Rwanda customs
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Get import & export customs regulations, restricted items and food restrictions before travelling to Rwanda. Items allowed to import is Perfume and eau de toilette up to 500mL, of which 125mL may be perfume. Prohibited items is Counterfeit currency and goods. Some of restricted items are Postal franking machines require a permit granted by a competent authority.
Import Regulations
Free to import items into Rwanda
Tobacco
- 250 grams total of any tobacco products.
Other items
- Perfume and eau de toilette up to 500mL, of which 125mL may be perfume.
- Personal goods up to the value of RF500,000.
Prohibited items into Rwanda
- Counterfeit currency and goods.
- Pornographic and obscene media.
- Matches manufactured with white phosphorus.
- Any article made without proper authority which bears the Armorial Ensign or Coat of Arms of a partner state.
- Distilled beverages containing essential oils or chemical products which are injurious to health.
- Narcotic drugs under international control.
- Hazardous wastes and their disposal.
- Any product containing mercury.
- Used tyres for light commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
- Some agricultural and industrial chemicals.
Restricted items into Rwanda
- Postal franking machines require a permit granted by a competent authority.
- Traps capable of killing or capturing game animals require a written permit.
- Unwrought precious metals and precious stones.
- Arms and ammunitionspecified under Chapter 93 of the Customs Nomenclature.
- Ossein and bones treated with acid.
- Other bones and horn - cores unworked, defatted, simply prepared, and waste of these products.
- Ivory, elephant unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape.
- Teeth, hippopotamus, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape.
- Other ivory unworked or simply prepared but cut to shape.
- Ivory powder and waste.
- Tortoise shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, powder and waste of these products.
- Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared but not otherwise worked shells of molasses, crustaceans or echinoderms and cattle-bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape powder and waste thereof.
- Natural sponges of animal origin.
- Spent, irradiated fuel elements of nuclear reactors.
- Worked ivory and articles of ivory.
- Ozone depleting substances.
- Genetically modified products.
- Non-indigenous species of fish or egg of progeny.
- Psychotropic drugs under international control.
- Historical artefacts.
- Telescope sights or other optical devices suitable for use with arms.
- Bows, arrows, fencing foils, or toys under Chapter 95 of the Customs Nomenclature.
- Collectors' pieces or antiques guns and ammunition.
- Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits.
- Pets are subject to certain import requirements. For further information, please visitRwanda Agriculture and Livestock Inspection and Certification Services.
Rwanda travel details
Export Regulations
Free to export items from Rwanda
No rules presentProhibited items from Rwanda
- Please see prohibited import list.
Restricted items from Rwanda
- All goods which are regulated under the EAC Customs Management Act.
- Waste and scrap of ferrous scrap iron.
- Timber from any wood grown in the Partner States of the EAC.
- Fresh unprocessed fish (Nile Perch and Tilapia).
- Wood charcoal.
- Protected species and products protected under CITES may require a permit for export.
Rwanda visa advice
If you're considering exploring Rwanda beyond the usual transit spots, our comprehensive guide on Rwanda transit visa offers deeper insights and broader options for travelers of different nationalities. For those transiting through other countries en route to Rwanda, understanding Rwanda Transit Visa requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.