Shelf Life Requirements for Exports to Uganda

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has updated the minimum Shelf-Life requirements of Food products imported into Uganda.

This is based on the update in the UNBS (Inspection and Clearance Imports) Regulations, 2022.

Food Products which have a total Shelf-life of more than 18 months must have at least 12 months remaining at the time of expected arrival at Ugandan Ports/Borders

Food products having a Shelf-life of less than 18 months must have 75% remaining shelf life from the date of expected arrival at Ugandan Ports/Borders.

All other products (Non-food products) with limited Shelf-life (e.g., Cosmetics, Chemicals, etc.,) must have 50% remaining Shelf-life from the date of expected arrival at Ugandan Ports/Borders.

Exporters/Importers failing to meet the updated Shelf-life requirements for Regulated products may face delayed or rejected shipments at the Ugandan Ports/Borders.  

Every consignment of imported goods, which contain regulated products, shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an authorized body such as Intertek prior to shipment for facilitating clearance of their Shipments by Ugandan Customs.

Intertek is also accredited for many other countries in Africa including Botswana, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tanzania for providing conformity assessment services for regulated product shipments.