Importers cautioned against evading UNBS imports inspection and clearance processes

  26th May , 2025     HITS: 109

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has cautioned importers against evading imports inspection and clearance processes following reports of goods arriving at the Ugandan borders without Certificates of Conformity (CoC) and leaving warehouses without Imports Clearance Certificates (ICC).

The remarks were made during the routine UNBS sensitization of importers about modalities of Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) and other imports inspection processes and requirements based on the UNBS Inspection and Clearance of imports regulation 2022.

During the sensitization, the importers expressed unawareness about the Imports Clearance Certificate, yet it is the evidence that UNBS fully inspected imports at the Ugandan borders. The expression was attributed to the fact that most importers delegate inspection and clearing processes to clearing agents, who, may not present all the documents.

“All importers must demand for an Imports Clearance Certificate (ICC) from UNBS. It is the only proof that their goods have undergone all UNBS imports inspection and clearance processes. If a clearing agent doesn’t give you a valid and authentic ICC from UNBS, then the goods are still queried by UNBS.” Said the Ag. Manager of the UNBS Imports Inspection Department, Ronald Ahimbisibwe.

The importers were grateful to UNBS for the eye-opening sensitization and urged UNBS to diligently implement the exemptions of Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) as required by the UNBS Inspection and Clearance of Imports regulation 2022.

The UNBS Deputy Executive Director in charge of Standards, Ms. Bageine Ejalu, on behalf of UNBS pledged to ensure that the UNBS Inspection and Clearance of Imports regulation 2022 is diligently implemented and also urged the importers to ensure they comply, and avoid being caiught on the wrong side of the law.

The importers were further urged to stay updated about their consignments as opposed to abandoning all responsibilities to clearing agents.

UNBS continues to carryout routine sensitizations of all players in that interface with imports inspection and clearance processes.

About UNBS

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a Government Agency responsible for developing, promoting and enforcing of national standards in the protection of Public Health and Safety, and the Environment against harmful and sub-standard products.

For more information, please contact:

Barbara Kamusiime,

Ag. Principal Public Relations Officer,

Telephone: 256 417 333250 / 0752300077

E-mail: barbara.kamusiime@unbs.go.ug