International Moving Services To Uganda

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If the thought of moving abroad has taken away your sleep, then you aren’t the only one experiencing this. Moving is a stressful task and moving internationally can be even more challenging than you expect it to be. An international move will require a lot of paperwork apart from the other moving-related chores. This itself is the reason why you shouldn’t relocate to Uganda without hiring an international moving company.

Here are some helpful tips for individuals who are planning to move from the United States to Uganda:

International moves are full of uncertainties and confusion, so you need to plan the relocation much ahead of time. By hiring an international moving company, you will reduce the moving stress, but there are other aspects as well on which you need to concentrate.

Create a moving budget

As expected, an international moving company gets costly, because of its logistics. Usually, you will have sufficient money to cover the moving expenses, however, there may be incidental expenses as well. Increased fares, fines, rescheduled flights, emergencies, etc. are a few examples of incidental expenses that you may need to include in the moving budget. It will be a good idea to have around 30% more than what you have estimated in your budget that will meet your incidental expenses.

Apart from the moving cost, it’s recommended you consider the cost of living in Uganda in your moving budget. This will help you to plan your finances efficiently.

Conduct proper research

Relocating to a new country is one thing, but making it work for you will be difficult. You must research various aspects of Uganda, to see whether living there will be worth it or not?

Storage vs. selling vs. shipping

You need to decide whether you should store your belongings in the source country, sell them, or ship them to the destination country. It will be a good idea to calculate the logistics for each of these options and take your decision accordingly.

For example, you sell, donate, or discard items you don’t want to use in the new country, and ship those you can’t live without.

Transportation options

If you are planning to drive in Uganda, here’s a list of documents you must have to apply for a driving license:

Passport
A valid visa for at least one year
Student pass or dependent pass
Work permit

It is important to ensure that your new home in the new country is easily accessible by public transportation. This is especially important if you will need to commute to work, school, or college, or if you plan to hire domestic help.

About Uganda

Also, called the ‘Pearl of Africa’, Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. Moving to Uganda will open an enriched world for you with a varied range of music, social life, food, as well as art and craft. Uganda is divided into four regions: Western, Eastern, Northern and Central. More than 30 indigenous languages are spoken in this country with a population of more than 42 million people.

About Uganda lies in both the African Great Lakes region (because it contains a large portion of Lake Victoria) as well as within the Nile basin, but has a modified equatorial climate. It boasts 60 protected areas including ten national parks.

Uganda has an embracing environment when it comes to doing business and trading both for the expats as well as the locals of the country. This creates an increasing need to emigrate to the capital city of Kampala from other parts of the world.

Official languages include Swahili and English, but the central language Luganda is also widely spoken.

Customs Regulations for Uganda

Work permit (copy)
Immigration permit
Certificate of residence change
“Attestation reservation de cale”
Inventory (three copies in English, detailed, valued, signed and dated by the customer)
Electrical powered items should include a serial number

Customer must be in the country for Customs clearance

In Uganda, some articles may not be imported in a customer’s baggage whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Narcotics
Pornography
Counterfeit items
Cultural artefacts and other objects of cultural importance
Henna
Palm tree and any products derived from palm
Explosive material

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in Uganda. These items include, but are not limited to:

Live animals – health certificate required along with complete and valid inoculations
Endangered species or products made from these species as outlined by CITES – may be brought in only with CITES permission
Medication
Hunting weapons – permissible only with authorization from the Ministry of the Interior

In Uganda, new cars are dutiable.To import a vehicle you will need to have the following documentation:

VIN number
Bill of Lading
Invoice
Pre-inspection certificate
Export certificate
Identification (original and photocopy)

When importing a dog or cat into Uganda, they will need to have the following documentation:

Movement permit obtained from veterinarian in the country of origin
Health certificate proving pet is free of disease stamped within ten days of shipment
Rabies certification
Proof of vaccinations
- Dogs – vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, Leptospirosos, Parvo-virus and rabies
- Cats – vaccinations against Feline Entritis and rabies
While in transit, dogs and cats must not come into contact with other animals

Invoices on all new electronics and new furniture less than six months old are subject to payment of customs duties and taxes
Home computers are not accepted as personal effects and are subject to customs duties and import taxes
Used household goods may be duty-free if they are exported upon the expiration of the customer’s temporary residence permit

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

Culture of Uganda

You need to get accustomed to the culture of the new country before relocating there. Here’s what you can do:

Check how the government of Uganda operates.
Learn about the social norms, etiquettes, and rules prevailing in Uganda.
Research the beliefs followed in Uganda as this will help you avoid hurting the sentiments of other people in this country.

Inform your bank and telephone service provider

Make sure you inform the bank about your moving date and apply for an international credit card to avoid overseas transaction charges.
Research the banks of Uganda and find out what documents will be needed to open a savings account.
Make sure you inform the present bank to pay off any outstanding loans and bills.
Request the carrier to unlock your smartphone before the moving day as international call rates may be costly.
Buy a new sim from the local carrier after reaching Uganda and replace it with your existing sim card.
Local carriers in Uganda include MTN, Airtel, Uganda Telecom, Africell, Smile, K2, Vodafone, and Lycamobile.

Create a copy of important documents

You must ensure that you have copies of important documents like your birth certificate, passport, driving license, and immunization records. You may need them at any time while traveling to Uganda, so keeping them easily accessible will make your life a little less stressful.

Inform your utility service providers

They must be the first person whom you should inform about the move. We regularly pay for the amenities we are using, such as internet, electricity, and cable bills. So, it’s recommended you inform such service providers regarding your relocation and avoid getting charged unnecessarily.

Manage your paperwork

Change of address, car registration, and driving license update can be done after you get settled in the new country. However, there are a few things that will need your attention before you relocate to Uganda, here’s what you need to know:

Inform your present employer about the move, as you will need to take a letter of reference from them.
Inform your present landlord about the move and manage paperwork of lease agreement, end contract, etc.
If your child is attending school, it’s important to inform the school authorities and obtain their academic records.
Inform your family physician about the move and obtain the necessary medical record.
Organize your financial documents as you will need them to transfer your bank account and update your insurance company and credit card company about the relocation.
If you have pets and motor vehicles, you must arrange for their shipment in advance.
Book your flight tickets in advance or get your service if you have planned to drive to your new destination.

This was all that you needed to know about relocating to Uganda. If you need more information, you can research it on the internet or if you have friends who have recently relocated to Uganda, ask them. Moreover, after reaching the new country, it’s recommended you explore the new neighborhood, connect with new people, and find places to hang out. This will gradually make the new country feel homely and you will start enjoying living there.

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