What is the age limit for importing Japanese cars to Uganda?

Max 8 years from year of first registration

Import Japanese Car to Uganda — Complete Guide 2026

Q: What documents do I need to import a car from Japan to Uganda?

JEVIC Inspection Certificate, Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance, Uganda Revenue Authority customs docs

Age Limit

Max 8 years

Manufactured 2018 or later

Import Duty

~60% total

~60%+ total: 25% import duty + 18% VAT + excise duty + environmental levy

Steering Side

RHD

Right-hand drive only. Drives on the left.

Transit Time

25–30 days (including inland transit)

From Japanese port to Uganda

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Uganda's 8-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Mombasa (Kenya) then road to Kampala 🚢 Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) then road

📋 Required Documents

📄JEVIC Inspection Certificate

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

📄Uganda Revenue Authority customs docs

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Select RHD vehicle under 8 years

Get JEVIC inspection in Japan

Ship to Mombasa (Uganda is landlocked)

Clear Kenyan customs with transit documents

Clear URA (Uganda Revenue Authority) at border

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

~60%+ total: 25% import duty + 18% VAT + excise duty + environmental levy

⚠️ Important: Duty rates change regularly. The figures above are based on 2026 rates and are for guidance only. Always confirm current rates with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in Uganda before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Vehicles over 8 years not allowed

⛔LHD vehicles not permitted

⛔Must be RHD

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

JEVIC pre-shipment inspection required

🛡️ Safety Guide — Before You Buy

Always verify the auction sheet first. Get the original JP Sheet verification report before committing to any vehicle — confirms grade, mileage, accident history and all damage marks.
Check for flood damage. The Japanese inspector notes the word 冠水 (flood) in the auction sheet notes section. This is only visible with a full translation — never skip translation if buying for an important purpose.
Use a licensed freight forwarder who specifically handles Japan-to-Uganda imports. They know local customs requirements, common delays and documentation pitfalls.
Verify the exporter. Check the company is registered, has verifiable reviews, and provides a full paper trail including export certificate and shipping documents.
Never pay full price before the car ships. A deposit is normal — paying 100% before shipping is a major fraud risk.
Check the chassis number matches across all documents — auction sheet, export certificate, bill of lading and invoice must all carry the same number.

💡 Import Tips for Uganda

Uganda is landlocked — all vehicles come through Mombasa, Kenya or Dar es Salaam. Budget for the Kenya/Tanzania transit fees on top of Uganda duties. The journey from Mombasa to Kampala takes 2–3 days by road.