How to Pay Your Car Import Taxes in Uganda Without Confusion

Importing a car into Uganda can feel confusing — especially when you encounter unfamiliar terms like URA CIF value, Customs Declaration, Import Duty, and TIN.

The good news is: it doesn’t have to be difficult. This guide explains each step of paying Uganda car import taxes and shows how Motoka UG helps you know your exact amount before paying.

💡 Before You Pay: Understand What You’re Paying For

URA calculates car import taxes using the CIF value — Cost, Insurance, and Freight — determined by URA’s vehicle valuation database, not by your purchase price. That value is published in URA’s motor vehicle valuation list (a long PDF of standard CIF values by make, model, and year).

URA then applies set formulas and the current monthly forex rate to calculate each tax component.

Tip: Always confirm the URA-based CIF before paying to avoid overpayment or fraud. You can get it instantly from the Motoka UG Car Tax Calculator.

🧾 Step 1: Get a Tax Identification Number (TIN)

You need a URA TIN before making any tax payments. Apply online via the URA TIN Portal.

Individuals: Use your National ID.
Businesses: Provide company registration documents.

Without a TIN, URA cannot process your import entry or release documents.

🚢 Step 2: When Your Car Arrives at the Port

Your vehicle will typically arrive at Mombasa (Kenya) or Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and be stored in a bonded warehouse until taxes are paid and clearance is granted.

At this point, you’ll need a licensed clearing agent registered with URA to handle customs declarations and coordinate tax processing in ASYCUDA World.

Search for your car and find verified clearing agents via Motoka UG Trusted Partners.

📋 Step 3: URA Valuation and Tax Assessment

Your clearing agent submits details to URA, including:

Make, model, year of manufacture
Engine size (cc) and fuel type
URA’s assigned CIF value

URA generates an Import Declaration Form (IDF) or Import Entry (IM4) showing the total payable taxes:

Import Duty (25%)
VAT (18%)
Withholding Tax (6%)
Environmental Levy (0–50% for older vehicles)
Infrastructure Levy (1.5%)

Note: The CIF and exchange rate comes directly from URA’s system, not the seller or agent.

💰 Step 4: Pay Your Car Import Taxes

When URA approves the IM4 entry, a Payment Registration Number (PRN) is automatically generated. Use this PRN to pay:

At authorized banks
Via Mobile Money or online banking
Through your clearing agent

Always confirm that your PRN and vehicle details match your import entry before payment. Keep the payment receipt safe — it proves the taxes were paid to URA.

🏦 Step 5: Can’t Pay All at Once? Use a Financier

Import taxes can range from 70% to over 100% of the CIF value. If full payment is difficult, Motoka UG connects you to vetted financiers who can pay URA directly and release your vehicle quickly.

Example: Your car’s total taxes are UGX 22 million. A lender pays URA immediately to clear your car. You repay in monthly instalments — avoiding warehouse storage fees.

Learn more: Find a Car Loan Partner.

🧾 Step 6: Get a Release Order and Clearance

After URA confirms full payment, it issues a Release Order. Your clearing agent then:

Requests customs release from the bonded warehouse
Arranges loading and inland transport
Oversees final border entry and inspection at Malaba, Busia, or Mutukula

After this, your vehicle is officially cleared to enter Uganda.

🚙 Step 7: Register Your Car in Uganda

Once cleared, you must register your vehicle with URA for number plates. Bring these documents:

Original Bill of Lading
Exporting country logbook
JEVIC/QISJ/EAA inspection certificate
Proof of payment for all taxes
Your TIN and National ID

URA then issues your Ugandan registration number and logbook.

Tip: For trusted pre-shipment inspection partners, visit Motoka UG.

🧮 How Motoka UG Simplifies Everything

With Motoka UG, you can estimate your total car import taxes before starting the process. Motoka UG:

Uses the official URA vehicle valuation dataset
Applies the current URA forex rate
Breaks down Import Duty, VAT, Excise, and Withholding
Connects you to clearing agents, lenders, and import service providers

What used to take hours of checking URA documents now takes minutes. Try it now: Calculate Your Car’s Import Taxes.

✅ Quick Summary

Step	What to Do	Who Helps You
1	Get a TIN	URA
2	Car arrives at port	Shipping agent
3	URA valuation & IM4	Clearing agent
4	Pay taxes via PRN	Bank or Mobile Money
5	Use financier if needed	Car Financier/ Lender
6	Get release order	Clearing agent
7	Register in Uganda	URA

🚗 Final Tip: Don’t Pay Blindly

Always confirm your tax calculations against URA’s official CIF data before payment. Guessing or relying on seller quotes can lead to serious overpayment or clearance delays.

Check Your Car Taxes Instantly on Motoka.ug

Motoka UG — Making Uganda’s vehicle import taxes clear, fast, and transparent.