Importing a car from China to Uganda: full landed-cost guide 2026
Duties, VAT, who can import, what gets in, shipping — and the DDP price of 28 popular Chinese models in Uganda, computed by our rules engine with sources and verification dates.
Who can import and what gets in
- ⛔ Right-hand drive only: China-market LHD cars cannot be imported — needs the RHD version
- • Age limit 15 years
- • Who can import: Individuals and companies may import with a TIN through a URA-licensed clearing agent; used cars are valued on the URA used-vehicle database, not the invoice
- • Right-hand drive only; a China-spec LHD car cannot be registered (per URA import guidance; confirm the statute before the first order)
- • Cars over 15 years old are barred (a 2026 amendment bill proposes 13), those aged 9–15 pay a 50% environmental levy; 8 years and under pay none
- • Imported finished BEVs went back to 25% duty in May 2024 (previously 0%) and pay 18% VAT; the exemption for locally assembled EVs does not apply to imports
Tax rules and sources
- URA import / export FAQ car example: 25% duty, 18% VAT on CIF + duty, 6% withholding tax and 1.5% infrastructure levy on CIF; 50% environmental levy at 9–15 years, over 15 barred, used values from the database ↗ official 2026-10-03
- URA Commissioner General Q&A (23 Sep 2026): restates the over-15-year ban and 50% levy at 9–15 years; the EV VAT relief concerns locally manufactured supplies, not imported finished vehicles ↗ official 2026-10-03
- URA used motor vehicle valuation database, 1 August 2026 release page ↗ official 2026-10-03
- UNBS client service charter (2022/23): USD 140 used-vehicle inspection listed separately from the USD 235 general-goods PVoC minimum ↗ official 2026-10-03
- The EastAfrican: Uganda reinstated the 25% import duty on fully built electric and hybrid vehicles and electric motorcycles at the May 2024 EAC CET review (previously 0%) ↗ verified 2026-10-04
- IEA policy database: Uganda announced import duty on electric and hybrid vehicles and electric motorcycles ↗ verified 2026-10-04
Uganda is right-hand-drive only, so a China-spec LHD car cannot be registered; cars over 15 years old are barred and those aged 9–15 pay a 50% environmental levy. It is landlocked: cars move under bond from Mombasa (or Dar es Salaam) to Kampala. Imported cars pay 25% duty (BEVs too since May 2024), 18% VAT on CIF + duty, a 1.5% infrastructure levy and 6% import withholding tax (waived for companies holding a URA exemption); used cars are valued on the URA database. UNBS pre-shipment inspection is required (a CRW certificate is mandatory for used cars); inspection, registration and the Mombasa–Kampala road leg are estimates.
Popular models: DDP price in Uganda
| Model | Ex-works | DDP |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal 05 DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc | $10,710 | $26,996 |
| BYD Song Plus DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc | $14,790 | $33,371 |
| BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $15,096 | $33,849 |
| BYD Seal EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $21,420 | $43,730 |
| BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Smart Drive 1098 · Battery electric | $14,178 | $30,785 |
| BYD DolphinQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1098 · Battery electric | $14,617 | $33,098 |
| BYD Sealion 7Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $22,950 | $46,120 |
| BYD Han EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $22,440 | $45,323 |
| BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $17,850 | $38,152 |
| BYD Tang EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $30,600 | $58,073 |
| Geely CoolrayQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 668 MT · Petrol/diesel · 1,500 cc | $7,589 | $22,118 |
| Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,969 cc | $17,340 | $37,355 |
| Zeekr 001Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $33,660 | $62,854 |
| Chery Tiggo 8 ProExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,598 cc | $15,300 | $34,168 |
| Changan CS75 PlusQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Smart Champion Edition 1089 · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown | $11,730 | $28,588 |
| GWM Haval H6Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol/diesel · 1,998 cc | $13,770 | $31,777 |
| XPeng G6Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EV 625 Max Tech Edition · Battery electric | $24,888 | $47,867 |
| MG4 EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $18,360 | $38,949 |
| Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $30,600 | $58,073 |
| XPeng G9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · 625 Max · Battery electric | $34,578 | $63,007 |
| XPeng X9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EV 665 Max · Battery electric | $42,738 | $75,756 |
| XPeng MONA M03Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 540 Long Range Plus · Battery electric | $17,136 | $35,755 |
| AITO M7Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · 新M7 EREV Pro+ · Range extender · 1,499 cc | $39,282 | $71,635 |
| AITO M9Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2026 · EREV Max+ 5-seat Edition · Range extender · Displacement unknown | $67,362 | $115,507 |
| MG5Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · Mexico Edition · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown | $6,375 | $18,594 |
| MG7Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1379 · Petrol/diesel · 1,988 cc | $16,074 | $35,375 |
| Changan UNI-VQuoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 2025 · 2nd gen 新蓝鲸 1169 · Petrol/diesel · Displacement unknown | $11,220 | $27,791 |
| Changan Nevo Q05Quoted configuration · 2026-09-30 · 1019 · Powertrain unknown · Displacement unknown | $14,280 | $32,572 |
Available to order now
Cars you can order now: same-day quotes by model with maker photos. Sign up free to see every trim and the price to your own country.
Corolla Cross
0 km · PHEV
佛山市南海区领贤行汽车贸易有限公司
Price after free sign-up
GAC Trumpchi Trumpchi M8 领秀系列 390T 至尊版
2021 · 80,000 km · ICE
佛山市南海区领贤行汽车贸易有限公司
Price after free sign-up
BYD Han DM-i 121km 尊荣型
2023 · 140,000 km · PHEV
佛山市南海区领贤行汽车贸易有限公司
Price after free sign-up
Geely Coolray
ICE
LandedCar ✓
FOB $8,928+
Changan Nevo Q05
PHEV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $15,109+
Geely Coolray L
2025 · ICE
LandedCar ✓
FOB $11,391+
Changan Mazda CX-5
ICE
LandedCar ✓
FOB $17,536+
Changan Mazda CX-50
ICE
LandedCar ✓
FOB $20,698+
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