A. Key documentations/information required for imports clearance

• The Bill of Loading or Airway Bill

• Packing list

• Commercial Invoice

• Declaration form

• Certificate of analysis for the goods

• Notified mark for EAC goods

• Name, address and Telephone number(s) of the importer and/or Authorized Clearing Agent

• The location address of the importer’s warehouse

• An undertaking duly signed by the importer or his agent assuring GSA that the product released provisionally/conditionally will not be distributed or sold until RICA is satisfied with compliance status

B. Risk Selectivity at RICA

• High Risk - Red

• Medium Risk - Yellow

• No Risk – Green

• Blue introduced for Intra-regional goods that may require follow up inspection on arrival

High Risk Goods

High Risk Goods are goods that potentially have serious health, safety and environmental implications on the consuming public, animal or plant welfare.

The broad groupings of High-Risk Goods under RICA’s mandates include:

• Agrochemicals and agriculture tools;

• Plants and plant products;

• Non- medicated cosmetics of no therapeutic claims;

• Seeds; semen, fertilised eggs, seedlings and cuttings;

• Unprocessed food products that have not undergone significant transformation through industrial steps;

• Animal feeds;

• Construction materials and paints;

• Goods used in electrical installations, lighting systems and parts of electronic items;

• Motovehicles/ motocycles/bicycles spare parts;

• Chemicals for general purpose not intended for human body application,

• Textiles, rubber and leather products;

• Wood and wood products, art and craft materials ;

• Paper and paper products;

• Children’s toys and recreational tools;

• domestic appliances;

• Factory machinery for products regulated under this Présidentiels order, and

• Packaging materials for products regulated by this Presidential order.

Cargo inspection at the borders:

In the framework of trade facilitation, plant/animal protection as well as consumer protection, the Unit is required to have all key documentations required by ISO/IEC 17020:2012- Conformity Assessment Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspections.

Handling/Seizure of Nonconforming Imported Products

Goods found to be non-conforming to the applicable standard(s), specifications and labelling requirements are rejected and re-exported to the country of origin, re-worked where possible or disposed of in accordance with established environmental conditions. Disposal or re-export is done at importer’s cost.

Procedure for the clearing of High-Risk Goods

1. All importers of High-Risk Goods shall be required to register with RICA, however procedures for registration are under way;

2. Importers are encouraged to purchase the applicable Rwanda Standard(s) at Rwanda Standards Board and get acquainted with that standard, or send the standard to his/her supplier to make sure what is imported complies in full with the standard requirements;

3. Importers or their representatives send declaration to RICA through the ReSW;

4. Depending on importer’s Customs regime, some goods are cleared at Customs Bonded warehouse while others are given conditional release or Release Under Seal on the understanding that goods will not be disposed of until the outcome of Conformity Assessment has been determined;

5. Then the goods can be offloaded at importer’s premises but until inspection is completed and product is found to possess no risk, then the goods are finally cleared;

6. All imported high risk goods are required to be accompanied with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA)- for non-EAC origin or have a notified mark for EAC origin products;

7. Failure for the importer to provide a CoA or a notified mark means that the consignment is not given due urgent attention during clearance but instead where required, samples are taken for testing to check compliance with applicable Standard;

8. The importer is required to pay quality inspection fee and testing fee which are determined from time to time;

9. Upon arrival, and depending on the risk assessment rating, the products are subjected to the following:

• Visual inspection of product label and assessment of physical conditions of the product

• The inspector may take random samples for testing and verification of compliance with applicable standard requirements

• As soon as testing results are obtained, findings are communicated to the importer in writing especially where some measures have to be taken

1. The goods will be released if the following conditions are satisfied:

• The CoA/test report is authenticated

• The product is an origin of EAC Partner State and has an authentic notified mark

• The product label conforms to relevant requirements of the standard

• Other documents on the consignment are found to be adequate e.g. compliance with import permit conditions

• Clearance of the consignment is done after satisfactory inspection is done by the RICA’s Quality Inspector.

Key documentations developed

1. Import Inspection Procedure for General Cargo,

2. Import Inspection Procedure For Seeds/Plants And Plant Products,

3. Import Inspection Procedure For Animal Products and Feeds

4. Import Inspection Daily Flash Report,

5. Import Inspection Report,

6. Goods Released Under Seal Report Form,

7. Outside Inspection Report Form,

8. Goods Re-export Report Form,

9. Pest Risk Analysis Report Form,

10. Phytosanitary Import Permit,

11. Plant Quarantine Form,

12. Sanitary Import Permit,

13. Animal Products Quarantine Form,

14. Import Samples Identification Register.

C. Labelling Requirements for Imported Products

With respect to compliance inspection of imported goods, the following are the general labelling requirements but specifics are in respective standard

• Labelling requirements for the imported products

• Name of product

• Date of manufacture and Expiry date/Best before/Use by date in respect of the product

• Date of manufacture and Expiry date in respect of the product

• Storage conditions where applicable

• Instructions or directions for use where required

• Net content

• Name and address of manufacturer

• Country of Origin

• Batch/Lot number

• Electro-technical or chemical; characteristics for goods other than food and drugs

• Marks or labels shall be printed, impressed, embossed, or stamped

• Where marks or labels are stamped they shall be in indelible ink and legible.

• Information on products should meet the specific requirements of the applicable standard

General labeling conditions

• All information on the label in a foreign language other than English or French shall be translated into English or French. Failure to comply may lead to rejection of such goods/products.

• All electronic equipment/items and other item where applicable shall carry Guaranty/Warranty information of at least one year

• All electronic equipment/items and instruments shall carry safety information and/or safety signs.

• Air conditioners and Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) shall carry information on Energy Efficiency Ratings.

D. Sampling Requirements

• To ensure sampling is done in conformity with the applicable standard, appropriate samples from the consignment shall be drawn for laboratory analysis.

• Before sampling for testing, the product to be sampled must be complying with labeling requirements.

• The sample should be adequate in relation to precision required

• The sample should be representative of the lot or population