Rwanda

Rwanda Customs Contacts 

Website: http://www.rra.gov.rw/spip.php?rubrique3 

Email: info@rra.gov.rw 

Telephone: +250 252595500

Rwanda is a country situated in central and east Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Commonwealth of Nations and East African Community.

Export procedure

Goods for exportation other than goods to which the provisions of regulations 132, 133, 134 and 135 apply shall be entered using form C17 Form.

Policy statement: The Department 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.

Import Procedures

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:

• 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.

Procedure 

The Clearing agent should fill the prescribed application form clearly specifying reasons for request of this special regime.

This application should be addressed to the Commissioner for Customs & Excise. 

The clearing agent submits the approved form to the special regime desk for processing.

If the application is approved, the Clearing agent prepares a provisional declaration and submits a copy to Special Regime Team office to calculate the correct amount to be deposited.

After payment of the deposit, the Head of Special Regime Team allocates special regime officer to accompany the consignment and conduct physical examination at the importer’s premises.

Sources:

http://www.rra.gov.rw/spip.php?article208 

http://www.rra.gov.rw/spip.php?article281 

http://www.rra.gov.rw/spip.php?article41