Tanzania Certificate of Conformity (PVoC) Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) is a program to ensure that products imported into the country comply with the applicable technical regulations. The certificate of conformity resulting from the positive assessment must be provided during customs procedures.

Consignments of goods subject to mandatory regulation may be subject to one of three possible assessment schemes, depending on the frequency of shipments and the type of exporter.

Scheme A: This is a scheme available to all goods, regardless of whether the exporter is a producer or trader. This scheme requires the inspection and testing of consignments by an authorized inspector.

Scheme B: This is a scheme that includes an annual record of renewed products and the issuance of a certificate of conformity per consignment of products (including surveillance and random testing by a designated inspector).

Scheme C: This is a scheme suitable for manufacturers who have successfully implemented a quality management system in their production cycle. Includes product licensing and certification of conformity per product shipment (including random surveillance but without testing as in Scheme B)

Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) is a program implemented by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards to verify that products to be imported into Uganda comply with quality and safety standards and correspond to the quality control policy of other member states of the East African Community. According to the program, all product shipments to Uganda must be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (COC).

Meanwhile, goods with an FOB value of less than 2000usd can be shipped to the country without obtaining a COC before export. In this case, the goods are subject to UNBS inspection at the destination.

One of the following assessment methods is applicable depending on the volume and frequency of shipments:

• Route A – Testing and inspection

Product groups that cannot be subjected to other routes (Fresh Dairy Products, Cereals, used and second-hand products, etc.)

• Route B – Product Registration
• Route C – Production License

Accordingly, depending on the route chosen, different assessment methods (and their combination) are applicable: assessment and control of documents, laboratory testing, pre-shipment surveillance, factory surveillance.