Cars imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Uganda imported cars worth $289.3 million (46.5 thousand tonnes). That is 5% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 23% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $289.3M | 46.5K t |
| 2023 | $275.3M | 43.5K t |
| 2022 | $216.4M | 34.6K t |
| 2021 | $180.8M | 35.5K t |
| 2020 | $169.2M | 35.0K t |
| 2019 | $183.3M | 35.5K t |
| 2018 | $165.6M | 38.6K t |
| 2017 | $67.3M | 5.6K t |
Where Uganda imports cars from
One supplier dominates: Japan accounted for 82% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $237.7M | 82% |
| Germany | $10.9M | 3.8% |
| United Kingdom | $10.2M | 3.5% |
| Tanzania | $4.9M | 1.7% |
| Thailand | $4.6M | 1.6% |
| Kenya | $2.9M | 1% |
| China | $2.9M | 1% |
| India | $2.7M | 0.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $2.4M | 0.8% |
| United States | $2.1M | 0.7% |
Product types under HS 8703
| 8703.23 | Petrol cars 1500-3000cc | 68% |
| 8703.33 | Diesel cars >2500cc | 12% |
| 8703.24 | Petrol cars >3000cc | 8% |
| 8703.22 | Petrol cars 1000-1500cc | 5.5% |
| 8703.40 | Hybrid petrol-electric cars | 1.6% |
| 8703.32 | Diesel cars 1500-2500cc | 1.3% |
| 8703.90 | Cars (other power types) | 1.3% |
| 8703.50 | Hybrid diesel-electric cars | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8703.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.22 per kg, 62% below the world average of $16.22, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Cars exports from Uganda
Uganda exported $35.4 million of cars in 2024 (4.2 thousand tonnes). Most of it went to South Sudan (37%), DR Congo (20%), Kenya (20%). Among the main buyer markets, Kenya grew fastest (+477% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $13.0M | 37% |
| DR Congo | $7.2M | 20% |
| Kenya | $7.1M | 20% |
| United Arab Emirates | $6.7M | 19% |
| Burundi | $590K | 1.7% |
| Tanzania | $444K | 1.3% |
| Rwanda | $165K | 0.5% |
| United Kingdom | $46K | 0.1% |
| South Africa | $30K | 0.1% |
| Republic of the Congo | $19K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda cars imports (HS 8703): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8703: Motor cars and other motor vehicles; principally designed for the transport of persons (other than those of heading no. 8702), including station wagons and racing cars.
Common questions
What is the value of cars imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported cars worth $289.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 46.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 112th of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply cars to Uganda?
Japan was the largest supplier with 82% of the value ($237.7 million), followed by Germany (4%) and the United Kingdom (4%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 47 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 48% on the year.
What is the average import price of cars per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.22 per kg in 2024, 62% below the world average of $16.22 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of cars to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $67.3 million in 2017 to $289.3 million in 2024, an increase of 330%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $193.4 million a year.
Does Uganda also export cars?
Yes. Uganda exported $35.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Sudan, the DR Congo and Kenya. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $253.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for cars?
The HS code for cars is heading 8703. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 8703.23 (68% of the value) and 8703.33 (12%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Uganda. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Cars product types in Uganda
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