Uganda does not allow the import of cars that are 15 years or older, counted from the year of manufacture. Every car from Japan also needs a pre-export inspection for UNBS; most cars then land at Mombasa and travel by road to Uganda, where URA clears and registers them.
Key takeaways
- Cars 15 years or older from the year of manufacture cannot be imported. A 2026 bill to cut this to 13 years was withdrawn, so the 15-year rule still applies.
- Every used car needs a pre-export inspection for the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). In Japan this is done by EAA.
- Duty, taxes and an age-based environmental levy are set by URA. Use URA’s calculator or ask your clearing agent before you buy.
- Most cars reach Uganda through Mombasa, then by road via the Malaba or Busia border.
1. Check the 15-year age rule
Uganda bans the import of motor vehicles that are 15 years or older, counted from the year of manufacture. The rule is in the Traffic and Road Safety Act (Cap. 347), as amended in 2018.
In 2026, that means you should look at cars manufactured in 2012 or later. If a car is close to the limit, or will arrive near the turn of the year, confirm with URA or your clearing agent before you pay.
Note that Uganda counts from manufacture, not from first registration in Japan. A car’s first registration date can be later than its manufacture date, so always ask for the date of manufacture.
In 2026 Parliament considered the Traffic and Road Safety (Amendment) Bill, which proposed cutting the limit to 13 years. The Finance Committee recommended keeping 15 years, and the bill was withdrawn on 21 April 2026. As of 1 October 2026, the limit is still 15 years.
Will my car be allowed into Uganda?
2. Understand the age-based levy
Even within the 15-year limit, older cars cost more to clear. URA charges an environmental levy that depends on the car’s age, on top of import duty and other taxes.
We don’t quote rates, because they are set by law and can change. The point for your budget is simple: a younger car usually carries a lower age-based levy, so compare the total landed cost, not just the price in Japan.
You can browse cars made within Uganda’s limit in our stock of 2013-and-newer cars. The filter uses the first registration date in Japan, so it is only a starting point: ask your sales representative to confirm the exact date of manufacture before you pay.
3. Choose the right car
Choose a right-hand-drive car with good parts supply in Uganda. Uganda drives on the left, and right-hand-drive cars are the norm.
Popular Japanese choices in Uganda include the Toyota Corolla, Harrier and Hilux, the Nissan X-Trail and March, the Mazda Demio, and the Subaru Forester and Impreza. Models with plenty of parts and mechanics locally are easier to keep on the road. Read more in why Japanese used cars are popular in Uganda.
Before you decide, check the auction sheet for grade, mileage and repairs. Our auction sheet guide explains the codes.
4. Pay safely
Pay only by bank transfer to an account in Japan in the name of “Autocom Japan Inc.”. Autocom sells for full payment only.
The official list of accounts is on our bank accounts page. We never ask you to pay an agent, a local account or a money-transfer service. If an invoice names any other beneficiary, do not pay it. See how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan.
5. Pre-export inspection (UNBS)
Every used car for Uganda must pass a pre-export inspection under the UNBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, against the Ugandan standard US 845:2017.
The inspection is done in Japan by a UNBS-appointed inspection company; in Japan this is EAA Co., Ltd., which restarted Uganda inspections on 20 March 2025. The certificate is sometimes called a Certificate of Conformity and sometimes a roadworthiness certificate. Either way, it must travel with the car.
When you buy from us, the inspection is arranged in Japan before the car is shipped.
6. Shipping and the road to Uganda
Uganda has no sea port, so cars are shipped to a neighbouring port and driven or trucked in. Most commonly the car lands at Mombasa in Kenya and travels by road through the Malaba or Busia border. Some buyers use Dar es Salaam instead.
Your clearing agent arranges the transit from the port to Uganda. Sailing and transit times vary, so ask your sales representative for the current schedule for your route. See also Ro-Ro vs container shipping.
7. Prepare your documents
Your clearing agent needs:
- Original bill of lading from the shipping line.
- Commercial invoice from the exporter.
- Japanese Export Certificate, which shows the car’s registration history. See the Japan Export Certificate explained.
- Inspection certificate from the UNBS-appointed inspector.
- URA TIN and your ID.
Use a licensed clearing agent; they handle both the transit papers and the Uganda customs entry.
8. Clearing and paying duty with URA
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) assesses import duty, taxes and the environmental levy. The amount depends on the car’s value, engine size and age.
URA has a motor vehicle tax calculator on its website. Use it, or ask your clearing agent, before you pay for the car. Rates change, so we don’t quote them.
It helps to think of the landed cost in three parts: our price (the car plus shipping to the port), which is the only part we control; the duty, taxes and levy your government charges; and clearing and transit charges, plus transport home. Our landed cost checklist lists every item.
9. Register the car
After duty is paid, the car is registered and gets Ugandan number plates. Vehicle registration has moved from URA to the Ministry of Works and Transport, so ask your clearing agent where and how to register. Arrange motor insurance before you drive. Our guide on registering a Japanese import in Africa has more detail. For all Uganda rules in one place, visit the Uganda import rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the oldest car I can import to Uganda in 2026?
Cars 15 years or older from the year of manufacture are banned. In 2026, look at cars made in 2012 or later, and confirm with URA if the car is close to the limit.
Did Uganda change the age limit to 13 years?
No. A 2026 bill proposed 13 years, but it was withdrawn on 21 April 2026. The limit is still 15 years as of 1 October 2026.
Is the age counted from manufacture or registration?
From the year of manufacture. Ask the exporter for the manufacture date; the first registration date in Japan can be later.
Who inspects cars for Uganda in Japan?
A UNBS-appointed inspection company. In Japan this is EAA Co., Ltd.
How do I estimate the tax on a car?
Use URA’s motor vehicle tax calculator or ask a licensed clearing agent. Remember the environmental levy rises with the car’s age.
Sources
- Parliament of Uganda: Importation of old cars banned (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Parliament of Uganda: Traffic and Road Safety (Amendment) Bill 2026 – bill stages (withdrawn 21 Apr 2026)
- Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- URA: URA hands over motor vehicle registration to the Ministry of Works and Transport (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- EAA Co., Ltd.: Resumption of Uganda inspections (20 Mar 2025)
