Special purpose vehicles imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $18.5 million of special purpose vehicles in 2024 (4.7 thousand tonnes). That is 63% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $60.5 million.
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 | $18.5M | 4.7K t |
| 2023 | $49.6M | 7.5K t |
| 2022 | $32.3M | 4.8K t |
| 2021 | $60.5M | 3.8K t |
| 2020 | $17.1M | 3.5K t |
| 2019 | $20.0M | 3.5K t |
| 2018 | $18.7M | 3.1K t |
| 2017 | $21.1M | 2.3K t |
Where Uganda imports special purpose vehicles from
China alone supplied 58% of it. Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $10.7M | 58% |
| Italy | $1.4M | 7.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.3M | 7.1% |
| India | $1.2M | 6.6% |
| Sweden | $698K | 3.8% |
| Kenya | $607K | 3.3% |
| Norway | $572K | 3.1% |
| Croatia | $490K | 2.7% |
| Japan | $476K | 2.6% |
| Ukraine | $267K | 1.4% |
Product types under HS 8705
| 8705.10 | Crane trucks | 36% |
| 8705.90 | Specialized service vehicles | 31% |
| 8705.40 | Concrete mixer trucks | 14% |
| 8705.30 | Fire trucks | 13% |
| 8705.20 | Mobile drilling vehicles | 5.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8705.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.92 per kg, 45% below the world average of $7.07, 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.
Special purpose vehicles exports from Uganda
Exports of special purpose vehicles by Uganda reached $2.3 million in 2024 (636 tonnes). Most of it went to DR Congo (38%), South Sudan (36%), Rwanda (18%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+624% on the year before).
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda special purpose vehicles imports (HS 8705): 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 8705: Special purpose motor vehicles; not those for the transport of persons or goods (e.g. breakdown lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units etc).
Common questions
What is the value of special purpose vehicles imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported special purpose vehicles worth $18.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 106th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 63% on 2023.
Which countries supply special purpose vehicles to Uganda?
China was the largest supplier with 58% of the value ($10.7 million), followed by Italy (7%) and the United Arab Emirates (7%). The top three together account for 72%, out of 23 supplier countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 388% on the year.
What is the average import price of special purpose vehicles per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.92 per kg in 2024, 45% below the world average of $7.07 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of special purpose vehicles to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $21.1 million in 2017 to $18.5 million in 2024, a fall of 12%. The peak was 2021 at $60.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $29.7 million a year.
Does Uganda also export special purpose vehicles?
Yes. Uganda exported $2.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, South Sudan and Rwanda. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $16.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for special purpose vehicles?
The HS code for special purpose vehicles is heading 8705. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 8705.10 (36% of the value) and 8705.90 (31%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Uganda, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World special purpose vehicles trade: top importers and exporters
Special purpose vehicles product types in Uganda
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.