JVK Africa Ltd.
KG213 Street 74
Remera
Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250-784-93639
E-mail: Please contact branch through the Contact Us page

RWANDA
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS

The Shipper MUST be in the country when the goods arrive. Original passport is required.

Household goods and vehicles MUST be cleared separately.

Returning Residents out of Rwanda for 2+ years and Rwanda Diplomats: In order to get duty and tax free entry for returning residents they must have been out of the country a minimum of 2 years (only for Returning Rwandan’s). The goods must be imported within 6 months of their return arrival date. Failure to do so results in Duty and Taxes applying. New Items are subject to Import Duties and Taxes @25% as well as VAT @18%.

               Documents required:

• Original passport
• Packing list in English (no abbreviations)
• Valued Inventory list in English
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
• Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification number) & Value Added Tax (VAT) no.
• Duty/Tax Exemption docs for Diplomat shipment
• Duty/Tax Exemption request to RRA Gikondo office for Returning Rwandan’s.
• Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Foreign or Temporary residents: The goods must be imported within 6 months of the consignee’s arrival in Rwanda. Failure to do so results in Duty and Taxes applying. New Items are subject to Import Duties Taxes @25% as well as VAT @18%

Documents Required:

• Original Passport
• Valid work permit
• A letter of employment or contract from employer
• Packing list in English (no abbreviations)
• Valued inventory list in English
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
• Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification number) & Value Added Tax (VAT) no.
• Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

Diplomats: The shipper must be in Rwanda prior to the arrival of his goods and he must an accredited diplomat with the Rwanda Department of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic shipments can ONLY be cleared in Kigali.

 Documents Required:

• Original Diplomatic passport & Diplomat card/ID.
• Duty/Tax Exemption docs by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Rwanda
• Copy of inventory and value
• Bill of Lading/Airway Bill

MOTOR VEHICLES (AUTOS AND MOTORBIKES)

Returning Nationals who have lived abroad for more then 2 years are allowed to import one motor vehicle duty and tax free provided the vehicle was registered in the shipper’s name in the country of Origin.

Temporary Foreign Residents are allowed to import one motor vehicle duty and tax free within the first 6 months of their arrival in Rwanda (date of issue of the work permit), provided that the vehicle was registered in the shipper’s name in the country of Origin. Vehicle should be left hand drive and not older than 8 years.

Foreign Diplomats may import 1 vehicle maximum duty and tax free.

Vehicles belonging to returning Rwanda Diplomats can only be cleared in Kigali.

Documents required for import:

• Original certificate of registration (cancelled at origin) and ownership
• Purchase invoice or letter of sale in English
• Valuation certificate
• Certified Copy of passport, showing date of departure and date of return.
• Duty/Tax Exemption docs for Diplomat’s
• Duty/Tax Exemption request to RRA Gikondo office for Returning Rwandan’s.
• Individual TPIN (Tax Payer Identification number) & Value Added Tax (VAT) no.

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

Prohibited:

• Unlawful drugs and narcotics
• Pornography
• Counterfeit Items
• Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance
• Henna
• Palm Trees and any byproducts
• Explosive Materials

Alcohol, Spirits, Cigarettes should be sent separately from personal effects shipment and are subject to high duty tax. Firearms and ammunition can only be imported with authorization from the territorial administration. Endangered species and any products or parts thereof require authorization from CITES. Any hunting weapons require authorization from the Ministry of Interior.

CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Please contact the JVK office for consignment instructions.