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HS 8429.52 — Self-propelled machinery with a 360° revolving superstructure

Shipping hydraulic excavators from Houston to Kampala

Port-to-port in 64 days from Houston to Mombasa, then by road or rail to Kampala. Hydraulic Excavators enter Uganda at 0% import duty; VAT and levies add 24% of the customs value.

TYPICAL TIMELINE

  1. Before loading
    Inspect & certify
    UNBS pre-export verification (PVoC) covers used goods and selected machines; Intertek runs it. Bureau Veritas stops issuing Uganda certificates after 7 October 2026.
  2. Day 0
    Load at Houston
    Lashed on a 40′ flat rack, or driven aboard a RoRo vessel.
  3. Day 64
    Arrive Mombasa
    Direct services are fastest; a transshipment adds 5–10 days.
  4. On arrival
    Clear customs
    Entry lodged on URA ASYCUDA World, taxes paid, release order issued.
  5. After release
    Move inland to Kampala
    By road or rail from Mombasa. Your forwarder quotes this leg.

Cargo & compliance

HS code
8429.52 · Self-propelled machinery with a 360° revolving superstructure
Equipment
40′ flat rack, or RoRo if it can drive aboard
Pre-shipment inspection
UNBS pre-export verification (PVoC) covers used goods and selected machines; Intertek runs it. Bureau Veritas stops issuing Uganda certificates after 7 October 2026.
Customs system
URA ASYCUDA World
Sea leg
64 days, USHOU → KEMBA

Where these shipments get stuck

  • Most sailings transship through Singapore, Port Klang or Colombo, adding 5–10 days. Ask for a direct service if a site is waiting on the machine.
  • List buckets, breakers and other attachments shipped loose on the invoice and packing list so they are classified with the machine.
  • VAT on plant and machinery can be deferred, then waived once URA approves.
  • Withholding tax is credited against your income tax.
  • Machinery under chapters 84 and 85 is exempt from the infrastructure levy and import declaration fee.

What sea freight costs

Published prices from forwarders' rate lists — benchmarks to sanity-check a quote, not a quote. Port and inland charges are extra.

Shipment Price (USD) As of · source
ANY LANE, BY MACHINE SIZE
RoRo · small excavator, 8–15 t $3,000–$5,000 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com
RoRo · mid-size excavator, 20–30 t $4,000–$8,000 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com
RoRo · large excavator, 35–50 t $8,000–$18,000 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com
Flat rack · small excavator, 8–15 t $5,500–$8,500 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com
Flat rack · mid-size excavator, 20–30 t $8,000–$12,000 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com
Flat rack · large excavator, 35–50 t $15,000–$25,000 Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com

Import taxes in Uganda

Full guide: importing machinery into Uganda → From United States to Uganda →

Lands in Mombasa? Containers for Kenyan ports need an ACD number on the bill of lading before loading. What the exporter must file → Stuck? Get ACD help →

Tax Rate Charged on
Import duty 0% Customs value (CIF) — EAC common external tariff
VAT 18% Customs value + duty
Withholding tax 6% Customs value (CIF)

SOURCES · CHECKED 6 Oct 2026

Hydraulic Excavators to Kampala from other ports

Hydraulic Excavators from Houston to other destinations

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