Shipping from Dubai to RwandaShipping from Dubai to Rwanda, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Rwanda for businesses. Rwanda is landlocked, so we ship sea freight from Jebel Ali to Dar es Salaam or Mombasa with road transit to Kigali, and send air cargo from DXB to Kigali International Airport. We check Rwanda Revenue Authority and Rwanda Standards Board requirements before the cargo leaves.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Rwanda at a glance
Rwanda is landlocked. Containers come through Tanzania or Kenya by road, and air cargo flies into Kigali.
- Air
- DXB to Kigali (KGL)
- Sea
- Via Dar es Salaam plus road
- Customs
- Rwanda Revenue Authority
- VAT
- 18% on imports
Airports and seaports in Rwanda we ship to
Most containers come through Dar es Salaam and cross at Rusumo; some come through Mombasa and Uganda.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | KGL | Rwanda's main international airport | |
| Seaport (Tanzania) | TZDAR | Start of the Central Corridor to Rwanda | |
| Seaport (Kenya) | KEMBA | Start of the Northern Corridor via Uganda | |
| Land border | Road | Tanzania-Rwanda crossing on the Central Corridor |
Air, sea to Rwanda
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to KGL, direct or via a hub | About 1 to 3 days, plus clearance | Phones, parts, pharma | |
| Sea and road | Jebel Ali to Dar es Salaam, then truck to Kigali | Several weeks door to door | Containers of stock |
| Sea via Mombasa | Jebel Ali to Mombasa, then road through Uganda | Several weeks door to door | An alternative corridor |
We confirm current flights, sailings and border conditions for each booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Rwanda: what the importer needs
Rwandan importers clear goods with the Rwanda Revenue Authority through a licensed agent; transit is bonded.
| Item | In Rwanda |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Customs Services |
| Declaration | Electronic declaration with RRA |
| Importer registration | Tax Identification Number (TIN) with RRA |
| Duty and tax | EAC Common External Tariff, plus 18% VAT and levies |
| Trade agreement | No UAE-Rwanda trade agreement in force that we can confirm |
Transit through Tanzania or Kenya uses customs bonds; duty is paid in Rwanda.
Approvals to check before booking
Rwanda checks product standards for regulated goods.
- 01
Regulated products must meet RSB standards.
- 02
Rwanda FDA
Medicines and food need Rwanda FDA approval.
- 03
Agricultural goods
Plants and animal products need permits.
- 04
Cargo travels under bond through neighbouring countries.
- 05
Duty follows the East African Community tariff.
- 06
Matching documents
Transit and import papers must match.
Documents for shipping to Rwanda
Send these with your booking. Transit papers are prepared for the coastal port.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| Certificate of origin | Supports the origin declared |
| RSB or Rwanda FDA where needed |
Restricted or banned in Rwanda
- Medicines without approval
- Counterfeit goods
- Plastic bags (banned)
- Weapons without a permit
- Narcotics
Rwanda bans many single-use plastic products; check packaging too.
What UAE businesses ship to Rwanda
Dubai is a supply hub for Rwandan importers, with goods moving through East African corridors.
- 01
Electronics
Phones and IT equipment, often by air.
- 02
Machinery and parts
Equipment and spare parts by sea.
- 03
Consumer goods
Trading stock in containers.
Dubai to Rwanda shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneThey sail to Dar es Salaam or Mombasa, then go by road. The Central Corridor from Dar es Salaam crosses into Rwanda at Rusumo, while the Northern Corridor from Mombasa passes through Uganda. Cargo moves under customs bond and clears in Rwanda. Allow several weeks door to door.
- Air to Kigali is faster.
- We compare both corridors.
The Rwanda Revenue Authority clears imports. A licensed customs agent files the declaration for the importer, who needs a Tax Identification Number. Duty follows the East African Community tariff, with 18% VAT and other levies. Regulated products also need Rwanda Standards Board or Rwanda FDA approval.
- Transit is bonded until Rwanda.
- Documents must match exactly.
Yes, Rwanda bans many single-use plastic products. The ban covers plastic carrier bags and many single-use plastic items. Shipments packed in banned plastics can face problems at the border. Ask your supplier to use compliant packaging before the goods are shipped from Dubai.
- Check packaging, not just products.
- Some uses are exempt.
Yes, for phones, parts and urgent goods. Air cargo flies to Kigali International, directly or through a hub, and usually arrives within a few days. It avoids the long road transit from the coast. For large or heavy cargo, sea freight with road transit is usually cheaper.
- We confirm current flights.
- Clearance is at Kigali.