Automatic products

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

Import licensing (or certification) system is regulated by the External Trade Act. The licensing (certification) system is administered by the Directorate of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

2

Product coverage

Imports of all categories are subject to automatic licensing (and which are not on the Negative List of Banned Imports).

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Automatic import licensing (certification) is mainly for statistical and record purposes, handling of trade enquiries and guidance in decision-making.

Non-Automatic

4

If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime

5

Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

6

Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

The certification system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries

8

Expected duration of licensing procedure

Eligibility of applicants

12

Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?

13

What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?

All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

16

Ministry/Authority

Directorate of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Trade and Industry

17

Address

Plot No. 6/8 Parliamentary Avenue, P.O. Box 7103, Kampala

18

Telephone

19

Fax

20

E-mail address

21

Website

22

Contact officer

Submission of an application

23

Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

A sample application form is available for reference in the Ministry.

25

What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

An importer is required to submit the following documents:
-Certificate of Registration or Incorporation of the company/firm;
- A trade licence (wholesale or retail).

Window of submission of an application

26

How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?

Application for a licence can be made any time during a working day.

27

Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain

There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

Licences are always granted immediately on request.

29

Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence

Licences can be obtained within a shorter time-limit (2-3 hours) or for goods arriving at the port of entry without a licence.

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

31

Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?

An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application.

32

Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?

There are no special conditions attached to the issuance of a licence.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

Yes

34

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

There is a licensing fee or administrative charge of U Sh 1,500 per licence (about US$1.25).

35

Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?

There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.

36

Amount or rate?

37

Is it refundable?

38

What is the period of retention?

39

What is the purpose of this requirement?

Refusal of an application

40

Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?

None.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

The reasons for any refusal are given to the applicant in writing and normally relate to the goods on the Negative List of Banned Imports.

42

Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?

43

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Importation

44

Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?

There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

46

Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing requirements prior to importation.

Conditions of licensing

47

What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?

A licence is valid for six months from the date of issue and is automatically extended for a further six months. Thereafter the validity can be extended as and when the applicant so wishes.

48

Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?

There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.

49

Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Licences are not transferable between importers.

Foreign Exchange

50

Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?

Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported, on payment of local currency equivalent.

51

Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?

52

Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

53

What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?