Prohibited and Restricted Items when Sending to Uganda

Though makes it simple to ship to Uganda, you still need to be sure that the country will let your goods across its border.

Before you look at Uganda’s specific list of prohibited goods, familiarise yourself with Fasltane’s list of restricted and prohibited items. These are things which our couriers won’t carry to any destination, often because they’re illegal or dangerous.

Once you’re sure that we can carry your package, you need to check that it will pass through Ugandan Customs without issue. You can find a comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted items when importing to Uganda here.

Many of Ugandan’s prohibited items are either prohibited by our carriers (e.g. matches) or illegal in the UK anyway (e.g. counterfeit money and narcotics). However, there are a few notable exceptions where you might come a cropper if you’re not aware of them.

Soaps and other cosmetic products which contain mercury are strictly banned from import into Uganda, so be sure to check all make-up labels carefully.

Used tyres for light commercial vehicle and passenger cars are not allowed into the country.

Poaching and the destruction of endangered species has become a big problem in Africa and Uganda is doing its best to fight this problem and conserve wildlife. One sign of this is the country’s list of restricted imports. All restricted items are subject to scrutiny by Ugandan Customs and must be granted certificates of import from relevant government agencies.

Among the products restricted on import to Uganda are bones and horn, elephant ivory, hippopotamus teeth, rhino horn and tortoise shell. Whether you have any of these in raw material form or, more likely, as part of an ornament, you will have to complete a lot of paperwork to get it through customs.

If you’re still unsure as to whether your package is allowed into Uganda then contact Ugandan Customs before you send.