Rwanda
RW · RWA
As of: 6/27/2026
Binnenstaat im ostafrikanischen Hochland; Drehscheibe fuer die Grosse-Seen-Region mit Luftfracht-Hub Kigali und Anbindung ueber Nord- und Zentralkorridor an die Haefen Mombasa und Daressalam.
Capital: Kigali
EAC / COMESA / AfCFTALandlockedRoadAirImport VAT: Einfuhr-MwSt (VAT) Standardsatz 18 Prozent auf den ZollwertCustoms: mittelRisk: mittelPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: mittelE-Commerce: niedrig bis mittel
Overview
Rwanda (ISO code: RW) is a landlocked country in East Africa bordering Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a presidential republic with a centralized administration, known for political stability and strong governance reforms. The climate is equatorial highland with mild temperatures and two rainy seasons. The economy rests on agriculture (notably coffee and tea), mining (tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold), services and a fast-growing technology and conference sector. Foreign trade is dominated by agricultural and mineral exports, while energy, machinery, vehicles and consumer goods are largely imported. Because Rwanda is landlocked, logistics rely on the Kigali International Airport air hub and on road transport along the Northern Corridor to Mombasa and the Central Corridor to Dar es Salaam. Customs clearance is digitised through the Rwanda Electronic Single Window based on ASYCUDA World, and the Kigali Logistics Platform dry port in Masaka consolidates regional cargo. The national currency is the Rwandan Franc (RWF). Rwanda is a member of the East African Community, COMESA and the AfCFTA, positioning Kigali as a regional trade and aviation hub for the Great Lakes region.
Mentioned countries
Area26,338 km²
Population14,256,567
CurrencyRwandan Franc (RWF)
Economic areaEAC / COMESA / AfCFTA
ContinentAfrica
ReligionsChristentum
ISO codeRW / RWA
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA)Import system
Elektronische Abfertigung über das Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW) auf ASYCUDA-World-Basis. Tarifierung nach dem EAC-Gemeinsamen Aussenzoll (0/10/25/35 Prozent) auf den CIF-Wert.
Export system
Ausfuhrabwicklung ebenfalls über das ReSW/ASYCUDA World bei der RRA. EAC-Ursprungswaren werden zollfrei gehandelt; für Mineralien gelten zusätzliche Zertifizierungs- und Kontrollpflichten.
Import VAT
- Einfuhr-MwSt (VAT) Standardsatz 18 Prozent auf den Zollwert
- Erhebung durch die RRA. Zusätzlich Umweltabgabe von 0,2 Prozent des Zollwerts auf in Kunststoff verpackte Importe (seit 2025).
Customs complexitymittel
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- Importdeklaration (ReSW)
- Ursprungszeugnis (EAC/COMESA)
- Konformitäts-/Inspektionsnachweise (RSB)
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Luftfrachtbrief / Konnossement
- Ausfuhrdeklaration (ReSW)
- Ursprungszeugnis (EAC/COMESA/AfCFTA)
- Mineralien-Zertifikat (ICGLR)
Origin proofs / FTA
Präferenzieller Ursprungsnachweis erforderlich: EAC-Ursprungszeugnis innerhalb der Zollunion, COMESA-Zertifikat sowie AfCFTA-Nachweise. Ohne gültigen Ursprungsnachweis gilt der EAC-Drittlandszoll.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Verbote und Beschränkungen u.a. für Waffen, gefährliche Abfälle und bestimmte Gebrauchtwaren; Einwegplastiktüten sind verboten. Arzneimittel und Lebensmittel unterliegen Genehmigungs- und Konformitätspflichten.
Export controls & sanctions
Ruanda steht nicht unter umfassenden internationalen Sanktionen und setzt als UN-Mitglied Beschlüsse des UN-Sicherheitsrats um. Für den Mineralienexport gelten regionale Rückverfolgbarkeits- und Zertifizierungsregeln (ICGLR).
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Cargo airports
- Kigali International Airport (KGL)
- Bugesera International Airport (im Bau, Phase 1 ab 2027 geplant)
Inland ports & terminals
- Kigali Logistics Platform / Masaka (Trockenhafen, DP World)
- Kiyanzi Dry Port (nahe Grenzposten Rusumo)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Nordkorridor: Mombasa-Kampala-Kigali (ca. 1.700 km)
- Zentralkorridor: Daressalam-Kigali (ca. 1.300 km)
- Kigali-Rusumo (Grenze Tansania)
- Kigali-Gatuna/Katuna (Grenze Uganda)
Rail corridors
- Geplante SGR-Strecke Isaka (Tansania)-Kigali zur Anbindung an das tansanische Bahnnetz (in Planung)
Top trade lanes
- Ruanda-China
- Ruanda-EU (Belgien/Deutschland)
- Ruanda-VAE (Dubai)
- Ruanda-EAC (Kenia/Uganda/Tansania)
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskmittel
Customs delay riskmittel
Port congestion riskmittel
Risk notes
Binnenlage bedingt lange Transitwege und höhere Transportkosten über Mombasa oder Daressalam. Korridor- und Grenzabfertigung sowie regionale Spannungen mit Nachbarländern können Lieferketten verzögern.
Seasonal & weather risks
Äquatoriales Hochlandklima mit zwei Regenzeiten (etwa Februar-Mai und September-Dezember). Starke Niederschläge können Strassen und Korridorabschnitte beeinträchtigen.
Current logistics notes
Stand 2026: Bau des Flughafens Bugesera (Phase 1 ab 2027 geplant); Kigali Logistics Platform in Masaka (DP World) als Trockenhafen aktiv. SGR-Bahnanbindung Isaka-Kigali in Planung.
As of: 2026-06-27
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
More content for this country
As content becomes available, additional information and articles will automatically appear here.
Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-06-27
Official sources
- rra.gov.rw, sw.gov.rw, statistics.gov.rw, trade.gov
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
Is Rwanda landlocked and how is freight transported?
Yes, Rwanda is landlocked. Overseas freight moves by truck via the Northern Corridor to the port of Mombasa (around 1,700 km) or the Central Corridor to Dar es Salaam (around 1,300 km); time-critical and high-value goods travel by air through Kigali.
What is the import VAT rate in Rwanda?
The standard VAT rate is 18 percent, collected by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA). Since 2025 an environmental levy of 0.2 percent of customs value applies to imports packaged in plastic.
Which customs system does Rwanda use?
The RRA processes imports and exports electronically through the Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW) based on ASYCUDA World. A single declaration covers multiple agencies, and clearance often takes under a day.
What import duties apply in Rwanda?
The EAC Common External Tariff applies with bands of 0, 10, 25 and 35 percent on the CIF value. Goods of EAC origin are traded duty-free; some products carry diverging stay-of-application rates.
Which seaports does Rwanda use for overseas trade?
As Rwanda has no seaport of its own, it uses Mombasa (Kenya) via the Northern Corridor and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) via the Central Corridor. The Kigali Logistics Platform in Masaka serves as a dry port for customs clearance and container handling.
What does Rwanda mainly export?
Key exports are coffee and tea as well as minerals such as tin ore (cassiterite), coltan/tantalum, tungsten and gold, complemented by re-exports. The main trading partner is China.
What role does Kigali airport play in logistics?
Kigali International Airport is the country's central air cargo hub and home base of RwandAir. To add capacity, the new Bugesera International Airport is being built, with its first phase planned to open from 2027.
Which trade partners are important for Rwanda?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Rwanda?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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