Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has urged importers to take advantage of customs facilitation schemes designed to ease international trade and reduce costs.
In a meeting held on Friday with businesses that bring goods into the country, RRA officials explained the benefits of programs such as the Gold Card Scheme, Duty Remission and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO).
Importers were reminded of the requirement to use original invoices for all goods brought in to ensure compliance.
The facilitation schemes are part of Rwanda’s strategy to simplify trade and attract more participation in global markets. According to RRA, the Gold Card Scheme and the AEO program provide faster clearance of goods, expedited processing of customs paperwork and in some cases, waiver of movement bond requirements.
Companies that comply with customs regulations can also benefit from quicker handling of refund claims and fewer delays at border points.
Under the Duty Remission Scheme, manufacturers are allowed to import raw materials or capital goods without paying duties when those inputs are used to produce goods for export.
The measure is aimed at reducing costs for local producers and strengthening Rwanda’s competitiveness in regional and international trade.
The meeting highlighted other measures in place to facilitate trade, including pre-clearance and pre-payment options that allow importers to complete customs processes before goods arrive, as well as post-clearance auditing to verify declarations after importation.
Officials stressed that misuse of the schemes or failure to provide proper documentation could lead to penalties or loss of privileges.
RRA said the facilitation initiatives form part of its wider Tax Compliance Improvement Plan for 2023–2024, which focuses on supporting businesses while ensuring fairness and integrity in the customs system.
Importers were encouraged to formally apply for the programs they qualify for, provide the necessary documents, and maintain high standards of compliance.
The authority believes that by embracing these schemes, businesses will cut costs, improve predictability in their operations and strengthen Rwanda’s integration into regional and global supply chains.
