Money & duty free for Rwanda
Exchange rates:
Rwanda FrancC$1 = RWF610.23
€1 = RWF851.3
£1 = RWF1013.9
US$1 = RWF818.58
Currency & Money
One Rwandan Franc (RWF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of RWF 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of RWF100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. US dollars are also widely accepted.
A growing number of places accept credit and debit card, especially in Kigali. Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.
Traveller cheques are not popular nowadays. A few banks in Kigali accept them, but this service is unlikely outside of the capital.
Rwanda duty free
The following items may be imported into Rwanda by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 250g of tobacco products.
• 1L or spirits or 2L of wine.
• 500ml of perfume and eau de toilette, of which up to a quarter may be perfume.
• Goods up to US$500 in value.
Duty-free allowances are subject to change, sometimes at short notice due to policy updates or external factors. Information is correct at the time of writing; travellers should verify current allowances with official customs authorities before departure. We accept no liability for any inconvenience or loss arising from changes to these regulations.
Prohibited goods include counterfeit coins and notes, pornography, matches made with white phosphorus, distilled beverages such as absinthe, soaps and cosmetics containing mercury, used tyres, and counterfeit goods.
Restricted goods include animal traps, unwrought precious metals and stones, arms and ammunition, historical artefacts, ivory, rhino horn, tortoise shell, coral, and non-indigenous species of fish.
Plastic bags are also banned in Rwanda and cannot be brought into the country.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.
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