Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition, and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) has listed four categories of commodities that will require an import permit before they get into the country.

The list, announced on February 18, followed government reforms aimed at streamlining service delivery in national quality infrastructure institutions.

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The government will no longer require export licenses, except when mandated by the importing country, as part of efforts to improve the business climate and boost growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

However, the reforms include a shift in the handling of import permits, which will now be required for high-risk products.

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"Import permits should be applied for before placing an order with the supplier,” RICA said in the announcement.

Below are the four categories of commodities that will require an import permit.

Agricultural products

According to RICA, agricultural products requiring an import permit include unprocessed and minimally processed plants, plant products, seeds, and planting materials.

The list also includes soil, living organisms, unprocessed and minimally processed animal products, and animal feeds.

Chemical products

Chemical products that require an import permit include agrochemicals, varnishes, paints, colors, solvents and their raw materials, as well as fuel additives.

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Electrical and electro-mechanical materials

Electrical and electro-mechanical products include solar panels and home solar systems as well as protective helmets for motorcycle and moped users.

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Construction materials

Construction materials that require an import permit include cement, plastic pipes, plastic water tanks, household plastics, and their raw materials.

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The list also includes steel hollow sections (tubes), steel for concrete reinforcement, and steel sheets and coils.

This list, which replaces the previous one issued in April 2024, and will be updated periodically.

Prudence Sebahizi, the Minister of Trade and Industry, recently told The New Times that all quality and safety licences/permits issued by regulatory bodies will be valid for five years.

Import permits/licenses, he explained, will only be issued for high-risk products to ensure safety.

For instance, he said the regulators would issue licences to "food items due to safety concerns, construction materials due to their structural requirements, electrical items due to fire safety concerns, chemicals due to environmental concerns, personal hygiene products due to their potential to contaminate users, and lubricants due to their potential to cause road traffic accidents if not properly controlled.”

All pharmaceuticals, medicated cosmetics, and medical devices (Class C and Class D) are considered high-risk products, he added.