Digital services and data
Rwanda Electronic Single Window (ReSW)
Short answer
- Run by
- Rwanda Revenue Authority 1
- Phase I donor funding
- US$3.3 million from TradeMark East Africa, 2012 to 2014 2
- Status
- Live, listed as available on 24 October 2026 6
What the Single Window does
The Rwanda e-Single Window is a web portal where traders lodge the information and documents that import, export and transit rules require. Information goes in once at a single entry point instead of separately to each agency 1. The portal page lists simpler cross-border trade, real-time monitoring of consignments, lower business costs and more transparency as aims 1.
The Rwanda Revenue Authority annual report for 2021 to 2022 describes Phase II of ReSW as a single transaction portal with risk selectivity and an e-exemption module. It says ReSW creates a one-stop shop for customs operations 5.
History and dates
TradeMark Africa says the Rwanda Development Board started early work in 2005 and the World Bank completed a feasibility study in 2007. UNCTAD was contracted in 2011 as solution provider with ASYCUDA World as the central platform 4.
Sources disagree on the start date. An undated UNCTAD ASYCUDA case study says ReSW officially began in February 2011 3. The TradeMark East Africa evaluation dated 8 May 2015 says the system was piloted in February 2012 and fully rolled out in January 2013. A table in the same report says it was tested in mid-2012 and rolled out at the end of 2012 2.
TradeMark East Africa gave US$3.3 million for Phase I from 2012 to 2014. About US$1.9 million went to the UNCTAD contract 2.
Agencies connected
The 2015 evaluation lists the Rwanda Revenue Authority, the Rwanda Development Board, the Rwanda Standards Board and MAGERWA as connected, along with clearing agents. E-exemptions were in place for most ministries 2. MINAGRI and its agencies NAEB, RAB and RALIS, and the Ministry of Health, were not yet fully integrated at the time 2.
TradeMark Africa says its 2023 to 2030 strategy for Rwanda calls for completing the Single Window upgrade, full integration with related portals and e-certification 7.
Reported results
Sources report different clearance time figures over different periods.
| Source | Measure | Result |
|---|---|---|
| UNCTAD case study 3 | Import clearance time | 264 hours in 2012 to 34 hours in 2014 3 |
| UNCTAD case study 3 | Export clearance time | 67 hours to 34 hours over the same period 3 |
| TMEA evaluation, May 2015 2 | Import release time | Down 46 percent to 1 day 10 hours 55 minutes in Q4 2014 2 |
| TMEA evaluation, May 2015 2 | Export release time | Down 64 percent 2 |
| TradeMark Africa Rwanda page 7 | Average clearance time | 11 days in 2010 to about 1 day in 2014 7 |
How to use it
- Download the Java Web Start client from sw.gov.rw. The 3 GB client is the recommended default 1.
- Install Java 1.8, with version 1.8u201 recommended, and add the listed sites to the Java Exception Site List 1.
- To import a declaration from Excel, use the .xlsx format. The portal rejects the old .xls format and files with macros 1.
- For goods below RWF 500,000, use the Customs Mobile Declaration. Register at the nearest customs office. Payment details arrive by SMS 1.
- For help, call the Rwanda Revenue Authority on 3004 or WhatsApp +250 739 008 010 6.
Issues raised in the evaluation
The 2015 TradeMark East Africa evaluation found that release times still varied widely and that about one quarter of imports went through the red channel for physical inspection 2. It reported that the Rwanda Standards Board inspection share rose from 14 percent in 2012 to 42 percent in 2014, a figure the Standards Board disputed 2. It named retention of skilled IT staff as a key risk 2.
Common questions
What is the Rwanda Electronic Single Window?
A Rwanda Revenue Authority web portal where traders lodge import, export and transit documents once for all agencies 1.
When did the Rwanda Single Window start?
UNCTAD says February 2011 3. A TradeMark East Africa evaluation says it was piloted in February 2012 and fully rolled out in January 2013 2.
What software does the Rwanda Single Window use?
It runs on ASYCUDA World from UNCTAD and needs a Java 1.8 client 1,4.
Can small traders declare goods by phone?
Yes. The Customs Mobile Declaration covers goods valued below RWF 500,000 after registration at a customs office 1.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Rwanda e-Single Window (page viewed 24 October 2026)
- TradeMark East Africa: Formative Evaluation of the Single Window for the RRA Project, Final Report (8 May 2015)
- UNCTAD ASYCUDA Programme: Single Window, Rwanda (undated case study)
- TradeMark Africa, provider page: Single Window For Rwanda Revenue Authority Project (undated)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Taxes for Growth and Development, Annual Activity Report 2021-2022 (December 2022)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Website upgrade notice (page viewed 24 October 2026)
- TradeMark Africa, provider page: Rwanda (viewed 24 October 2026)
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