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Importers Procedures

In order to facilitate trade, RRA Customs Services Department has adopted some special regimes. This includes, Direct Delivery, Clearance on Truck, and Quick Release Regime offloads and Re-load of goods.

Quick Release (Q.R)

There are two types of Q.R special regimes; namely:

Quick Release with Deposit

  • This is where goods can be granted quick release after payment of the deposit, such goods include:
  • Perishable goods
  • Factory machinery spare parts or other factory material that may stop the functioning of the factory in case of shortage
  • Goods with doubtable origin in case investigations are being conducted on the certificate of origin
  • Fragile goods that can be damaged when offloaded e.g. glasses
  • Goods that are not offloaded in Kigali due to Contracts between the importer and the transporter e.g. Malt for BRALIRWA offloaded at GISENYI.

Procedure

  • The Clearing agent should fill the prescribed application form clearly specifying reasons for request of this special regime.
  • This application should be addressed to the Commissioner for Customs & Excise.
  • The clearing agent submits the approved form to the special regime desk for processing.
  • If the application is approved, the Clearing agent prepares a provisional declaration and submits a copy to Special Regime Team office to calculate the correct amount to be deposited.
  • After payment of the deposit, the Head of Special Regime Team allocates special regime officer to accompany the consignment and conduct physical examination at the importer’s premises.

Quick Release without Deposit

This is where the goods are granted Q.R special regime without payment of the deposit. These goods include the following:

  • Goods exempted from payment of duties and taxes
  • Goods that belong to the Government of Rwanda
  • Bank coins and notes

Procedure

  • The Clearing agent fills the prescribed application form clearly specifying reasons for request of this special regime.
  • This application should be addressed to the Head of Central Operations Division.
  • If the application is approved, the Clearing agent prepares a provisional declaration and submits a copy to Special Regime Team office.
  • The Head of Special Regime Team allocates special regime officer to accompany the consignment and conduct physical examination at the importer’s premises.

Clearance of goods on truck (“D.S.C”)

Goods, which can be granted this regime, fall into:

  • Identical goods that can be easily identified and verified when loaded on the trucks e.g. Sugar, Rice…
  • Goods that are not allowed in the Public Warehouse due to their nature e.g. Cement, Salt….
  • Heavy and bulky items that can be easily identified and examined when loaded on the trucks e.g. Machines, rolls for making iron sheets…

Procedure

The clearing agent fills a prescribed form applying for “D.S.C” special regime. This application form, accompanied by the manifest is submitted to Cargo Control office.

  • Cargo Controller or Warehouse Team Leader (depending on where the truck is parked) verifies the goods and establishes whether “D.S.C” regime should be granted or not, based on the nature of the goods.
  • Submits a detailed report to the commissioner for Customs & Excise.
  • The Commissioner’s decision is returned to the Cargo Controller who notes the granted regime.
  • The clearing agent prepares the declaration, which is submitted to the cargo controller for verification of goods and taxes and duties due.
  • When verification is done, the agent pays taxes and duties and then goods are released.

3. Offload and re-load of goods

This is where goods are offloaded and reloaded from and on the truck to be transported to the importer’s premises without placing them into the Public warehouse.

This regime is granted when:

  • Goods can be easily verified like rice, sugar….
  • There is no space in the Public warehouses to place the goods
  • Dangerous goods.

If the goods are on the list of the goods that are not allowed in the public warehouse, the Senior Manager Warehouse grants this regime. If the goods are not on the list, the permission is granted by the Head of Central Operations.

Examination of the goods placed under this special regime is not different from normal examination procedure in the clearance of goods on truck (“D.S.C”)

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