Rwanda introduces import levy to curb plastic pollution

RWANDA – The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has announced an additional tax on imported goods packaged in plastic materials and single-use products as part of Rwanda’s efforts to tackle plastic pollution.

Minister Yusuf Murangwa announced that the levy, set at 0.2% of the value of imported goods, will take effect in July.

The new tax, approved as part of recent government reforms, aims to support plastic waste collection and recycling.

t aligns with Rwanda’s 2019 law banning single-use plastics, which mandates an environmental levy on plastic-packaged imports.

“The levy is timely because local manufacturers have been paying Rwf120 per kilogram for plastic packaging, while imported goods in plastic materials were exempt,” Murangwa explained.

“This imbalance was unfair to local businesses.”

Closing the loophole on plastic packaging

The levy is expected to create a level playing field between domestic producers and importers. Currently, local manufacturers using plastic packaging must contribute towards waste management, while foreign-packaged goods have not been subject to the same charges.

Murangwa assured that the 0.2% levy on imports would exceed the cost borne by local producers, ensuring a stronger financial commitment from importers towards environmental sustainability.

Minister of Trade and Industry Prudence Sebahizi echoed this sentiment, noting that the absence of an import levy had previously made locally bottled water and other plastic-packaged products more expensive than their imported counterparts.

“Local manufacturers could not package their products in plastic without paying a levy, yet imported goods in plastic were entering the market without any additional charge,” Sebahizi said.

“This created an unfair price advantage for imports from countries like Kenya and Uganda. With the new levy, prices of imported plastic-packaged goods will likely rise by 0.2%, allowing consumers to make purchasing decisions based on price differences.”

Exceptions and recycling agreements

While Rwanda enforces strict regulations on single-use plastics, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) has set guidelines for exceptional cases.

Manufacturers requiring plastic packaging, as well as importers of home-compostable single-use plastics, can apply for exemptions.

Certain industries—including medical, agricultural, waste management, and construction—are allowed to use single-use plastic items under strict conditions.

Essential products such as food, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies that require plastic packaging for quality preservation are also permitted.

However, companies using such packaging must sign agreements with the Ministry of Environment to ensure proper collection and recycling of plastic waste.

The introduction of the import levy marks another step in Rwanda’s ongoing fight against plastic pollution.

By holding both local and foreign businesses accountable for their plastic waste, the government aims to reinforce its position as a leader in environmental sustainability in Africa.

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