Where could you sell?

East African Community Customs Union

Goods that meet the EAC rules of origin move duty-free and quota-free between partner states. Imports from outside the bloc face the Common External Tariff.

Markets

• Kenya
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Burundi
• South Sudan
• DR Congo
• Somalia

Rules of origin

• Wholly obtainedProduced entirely in an EAC partner state (Rule 5).
• Change of tariff headingNon-originating inputs are transformed into a different tariff heading.
• Value additionImported content is 60% or less of the ex-factory cost, or local value added is at least 35% of the ex-factory cost (Rule 6).

COMESA Free Trade Area

Preferential or duty-free treatment between COMESA Free Trade Area participants for goods meeting the COMESA rules of origin.

Markets

• Egypt
• Kenya
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• DR Congo
• Sudan
• Malawi
• Mauritius

Rules of origin

• Wholly producedWholly produced or obtained in a member state.
• Change of tariff headingSufficient working or processing per the COMESA schedules.
• Value additionNon-originating materials at 60% or less of the total cost of materials, or value added of at least 35% of the ex-factory cost (25% for goods of particular economic importance).

Not every COMESA member participates in the Free Trade Area. Confirm the destination country's FTA status before relying on preference.

African Continental Free Trade Area

Progressive tariff liberalisation on the large majority of tariff lines between State Parties trading under approved schedules of tariff concessions.

Markets

• Ghana
• Nigeria
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Cameroon
• Other AU state parties

Rules of origin

• Wholly obtainedProduced entirely within a State Party.
• Change of tariff classificationSubstantial transformation as defined in the product-specific rules.
• Value additionThresholds are set product by product in Annex 2 (updated January 2024). There is no single percentage that applies to all goods — check the schedule for your HS code.

Preference depends on both countries trading under AfCFTA schedules for your product. Confirm with RRA before quoting duty-free prices.

EU Everything But Arms (GSP)

As a least-developed country beneficiary, Rwanda has duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for all products except arms and ammunition.

Markets

• European Union (27 member states)

Rules of origin

• EU GSP product-specific rulesCombine wholly-obtained, change-of-heading and value-added tests per product. Use the EU Access2Markets rules of origin self-assessment tool for your HS code.
• CumulationRegional and bilateral cumulation is permitted under the GSP origin rules.

The Rwandan REX registering authority was not confirmed from an official page.

African Growth and Opportunity Act

Duty-free access to the US market for eligible products. Rwanda is AGOA-eligible, but its apparel benefits were suspended with effect from 31 July 2018.

Markets

• United States

Rules of origin

• Value additionBroadly a 35% value-added requirement, alongside wholly grown, produced or manufactured tests. Confirm the current rules with USTR or US Customs.

Apparel benefits are suspended. Detailed origin rules and the Rwandan issuing authority need confirmation.

World Trade Organization membership

Most-favoured-nation tariff treatment as the baseline where no preferential agreement applies. Also sets the technical barriers to trade and sanitary/phytosanitary notification framework.

Markets

• All WTO members

Rules of origin

• No preferential originMFN trade does not require a preferential certificate of origin, but the importing country's product standards and import rules still apply.

Certificate of origin

Proves your goods originate in Rwanda so the destination country can apply preferential duty. Applied for online with the commercial invoice attached; RRA reports issuance free of charge.

Applies to: Any exporter claiming preference under EAC, COMESA or AfCFTA.

Export customs declaration

Every export consignment is declared electronically to Customs before clearance. Step-by-step procedures are published on the Rwanda Trade Portal.

Applies to: All exporters.

The name of the current electronic declaration system was not confirmed from an official page.

Product certification (S-Mark)

Certification of a product against Rwandan or EAC standards. Certified products carry the Standardization Mark, which buyers and regulators in export markets commonly ask for.

Applies to: Manufactured and processed products, especially food and beverages.

Phytosanitary / sanitary certificate

Plant and animal health certification required by most importing countries for agricultural and food consignments. Legal basis: Law No. 16/2016 on plant health protection.

Applies to: Exporters of plants, plant products, live animals and animal products.

This function moved from the Rwanda Agriculture Board to RICA. Confirm the current issuing office before applying.