Customs clearing agent licensing in Rwanda
- How to apply
- Online application in RESW 1
- Guarantee
- Bank or insurance guarantee of at least RWF 150,000,000 1
- Clearance staff
- At least two, with a diploma in customs training 1
- Computers
- At least two, connected to the customs systems 1
- Validity
- One to three years 1
- Renewal
- Licences are renewable 7
- EAC fees
- US$50 application fee and US$400 licence fee 6
Who needs a licence
The RRA defines a clearing agency as an agency licensed to transact any business related to the entrance or exit of goods 1. An older RRA page says importers must use licensed clearing agencies to clear goods, citing the customs law 10.
In a notification to the World Trade Organization dated 22 August 2022, Rwanda said its licensing procedure for customs brokers is non-discriminatory and follows regulation 149 of the EAC Customs Management Regulations, 2010 5. The notification lists a review of the legal base to allow clearance without clearing agents as a need for assistance 5.
The same WTO record says goods valued below US$2,000 can be cleared without a broker. Customs officers generate a simplified declaration and payment is made in cash or through a bank 5.
Licence requirements
The RRA lists these requirements on its licensing page 1.
- An online application in RESW 1.
- Proof of office premises by lease or ownership, the memorandum and articles of association and the business registration certificate 1.
- Tax identification numbers for the company and its directors, proof of VAT registration and a current tax clearance certificate 1.
- Proof of a bank account and proof of affiliation to a recognized clearing and forwarding association 1.
- A valid bank or insurance guarantee of at least RWF 150,000,000 for transit and customs operations 1.
- At least two employees in charge of clearance with a diploma in customs training 1.
- Identity documents, passport photographs, employment contracts, CVs and criminal record clearance certificates for staff, and a recommendation letter from the former employer for staff moving from another agency 1.
- At least two computers connected to the customs systems 1.
- A director with a bachelor's degree or advanced diploma in management or a related field and two years of customs clearing experience, or a customs training certificate and five years of clearing experience 1.
Fees and validity
The RRA licensing page does not list an application fee or a licence fee 1. The US Department of Commerce guide for Rwanda, last published 18 March 2026, does not list one either 7. This page could not confirm from an RRA source the amount Rwanda charges.
The EAC Customs Management Regulations, 2010 set an application fee of fifty dollars on Form C.20 and a licence fee of four hundred dollars. A licence issued during a calendar year is charged pro rata 6.
The RRA says a licence is valid for one to three years as provided by the law 1. The US Department of Commerce guide says licences are renewable 7. Neither source gives a renewal deadline 1,7.
| Item | RRA licensing page | EAC Regulations, 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee 1,6 | Not listed 1 | US$50 6 |
| Licence fee 1,6 | Not listed 1 | US$400 6 |
| Clearance staff 1,6 | Two with a diploma in customs training 1 | Two with a diploma or certificate in customs training, or five years of customs experience 6 |
| Validity 1,6 | One to three years 1 | Fee charged pro rata within a calendar year 6 |
Duties of licensed agents
The RRA lists duties for licensed clearing agents 4.
- Show Customs, when asked, an authorization from each firm or person the agent acts for 4.
- Advise a client promptly of any error or failure to comply in a required document and tell Customs in writing 4.
- Pay duties, taxes and other amounts due to the government promptly and account to clients for money received for them 4.
- Do not try to influence customs officers through threats, false accusations, inducements or gifts 4.
- Do not lend money to RRA officers or act as surety for their loans 4.
- Tell Customs of any change of address before it takes effect 4.
Suspension and revocation
The RRA says Customs may suspend or revoke a licence on grounds that include these 3.
- Breach of any provision of the procedure manual 3.
- Negligence, delay or inefficiency in meeting licence obligations 3.
- Failure to comply with a bond executed under the manual 3.
- Punishment under the Rwandan Penal Code 3.
- Concealing or destroying business records, or refusing customs inspection of them 3.
- Failure to exercise due diligence to detect a client's untrue declaration 3.
Training and the association
FEAFFA lists the Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association (RWAFFA), at Prestige House in Kigali, as the Rwanda contact for EACFFPC training 8. A 2015 evaluation for TradeMark East Africa counts 299 people trained in Rwanda under the programme 9.
The RRA publishes reports on the average time each clearing agent takes to release goods, in days, hours and minutes 2.
Common questions
Who issues a customs agent licence in Rwanda?
The Rwanda Revenue Authority licenses customs clearing agencies 1,7.
How big is the guarantee for a Rwanda clearing agency?
The RRA requires a bank or insurance guarantee of at least RWF 150,000,000 for transit and customs operations 1.
How long is a Rwanda clearing agent licence valid?
The RRA says one to three years as provided by the law 1. The US Department of Commerce says licences are renewable 7.
How much is a customs agent licence in Rwanda?
The RRA licensing page lists no fee 1. The EAC Regulations of 2010 set US$50 to apply and US$400 for the licence 6.
Can I clear goods in Rwanda without a clearing agent?
An older RRA page says importers must use licensed clearing agencies 10. Rwanda's WTO record says goods below US$2,000 can be cleared without a broker 5.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Clearing agencies, licensing requirements (undated)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Customs clearing agents (undated)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Action in case of violations (undated)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Role of clearing agents (undated)
- WTO TFA Database: Rwanda, Article 10.6 use of customs brokers, notification G/TFA/N/RWA/4/Rev.1 (22 August 2022)
- EAC: Customs Management Regulations, 2010, text hosted by tralac (undated)
- US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration: Rwanda Country Commercial Guide, licensing requirements for professional services (18 March 2026)
- FEAFFA: EACFFPC training centres (undated)
- TradeMark East Africa: Summative Evaluation of the EACFFPC, by The Law and Development Partnership (8 May 2015)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Clearing agencies, older site page (undated)
Related
- Customs agent licensing in the East African Community
How the EAC Customs Management Act 2004 and the 2010 Regulations govern customs agent licences, fees, the practising certificate and FEAFFA.
- Customs agent licensing in Uganda
URA customs agency licence rules: Form C20 on the Single Window, US$50 and US$400 fees, competence tests, ASYCUDA World and UFFA.
- Customs agent licensing in Kenya
KRA customs agent licence rules: Form C20, US$50 and US$400 fees, the US$5,000 CB 11 bond, iCMS access and the role of KIFWA.
- Customs agent licensing in Tanzania
TRA rules for licensing clearing and forwarding agents: US$50 and US$400 fees, the TSh 100 million bond, TANCIS and the TAFFA association.
- The East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practising Certificate
What the EACFFPC is, who runs it, how long it takes, what it costs in Uganda, and how it links to customs agent licensing under EAC rules.
- Clearing agent fees and official import charges in East Africa
Clearing agent fee schedules in Tanzania and Kenya, licence fees agents pay, and official levies importers pay at clearance in Kenya and Uganda.
- Customs agent licensing in the DRC
How the DGDA approves customs commissionnaires in the DRC: who may apply, the documents, the bank bonds of US$100,000 to US$350,000 and how to apply.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Zambia
How ZRA licenses clearing agents in Zambia: section 182A, Form CE 34, company documents, staff qualifications, licence periods and removal in bond rules.