Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products

Exports of live animals and animal products

Pre-Export Procedure

• Any person wishing to export live animals must acquire a cattle traders’ license from Commissioner Animal Production and/or an export license from Commissioner Animal Health
• The exporter shall obtain an import Permit, written in English or with an English translation, from the veterinary authority of the destination country
• The exporter shall make a written application to the Commissioner for Animal Health and attach the Import Permit or animal health requirements from the destination country
• The exporter shall submit an application to the Commissioner for Animal Health requesting for a veterinary health certificate to export live animals at least 15 days prior to an exportation. The application will state the type, sex, number and age of the animals and their corresponding unique identification numbers/marks and the destination country and consignee. The application shall be attached with a copy of the export license
• The exporter shall attach a copy of an Invoice which indicates the price of exported animals or Price list, Packing list, Air Waybill / Bill of Lading and any other relevant documents, to the application
• The Veterinary Inspector authorized by the Commissioner for Animal Health shall study the history and status of animal disease outbreaks in the premises of origin and surrounding areas, conduct physical and clinical examination and laboratory tests to ensure compliance with animal health requirement specified in the Import Permit
• In a case where the exported animals were vaccinated against or tested for any disease, the exporter shall present a vaccination certificate or other evidence to the certifying veterinary inspector to guide decision making and/or to record such information in an official veterinary health certificate
• Names of the exporter and a consignee at the country of destination must correspond to those written in all documents concerned, particularly in his/her passport or other official identification held.

Export Procedure

• CAH will issue a veterinary health certificate in duplicate, written in English, to accompany the exported animals to the country of destination.
• For animals unaccompanied, one photocopy of the veterinary heath certificate shall be additionally attached to containers or crates of the exported animals.
• For animals travelling with the owner as personal effects, an original copy of the veterinary health certificate shall be presented to the veterinary inspectors at the port of exit.

Transit of Live Animals and/or Animal Products

If animals or products from countries or zones free of diseases are trans shipped through seaports or airports in countries or zones where prescribed diseases e.g. Foot and Mouth disease (FMD), African Swine fever, Avian Influenza, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and Peste des petits Ruminants (PPR), is known to occur, they (according to OIE) shall be deemed as originating from infected countries or zones and shall therefore be prohibited from importation.

All transits of live animals and/or animal products from one country to another through the Republic of Uganda shall be authorized by the Commissioner for Animal Health.

Transit Procedure

• Any person wishing to transit live animals or animal products through the Republic of Uganda shall make a written application to the Department of Animal Health at least 3 days prior to a transit.
• The applicant must attach an import permit from the destination country to confirm that his/her goods are duly authorized to enter that country.
• The applicant shall also attach a veterinary health certificate attesting to the health status of the animal, and/or safety of the products, an invoice, packing list, Air waybill/Bill of Lading and any other relevant document.
• If all is deemed safe, the Commissioner for Animal Health shall authorize the transit by issuing a transit permit.
• The Veterinary Inspector at the port of entry/exit shall perform a general inspection on the health of all live animals or animal products in transit. Where necessary, goods/products shall be disinfected in accordance to the international guidelines of the OIE before permission to transit to the next country.
• The transit live animals or animal products may be moved to quarantine facilities if considered necessary. The owner shall be responsible for all expense incurred
• In the case of pets, a copy of the document proving ownership of the pet (name and address of pet owner) shall be presented.

In general, animals /products shall not be imported from susceptible animal populations or zones with a designated epizootic disease, or coming from a country (zone) where the prescribed epizootic disease has been recognized by the competent Veterinary authority (CVA), by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) or confirmed from other international information sources.