Fondly known as “The Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is so much more than the legacy of the 1994 genocide or its mountain gorillas as depicted in the 1988 drama/historical film Gorillas in the Mist.
You’ll be treated to incredible sights of nature such as rainforests, lakes, mountains, and volcanoes, as well as warm and friendly people when you arrive.
Situated in the heart of Africa, Rwanda is a relatively young country that’s bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indeed, 50% of its population is under 20 years old, while the median age stands at 22.7 years.
Rwanda has undertaken massive reforestation and tree-planting efforts, and its capital Kigali also boasts the title of Africa’s cleanest city. Kenya’s Nairobi, on the other hand, is reputed to be one of the most innovative cities in Africa.
While the official and common language in the country is Kinyarwanda, English, French, and Kiswahili are also considered official languages. This means that individuals making the international move from Kenya to Rwanda will still be at home in the country.
It helps that Kenya and Rwanda are friendly with one another. They were the first within the EAC block to waive work permit fees for their nationals who were interested in relocating to either country for work.
Kenya and Rwanda were among the first three countries to sign and ratify AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) in 2018, which is a mark of their progressive stance on the free movement of people as well as intra-African trade.
But while Kenya and Rwanda are both in the East African Community and the African free trade area, they do not share a border. There are, therefore, certain guidelines that one must follow when relocating from Kenya to Rwanda.
1. International Import and Export Processes for Both Countries Must be Followed
Because you’ll be making a move that spans borders when you relocate your household from Kenya to Rwanda, you must be ready to adhere to the import and export processes that have been put in place by both countries.
Household goods dispatched from Kenya must be approved by Kenyan customs, whereas imports into Rwanda need approval from the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) before entry.
You must process approval from RRA before your household goods and personal effects leave Kenya, for instance, so that you may be issued an Exit Note.
Obtaining this Exit Note might be somewhat inconvenient — it can cause several days’ delay from the time packing is completed to the date of dispatch — but it smoothens the customs process for your goods before they’re permitted entry into Rwanda.
2. Used Household Goods and Personal Effects are Allowed Tax-Free, with Conditions
Foreign nationals with long-term work permits are normally allowed to ship their household goods and personal effects duty-free into Rwanda.
If one is a returning citizen, however, he or she must have lived at least 2 uninterrupted years outside Rwanda to be able to qualify for the same treatment.
For household goods and personal effects to be allowed duty-free into Rwanda:
- They must have been owned and used by the owner for a minimum of 12 months
- They must be imported within 6 months of their owner’s arrival
- Their owner must have lived abroad for at least 1 year
- They must not be sold, lent, or otherwise disposed of during their owner’s stay
- There must be no new items—new items incur a tax
It’s advisable to send all necessary documents to your appointed moving company at least 2 weeks before the arrival of your shipment so that your goods may be granted duty-free clearance.
The household goods and personal effects of diplomatic visa holders are also granted tax and duty-free entry. They must send their documents to their Destination Agent 15 days before they arrive so that free entry can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These documents include:
- Diplomatic passport
- Diplomatic card or “Carte d’assistance technique”
- “Note Verbale” that has been obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Letter of recommendation from one’s Embassy or Mission
- Comprehensive inventory in English or French that’s been dated and signed
- Power of attorney authorizing the Destination Agent to arrange customs clearance
3. Kenyans, Like Other Foreign Nationals, Need Rwandese Work Permits
All foreign nationals working in Rwanda, Kenyans included, need to have Rwandese work permits in place.
Work permits are obtained from the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) offices, and they are renewed every two years. Kenyans and other EAC nationals don’t pay for resident/work permits or entry visas.
Work permit holders have the right to change employers during the validity period of their permits. You will be required to inform the DGIE in writing, however, as well as present a resignation or termination letter from the previous employer when renewing your permit.
You may apply for or renew your permit in the Immigration and Emigration section of the irembo government portal.
On another note, Rwanda requires diplomatic visa holders who desire to work in the local economy to waive their diplomatic immunity and use their regular passports when they apply for work permits.
