Rwanda exempts electric and hybrid buses from customs duty
Since 1 July 2026, Rwanda has applied a zero customs duty on electric and hybrid buses as well as on smart cards, as part of the EAC's annual revision of its common external tariff. Conversely, aluminium utensils see their customs duty rise from 25% to 35%.
Published · Updated
According to a KPMG briefing on the East African Community common external tariff for fiscal year 2026/2027, Rwanda has, since 1 July 2026, applied a 0% rate on electric and hybrid buses as well as on smart cards, continuing its stated policy of supporting electric mobility.
At the same time, the customs duty on aluminium kitchen utensils, often imported in large quantities from China, rises from 25% to 35%. As with other EAC countries, this increase reflects the sensitive-category classification intended to protect local or regional production.
Both measures took effect on 1 July 2026, at the start of the EAC's 2026/2027 fiscal year. The KPMG briefing consulted does not specify a duration for the exemption on electric and hybrid buses.
Rwandan transport operators importing electric or hybrid buses from China are affected, as are companies using smart cards, and importers and distributors of aluminium kitchenware.
What it changes for an importer
For a Sorva client importing Chinese electric or hybrid buses into Rwanda, the current absence of customs duty significantly reduces the vehicle's landed cost, whereas an importer of aluminium utensils must instead factor a 10-point increase into their margin calculation. Sorva can check the tariff classification of the targeted product with the client before the factory purchase, without standing in for Rwandan customs on the final decision or on clearance.
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