Clearing and Forwarding Services for Cargo Moving Across East Africa

Ask ten importers in Kigali, Kampala or Bujumbura who handles their shipments and many will answer with two words: "the C&F agent". Clearing and forwarding in East Africa is how most businesses get goods from a supplier abroad into their warehouse. But the phrase covers two different jobs, and understanding the difference helps you choose the right provider, read quotes properly and avoid gaps where nobody is responsible.

This article explains what clearing and forwarding means, how the work is divided, how it changes when cargo crosses several East African borders, and what to look for in a provider.

Two jobs in one phrase

Clearing is the customs work. A clearing agent, also called a customs agent or customs broker, prepares and lodges customs declarations, works out and pays the duties and taxes on the importer's behalf, answers customs queries, attends inspections and obtains the release of the goods.

Forwarding is the transport work. A freight forwarder plans the route and organises the carriers: the shipping line or airline, the port or airport handling, the trucks, any warehouse, and delivery to the consignee. The forwarder also manages documents such as bills of lading and delivery orders.

A clearing and forwarding agent does both. That combination is especially common in East Africa, where the customs steps and the transport steps are tightly linked: a truck cannot leave a port until customs has released the cargo, and customs often cannot finish until the goods are presented at a border or office.

Clearing agent vs freight forwarder: who does what

The shared lines are where problems arise when two separate companies are involved. If you use separate providers, agree in writing who handles each one.

How clearing and forwarding works across East Africa's borders

In a single country, clearing and forwarding is fairly simple. In East Africa, a shipment for Kigali, Bujumbura or Goma usually crosses at least two countries after it lands, and each has its own revenue authority:

• Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab) (KRA)
• Tanzania: Tanzania Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab) (TRA)
• Rwanda: Rwanda Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab) (RRA)
• Burundi: Office Burundais des Recettes (opens in a new tab) (OBR)
• DRC: Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (opens in a new tab) (DGDA)

Regional integration has simplified a lot of this. Under the EAC Single Customs Territory, goods for Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi are declared once, in the destination country, which collects the duties and authorises release at the port; the port country supervises the goods until they leave (TRA explainer (opens in a new tab)). For the DRC, cargo moves in transit through East Africa and is cleared by the DGDA on arrival.

This means a clearing and forwarding provider for the region needs to be comfortable with both models, and with the transit declarations and bonds that connect them.

A typical import into Kigali, step by step

To make this concrete, here is how clearing and forwarding usually fits together for a container shipped from Asia to Kigali via Mombasa or Dar es Salaam:

1. Planning. The forwarder and importer agree the route, the Incoterm and the documents. The clearing side checks the tariff classification and any permits needed in Rwanda.
2. Origin. The supplier ships. The forwarder checks the draft bill of lading, invoice and packing list.
3. Pre-arrival. The clearing agent lodges the Rwandan declaration under the Single Customs Territory while the ship is at sea. Duties are paid or secured.
4. Port release. The forwarder arranges the delivery order with the shipping line and pays port charges; customs authorises release.
5. Transport. A truck carries the container along the corridor under customs supervision.
6. Arrival. The goods arrive in Rwanda. If selected, they are inspected; then they are released.
7. Delivery. The forwarder delivers to the importer and arranges the return of the empty container.

When one team handles both sides, steps 3 and 4 happen together, which is where most time is saved.

Exports and re-exports

Clearing and forwarding works in the other direction too. Exporters of coffee, tea, minerals or manufactured goods need export declarations, any product certificates required by the buyer's country, and transport to the port or airport. Re-exports, such as equipment brought in temporarily for a project, need the customs procedures that allow them to leave without paying full import duties. Our customs clearance in Rwanda service covers imports, exports and special procedures.

Documents a clearing and forwarding agent will ask for

Fees, duties and how to compare quotes

A clearing and forwarding quote typically has two parts:

• service fees and third-party charges: clearing fees, forwarding fees, port and shipping line charges, transport, bonds, storage and insurance;
• duties and taxes: set by law according to the goods' classification, value and origin, and paid to the revenue authority.

The first part is where providers compete. The second should be the same whoever you use, as long as the goods are classified and valued correctly. Be wary of any provider who suggests duties can be reduced by describing goods vaguely or undervaluing them: it can lead to penalties, seizures and long delays.

Choosing a clearing and forwarding provider

Look for:

• experience with your destination and your type of goods;
• confidence with transit declarations and bonds if your cargo crosses borders;
• a clear explanation of what is included in the quote;
• early document checks, before the goods ship;
• a single point of contact and regular updates.

Our article on how to choose a freight forwarder for DRC and Burundi shipments turns these points into ten questions and a comparison table.

How Haraka Freight helps

Haraka Freight International offers clearing and forwarding as one service. Customs clearance is offered as part of our own services, and we also offer a stand-alone, full customs clearance and brokerage service for importers, exporters and local and overseas cargo agents. Combine it with our freight forwarding, road transport and warehousing services for a complete solution, or use it on its own when your transport is already arranged.

Conclusion

Clearing and forwarding in East Africa is two jobs that need to move in step: customs and transport. With several countries, several revenue authorities and two customs models in the region, the provider you choose makes a real difference to how quickly your goods arrive. Choose one that checks documents early, explains its fees clearly and keeps the declaration and the truck moving together. To get started, request a quote.

Sources: Rwanda Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab); Kenya Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab); Tanzania Revenue Authority (opens in a new tab); TRA, Single Customs Territory (opens in a new tab); OBR (opens in a new tab); DGDA (opens in a new tab).

Published 14 October 2026 · Last updated 14 October 2026

Haraka Freight International Logistics Team

Haraka Freight International Ltd is a logistics company based at Ituze House, KG 11 Avenue, Bibare, Kigali, Rwanda. We handle freight forwarding, customs clearance, IOR/EOR and DDP shipments, warehousing, trucking and regional distribution in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu.