Notice for Ugandan Exporters to the EU

Effective 01 October 2014‚ Ugandan exports to the European Union will revert to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade regime known as “Everything But Arms (EBA).” Under EBA‚ the EU grants duty-free and quota-free market access to exports from Uganda (LDCs)‚ with the exception of arms.

In order to benefit from the preferential duty-free and quota-free market access offered under this scheme‚ goods (exports) must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin as documentary proof of the origin of the products. This means that with effect from 01 October 2014‚ the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) Form A will have to be used instead of the EUR.1 Movement Certificate. This certificate can only be used with goods originating from Uganda.

Note‚ for consignments with EUR1 forms issued before 01 October 2014‚ these forms will no longer be valid. The exporter will therefore be expected to apply for retrospective issuance of a GSP Form A for the given consignment. This only applies for consignments that are still in transit or not yet cleared through custom in any of the EU member states. GSP Form A can be obtained from Uganda Export Promotion Board.

Also‚ under the EBA regime‚ some general and product specific rules of origin will change – such as that relating to cumulation of origin. That is‚ a manufactured product only qualifies for duty-free market access only if the raw materials are sourced from a Least Developed Country (LDC) or the European Union (EU).

For further information please contact:

Uganda Export Promotion Board on +256 (0)414 257001/230250 (general line) or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.‚ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.