In a bid to fulfill International SPS requirements and facilitate traders obtain them in an easier manner, several trade facilitating agencies have adopted electronic ways of issuing these licenses. They include; the phytosanitary certificate for crop products, Veterinary health certificates for animal products, fish sanitary certificate for fish, the Quality certificate for coffee among others.
These licenses are issued to exporters and importers through the Management Information systems of the responsible institutions and the electronic single window for those that have subscribed to it. Some of these export licenses are respectively issued by the Department of Crop Inspection and Certification at the MAAIF, the Department of animal health, MAAIF and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS).
The Uganda trade information portal guides traders on which licences they need, where to obtain them, who to see, what documents are needed, costs to pay, law that justifies these and where to complain in case of any problem.
The electronic process is reliable, fast and promotes transparency in acquisition of trade licenses and other related documents.
The Phytosanitary Certificate is an internationally recognised document which certifies that plant and plant products contained in a given consignments are free from regulated pests as specified from the importing country. All crop products require this license, they include; fruits, vegetables, flowers and cuttings, Cereals, pulses, oil-seeds and Semi-processed agricultural products which include coffee, tea, tobacco and cocoa to mention but a few.
An importer/Exporter of Animal products must obtain an international veterinary health certificate for every consignment. The certificate attests to the health status of the animal, and/or safety of the products. Information on how to obtain this certificate for products like poultry, hides and skin and dairy products is available on the trade information portal on www.ugandatrades.go.ug.
Marketing support provided by the MARKUP programme, a regional development initiative for the EAC funded by the EU.
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