4. You Must Have an RRA Tax Identification Number (TIN)
The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) requires all taxpayers in Rwanda to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
The RRA TIN is a nine-digit tax processing number that’s used for tax filing purposes. It’s meant to comply with Rwanda’s tax laws and provide a means to efficiently process and account for tax payments and returns.
It’s an offense to borrow or intentionally use another person’s TIN to clear your goods. You must, therefore, apply for an RRA TIN and use it to clear your household goods at Rwandan customs.
RRA has offices in all 30 districts of Rwanda, so you may be able to obtain your TIN from any one of them.
5. Returning Rwandan Citizens Must First Check Their Status with RRA
Rwandan nationals who are moving back to Rwanda need to first check their status with the RRA before their household goods arrive at the border.
Like returning citizens in the rest of the East African nations, Rwandans with unfiled returns, outstanding taxes, or any other unresolved issues with their domestic revenue authority are required to first deal with such issues.
Only afterward can their household goods and personal effects be cleared for entry into Rwanda tax-free.
Rwandan citizens moving back from Kenya to Rwanda must also report to the Rwandese embassy in Nairobi to get their packing lists endorsed ahead of their travel.
6. Final Customs Clearance is Done at The Dry Port of Magerwa in Kigali
Household goods and personal effects being imported into Rwanda undergo final customs clearance at the dry port of Magerwa in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
While a customs interview in person is not necessary for your household goods to be cleared at Magerwa, clearance is usually done at the discretion of the customs officer at the border. This requirement applies to all imports, even diplomatic ones.
7. Goods Are Subjected to 100% Physical Verification by RRA During Customs Clearance
Household goods and personal effects are subjected to 100% physical verification by RRA during customs clearance.
Any brand new items found in the shipment are charged the appropriate taxes and duties.
All imported goods, regardless of their exemption status, are also subjected to a 0.2% Quality Inspection Fee (QIF) which is computed based on their customs value.
8. RRA Officers Accompany Your Goods to Their Destination
Rwanda Revenue Authority officers usually accompany your household goods right to your doorstep to ascertain delivery.
These Special Regime Officers who accompany the shipment not only confirm that goods are delivered to the address you declared but also break the container’s seal.
9. Moving from Kenya to Rwanda is Normally Done by Road
Rwanda is a landlocked country that has land borders with four countries. As such, shipping household goods from Kenya is normally done by road, with the most convenient route being through Uganda.
Your shipment will typically enter Rwanda at either Kagitumba or Gatuna border points, or less commonly through Cyanika. Gatuna sits across the Ugandan border town of Katuna, while the Cyanika border point sits adjacent to Kyanika in neighboring Uganda.
While the Gatuna border point is in operation for 24 hours, Cyanika operates from 5 AM to 8 PM, and Kagitumba from 6 AM to 8 PM. Rwanda’s DGIE lists the operational hours and other relevant border management information regarding its border posts online.
10. A Move from Nairobi to Kigali Can Be Completed in 7-8 Days
Once you contract the services of a professional mover who’s well-versed in helping clients make international, cross-border moves, you’ll be settled in Rwanda comfortably and in no time.
It’ll only take you between 7 and 8 days from the time packing is completed to delivery. And while delivery might mean different things to different service providers, at Nellions it means ensuring your house is also set up and ready for your immediate occupancy.
Naturally, you’ll want to have provided all the necessary documents to be able to enjoy this kind of turnaround time. To recap, here are all the documents you’ll need to ensure your household goods enter Rwanda duty-free:
- Copy of your passport
- A residence/work permit or a work visa
- Letter of employment
- Original bill of lading
- Packing list
- Power of attorney giving the Destination Agent authority to arrange customs clearance
- Original comprehensive valued inventory list (in English or French) that’s dated and signed by the shipper
If you’re interested in finding out more about making the move from Kenya to Rwanda, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free quote and advice from East Africa’s top moving and relocations experts, Nellions.
