibility at quote stage.
Passenger vehicles
Saloon, SUV, hatchback, crossover
Light commercial
Pick-ups, vans, panel trucks
Heavy commercial
Trucks, rigid lorries, tractor units
Buses and coaches
School, intercity, executive
Construction and plant
Excavators, loaders, rollers
Electric and hybrid
EV and hybrid imports, duty-compliant documentation
What does a vehicle
actually cost to land?
Uganda's vehicle import duty structure has several components. We compute the full landed cost at quote stage.
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Import Duty | 25% |
| Excise Duty | 20% |
| VAT | 18% |
| Infrastructure Levy | 1.5% |
EV and hybrid vehicles may attract reduced or zero excise duty. Confirm at quote.
NGO and diplomatic vehicles may qualify for duty exemption with correct ministry documentation.
URA's assessed value may differ from the invoice value. We advise on declared value discipline.
All duty figures are current as of 2026 and subject to change with each financial year.
Every import closes
with a complete file.
No release without the full pack. No full pack without every document signed and timestamped.
Origin documents
- Export certificate from country of origin
- EAA pre-export inspection certificate
- Commercial invoice from seller
- Vehicle title or deregistration certificate
Shipping documents
- Bill of lading (original, endorsed)
- Packing list
- Marine insurance certificate
Customs & clearance
- URA import declaration (Form C32)
- Customs assessment notice
- Duty payment receipt
- UNBS roadworthiness inspection certificate
Transit & delivery
- Inland transit bond
- Delivery note (signed at handover)
- Final documentation pack (full set, issued within 48 hours of release)
For fleet imports, documentation is issued per vehicle on a single consignment manifest. The full pack is archived and available to the client on request for five years from release date.
C-2025-014
Fleet of 22 vehicles.
Yokohama to Kampala.
A Kampala-based vehicle dealership commissioned Granite Gate to manage the import of 22 used Japanese passenger vehicles. Vessels from Yokohama via Mombasa. All 22 vehicles cleared under a single consignment file. URA customs entry filed in batch. UNBS inspection coordinated at origin.
Total documentation pack: 22 individual vehicle files plus one consignment manifest. All released within four working days of vessel arrival at Mombasa.
See all consignment records
Ready to move a vehicle
or a fleet?
A full landed cost estimate within four working hours. Single units and fleet orders handled under the same file structure.
Services that travel with this one.
Most vehicle imports use two or three services. The file handles all of them.
Bonded Warehousing
Released into our bonded warehouse at Kampala. CCTV. Insured. Timestamped.
Learn more
Customs Clearance
Duty filing, URA valuation support, UNBS coordination. All in the same file.
Learn more
Last-Mile Distribution
Delivery from bond to dealer floor or fleet recipient. Signed, photographed, confirmed.
Learn more
From origin to bond.
One operator. One file.
Tell us what you need to move. A senior operator responds within four working hours, in writing.