Uganda Coffee Development Authority

Export Compliance Hub

Every UCDA license type, a per-consignment document checklist with progress tracking, and the complete EUDR compliance guide, all in one place.

☕ Green Coffee Export Licence

Primary Licence

Required for all green bean exports from Uganda. This is the foundational licence every coffee exporter must hold.

Who Needs It
All green bean exporters
Issuing Authority
UCDA Licensing Board
Fee (Approximate)
UGX 2,000,000 / year
Validity
1 year, renewable
Application Timeline
2–4 weeks
Required Documents
Company registration, tax clearance certificate, premises inspection report, bank reference letter, UCDA application form

⭐ Direct Export of Premium Coffee Licence

Specialty Grade

For specialty and premium-grade coffee exported directly to international roasters. Higher standards, faster market access.

Who Needs It
Premium / specialty coffee exporters
Issuing Authority
UCDA Licensing Board
Fee (Approximate)
UGX 3,000,000 / year
Validity
1 year, renewable
Additional Requirements
Traceability system documentation, quality certification, buyer contracts, cupping score (>80)
Required Documents
All Green Coffee Export docs + traceability records, SCAA/SCAE cupping reports, buyer purchase orders

🏭 Coffee Warehouse Licence

Facility

Required to operate a coffee storage and processing facility. Covers grading, cleaning, hulling, and bagging operations.

Who Needs It
Warehouse operators, millers, hullers
Issuing Authority
UCDA Licensing Board
Fee (Approximate)
UGX 1,500,000 / year
Validity
1 year, renewable
Inspection Required
UCDA premises inspection (mandatory)
Required Documents
Premises title/lease, facility layout plan, equipment inventory, environmental compliance certificate, staff records

🔥 Coffee Roaster Licence

Processing

For businesses that roast coffee locally for domestic sale or export. Separate from the green bean export licence.

Who Needs It
Commercial coffee roasters
Issuing Authority
UCDA Licensing Board
Fee (Approximate)
UGX 1,000,000 / year
Validity
1 year, renewable
Required Documents
Company registration, roasting equipment specs, premises inspection, food safety certificate (UNBS)

🍷 Coffee Liquorer Licence

Quality

Required to operate a cupping/tasting facility for coffee quality assessment. Essential for quality control labs.

Who Needs It
Professional cuppers, quality labs
Issuing Authority
UCDA Licensing Board
Fee (Approximate)
UGX 500,000 / year
Validity
1 year, renewable
Required Documents
Cupping lab setup specs, Q-grader certification, lab hygiene certificate, quality manual

📞 UCDA Licensing Contact

Uganda Coffee Development Authority, Coffee House, Plot 35 Jinja Road, Kampala.
Tel: +256 414 256940  |  Website: ugandacoffee.go.ug
Application portal: UCDA e-Services, submit applications, track status, and renew licences online.

Interactive checklist, tick off each item before shipping your consignment. State persists in your browser via localStorage.

Consignment Readiness 0%
  • 1. UCDA Quality Certificate obtained
    Issued by UCDA inspector after grading. Must match the consignment grade on the export permit. Valid for single consignment only.
  • 2. ICO Certificate of Origin issued
    International Coffee Organization certificate. UCDA issues on behalf of ICO. Required for all international shipments, no exceptions.
  • 3. UAEC Radioactivity Certificate
    Uganda Atomic Energy Council certifies coffee is within safe radiation limits. Mandatory for EU, US, and Japan-bound consignments.
  • 4. Uganda Electronic Single Window (UESW) submission
    Complete online declaration via uesw.go.ug. Covers customs, URA, and UCDA in one submission. Retain the reference number.
  • 5. Phytosanitary Certificate (MAAIF)
    Issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. Certifies coffee is pest and disease free. Apply at least 5 working days before shipment.
  • 6. Weight & Grade Certificate from UCDA Inspector
    Covers net weight, grade classification, and moisture content. Must match the Bill of Lading weight exactly.
  • 7. Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
    Issued by shipping line or airline. Serves as contract of carriage, document of title, and receipt of goods. Ensure consignee details match all other documents.
  • 8. Commercial Invoice + Packing List
    Standard trade documents. Commercial invoice must show FOB/CIF value, HS code 0901.11, country of origin Uganda. Packing list must detail bag count, marks, and net/gross weights.
  • 9. EUDR Due Diligence Statement (EU-bound consignments only)
    Required for all coffee entering the EU. Must include geolocation data, deforestation-free attestation, and risk assessment. See EUDR tab for full details.

🌍 EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Regulation 2023/1115

The EU Deforestation Regulation requires that coffee placed on the EU market must be deforestation-free, legally produced, and covered by a Due Diligence Statement. Non-compliant consignments are rejected at EU ports, there is no grace period.

Key Dates

31 Dec 2020
Cutoff date, land deforested after this date cannot produce EU-bound coffee
30 Dec 2024
Enforcement began for large operators (>€150M turnover)
30 Jun 2025
Enforcement extended to SMEs, full compliance now mandatory for all exporters

Three Core Requirements

1

Deforestation-Free

Coffee must not come from land deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. Satellite imagery and geolocation data required as evidence.

2

Legal Production

Produced in full compliance with Ugandan laws, land use rights, labour regulations, environmental standards, and tax obligations.

3

Due Diligence Statement

Submit a DDS via the EU TRACES system. Must include geolocation coordinates of all production plots, risk assessment, and mitigation measures.

What Exporters Must Provide

GPS Coordinates
Polygon or single-point geolocation of all farms supplying the consignment (minimum 4 decimal places)
Risk Assessment
Documented assessment of deforestation risk for each source plot, including satellite imagery analysis
Traceability Records
Complete chain-of-custody documentation from farm gate to export point, including all intermediaries
DDS Reference Number
Due Diligence Statement number issued by EU TRACES, must accompany shipping documents
Legal Compliance Evidence
Land title/lease agreements, tax receipts, labour compliance records, environmental permits
Harvest Date
Documented harvest period proving coffee was harvested from established plantations pre-dating the cutoff

🔀 Is Your Consignment EU-Bound?

✅ Yes, Heading to EU
  • EUDR compliance is mandatory
  • Geolocation data for all source farms required
  • Complete risk assessment with satellite evidence
  • DDS registered in EU TRACES system
  • Non-compliant = rejection at EU port
  • Buyer may require third-party audit
ℹ️ No, Other Destinations
  • EUDR does not apply to non-EU shipments
  • UK: Environment Act 2021, similar due diligence framework emerging
  • Japan & US: proposed legislation in development
  • Middle East, Asia, Africa: no equivalent regulation yet
  • Recommendation: track origin data now to future-proof your supply chain

📚 Resources & Links

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