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Transit Goods Regulations
Documentation is done by a clearing agency on behalf of the importer/exporter. Clearing Agencies present transit declarations (IM 8) to Customs through the Bureau or Remote DTI. Agencies must be careful while filling the documentation form, especially on section indicating the correct country of destination and the exit office. Here is an example: if the country of destination is Democratic Republic of Congo then the possible codes of offices of destination are 31GC, 41MU, 41CY, 41BU.
Registered transit declarations with supporting documents are presented to Customs through the Acceptance desk and follow the approved Declaration Processing Path.
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Registered transit declarations with supporting documents are presented to Customs through the Acceptance desk and follow the approved Declaration Processing Path.
Immigration Regulations
Citizens of countries members to the following international organizations; African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie get visa upon arrival and are waived visa fees for a visit of 30 days.
A citizen of East African Community Member States shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months.
The following countries to be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state Qatar.
Citizens of all countries that are not visa exempt, have also option to submit application online Click here or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence before departure. Those applying online have option to pay online or upon arrival.
Application for visa extension is submitted at Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration offices. Detailed requirements are set out in the Information for applicants for each class of visa.
Extension of a visa should be applied for whilst initial visas remain valid.
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A citizen of East African Community Member States shall be issued a pass/entry visa free of charge upon arrival to stay for the period of six months.
The following countries to be granted 90 days valid visa free of charge upon arrival: Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state Qatar.
Citizens of all countries that are not visa exempt, have also option to submit application online Click here or at the Rwanda Diplomatic Missions of the country of residence before departure. Those applying online have option to pay online or upon arrival.
Application for visa extension is submitted at Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration offices. Detailed requirements are set out in the Information for applicants for each class of visa.
Extension of a visa should be applied for whilst initial visas remain valid.
Emigration Regulations
Export Regulations
The Rwanda Revenue Authority shall endeavour to facilitate the exportation of goods from Rwanda subject to such terms and relevant authorities in respect of goods being exported may lay down conditions as. Goods may only be exported or accepted for carriage for export after such declaration or other acceptable documentation has been delivered to Customs, by the exporter or agent, and duly processed.
Prohibitions and Restrictions of exports:
The goods specified in Part A of the Third Schedule are prohibited goods and the exportation of the goods is prohibited (Section70 (1)) of the EAC CMA. The goods specified in Part B of the Third Schedule are restricted goods and the exportation of the goods, save in accordance with any conditions regulating their exportation, is prohibited ((Section70 (2)) of the EAC CMA. Customs Officers must therefore ensure that regulations in force for the control of restrictions and prohibitions of exports of any particular goods are observed.
Goods for Commercial Use:
Goods for commercial use intended for export must be entered on Customs declaration. The Customs procedure code to be entered will depend on the nature of the goods to be exported as per Customs Procedure Codes.
Travellers Samples and Temporary Exportations:
Where goods are being exported as samples or being exported for purposes of repair or replacement due to faulty manufacture, a duly completed declaration must be presented to Customs. Failure to do so may result into full duty being collected on such goods upon return to Rwanda.
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Prohibitions and Restrictions of exports:
The goods specified in Part A of the Third Schedule are prohibited goods and the exportation of the goods is prohibited (Section70 (1)) of the EAC CMA. The goods specified in Part B of the Third Schedule are restricted goods and the exportation of the goods, save in accordance with any conditions regulating their exportation, is prohibited ((Section70 (2)) of the EAC CMA. Customs Officers must therefore ensure that regulations in force for the control of restrictions and prohibitions of exports of any particular goods are observed.
Goods for Commercial Use:
Goods for commercial use intended for export must be entered on Customs declaration. The Customs procedure code to be entered will depend on the nature of the goods to be exported as per Customs Procedure Codes.
Travellers Samples and Temporary Exportations:
Where goods are being exported as samples or being exported for purposes of repair or replacement due to faulty manufacture, a duly completed declaration must be presented to Customs. Failure to do so may result into full duty being collected on such goods upon return to Rwanda.
Import Regulations
In order to facilitate trade, RRA Customs Services Department has adopted some special regimes. This includes, Direct Delivery, Clearance on Truck, and Quick Release Regime offloads and Re-load of goods.
There are two types of Q.R special regimes; namely:
1. Quick Release with Deposit
This is where goods can be granted quick release after payment of the deposit, such goods include:
• Perishable goods
• Factory machinery spare parts or other factory material that may stop the functioning of the factory in case of shortage
• Goods with doubtable origin in case investigations are being conducted on the certificate of origin
• Fragile goods that can be damaged when offloaded e.g. glasses
• Goods that are not offloaded in Kigali due to Contracts between the importer and the transporter e.g. Malt for BRALIRWA offloaded at GISENYI.
2. Quick Release without Deposit
This is where the goods are granted Q.R special regime without payment of the deposit. These goods include the following:
• Goods exempted from payment of duties and taxes
• Goods that belong to the Government of Rwanda
• Bank coins and notes
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There are two types of Q.R special regimes; namely:
1. Quick Release with Deposit
This is where goods can be granted quick release after payment of the deposit, such goods include:
• Perishable goods
• Factory machinery spare parts or other factory material that may stop the functioning of the factory in case of shortage
• Goods with doubtable origin in case investigations are being conducted on the certificate of origin
• Fragile goods that can be damaged when offloaded e.g. glasses
• Goods that are not offloaded in Kigali due to Contracts between the importer and the transporter e.g. Malt for BRALIRWA offloaded at GISENYI.
2. Quick Release without Deposit
This is where the goods are granted Q.R special regime without payment of the deposit. These goods include the following:
• Goods exempted from payment of duties and taxes
• Goods that belong to the Government of Rwanda
• Bank coins and notes