TOLL FREE: (0800)133133

Frequently Asked Questions on Motor Vehicle Inspection

  7th June , 2018 ,       Hits: 628

INTERIM MEASURE FOR DESTINATION INSPECTION OF USED MOTOR VEHICLES

FRQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – June 2018

1. How is UNBS protecting the importer against importing substandard cars?

It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that goods or in this case the vehicle procured meet their expectations and value for money. UNBS develops standards as guidelines to be used to help and protect importers during purchase. Used Motor vehicles being imported into Uganda are inspected against a Uganda standards US 845 that can be procured from UNBS Information documentation center or online through UNBS web store: https://webstore.unbs.go.ug/. Importers are advised to forward a copy of the standard to the supplier as a basis for procurement and compliance while placing their orders. The supplier must also provide written assurance that the supplied vehicle conforms to the requirements of the standard.

2. What measures has UNBS put in place to work/handle vehicles that do not meet the standard?

The import inspection regulations provides for two options, namely re-export or destruction at owners cost. This will be applied depending on the level of non-compliance detected.

3. Where does the inspection take place? If I pay taxes at the border, does the car get inspected there?

The choice of where the importer choose to clear with URA should be the preferred point where inspection will be done. The UNBS inspectors will advise the clients accordingly. UNBS also has a presence in Mombasa to handle motor vehicles cleared under the Single Customs Territory.

4. Does UNBS have personnel in all bonds or it has to be specific bonds where vehicles are inspected?

For the time being there are no specific bonds for clearance of used motor vehicles although going forward this may be an option after discussion with URA. In the meantime, our mobile team of inspectors are deployed to handle most bonds where UNBS clearance may be required. Most of the dedicated car bonds in Kampala are handled by UNBS inspectors and the mobile team.

5. Does UNBS have technical capacity to carry out vehicle inspection?

UNBS has the technical capacity that can always be enhanced. However, the capacity to carry out detailed vehicle inspection is also limited by the URA clearance process that requires the vehicles to be in bonds where space is limited. However most critical inspections are undertaken by UNBS while full capacity will further be explored to address the challenges.

6. With UNBS claim that they have manpower constraints, does UNBS have capacity to inspect vehicles in time?

UNBS will use the available human capital and risk profiling to manage the interim process of destination inspection of used motor vehicles. The time it takes to inspect and clear a vehicle largely depends on the completeness of information supplied by the importer or clearing agent. Request for clearance can also be submitted to UNBS in advance of the arrival of the vehicles so that UNBS inspectors can prepare accordingly.

8. Why shouldn’t UNBS use SGS centers to carry out inspections?

The measures being taken are interim to allow Government complete investigations into Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Contract. The in-country SGS motor vehicle inspection purpose is for annual inspections of vehicles on the road while that of UNBS is for imported used motor vehicles. The two are governed under two different regulatory regimes. The location of the SGS facilities outside the customs area would create a challenge in the clearance process.

For further information, please contact:  Godwin Bonge Muhwezi, Head Public Relations, Uganda National Bureau of Standards, Plot 2 - 12, By Pass Link, Bweyogerere Industrial Park, Tel: 0700930996, e-mail: godwin.muhwezi@unbs.go.ug