Exporting fresh produce from Rwanda

Checked October 2026. Procedures and fees change - always confirm with the agency before you rely on them.

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Rwanda needs a NAEB horticulture export licence before you export, and a phytosanitary certificate from RICA for every consignment.

1. One-time registrations (do these first)

1. Company registration and TIN
   Register the business and get a TIN.
2. Tax and social security clearance
   Apply online for the RRA tax clearance and RSSB contributions clearance certificates (RWF 5,000 and RWF 10,000).
3. NAEB horticulture export licence
   Required for all horticulture exports. Apply to NAEB's Quality Assurance and Regulatory Division with the signed form, company documents, directors' IDs, evidence of overseas clients, your target markets and the two clearance certificates. NAEB visits every farm where the export crop is grown before issuing it. Takes about 7-15 days; valid one year. rwandatrade.rw
4. RIMS / eRALIS account
   Register as a user on the RICA RIMS portal (eRALIS) to apply for phytosanitary certificates online. You need an email address, your national ID number and TIN.
5. REX number for the EU
   For the EU, register as a REX exporter with your customs authority so you can write the statement on origin on your invoice. Below EUR 6,000 per shipment, any exporter can make the statement without REX registration.

2. For every shipment

1. Pay the application fee
   Get a payment advice ticket on the RRA non-fiscal services page (provider MINAGRI, service 'Plant health certificate') and pay the RWF 200 fee at a bank or online.
2. Apply and get inspected
   Apply on RIMS with the payment receipt, the export contract and the importing country's import permit where needed. A RICA inspector checks the produce at your packhouse, or at the airport cold room for chilled produce.
3. Phytosanitary certificate
   Issued by RICA when the produce passes - usually the same day, at most 2 days. rwandatrade.rw
4. Origin and commercial documents
   Statement on origin (REX) for the EU, or the right certificate of origin for EAC and COMESA markets, plus invoice, packing list and air waybill.

3. Crop rules

Hot peppers to the EU

The EU checks 50% of Rwandan hot pepper consignments for pesticide residues at the border (Regulation 2026/194). Residue testing before shipping is strongly advised.

Peppers, citrus, peaches, pomegranates to the EU

Peppers (Capsicum), citrus other than lemons and limes, peaches and pomegranates going to the EU must meet special rules for false codling moth: a pest-free area or place of production, or a registered production site with an approved systems approach or treatment. The details go on the phytosanitary certificate - agree the option with your plant health agency before the season.

Buyer certifications

Not required by government, but most buyers ask for them.

• GLOBALG.A.P. is what most EU supermarket buyers ask for. Use the Readiness check in the app to see your gaps.

Who does what

Selling to the EU

Rwanda sells to the EU duty-free under Everything But Arms (EBA). It has signed the EU-EAC Economic Partnership Agreement, which is not yet in force. Under EBA, proof of origin is a statement on origin by a REX-registered exporter.

Sources

• Rwanda Trade Portal - Horticulture export licence
• Rwanda Trade Portal - Phytosanitary certificate
• RICA - Farm product and processes inspection unit
• NAEB - For exporters
• EU Regulation 2026/194 - increased border checks (Annex I of Regulation 2019/1793)
• COLEAD - EU false codling moth rules (Regulation 2022/959)
• EU Access2Markets - REX registered exporter system

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