How to Ship Cargo from Mombasa to DRC, Rwanda and Burundi
Our hub guide to shipping through the port of Mombasa to Rwanda, the DRC and Burundi, with links to detailed guides for each destination and city.
Mombasa to Rwanda Logistics and Freight
From discharge at the port of Mombasa to delivery in Kigali, managed by one team.
Haraka Freight International manages Mombasa to Rwanda logistics for importers who ship through Kenya's main port. Mombasa is the start of the Northern Corridor, the road and rail route that links the Kenyan coast with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern DRC and South Sudan. We take over when your container is discharged and stay with it until it is delivered in Kigali or anywhere else in Rwanda.
As a Mombasa Rwanda freight forwarder, we handle the transit documents, trucking, border crossings and customs clearance together, so there is no gap between the port and your door.
The Mombasa to Kigali route
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Port of Mombasa | Container discharged; manifest and pre-arrival declaration lodged; release for transit |
| Kenya | Road journey under customs control. Some cargo moves by rail inland first |
| Kenya–Uganda border | Crossing at Malaba or Busia |
| Uganda | Transit through Uganda towards the Rwandan border |
| Uganda–Rwanda border | Crossing at Gatuna/Katuna or Kagitumba/Mirama Hills |
| Rwanda | Arrival at a bonded facility or border post; clearance by the Rwanda Revenue Authority; delivery |
The port is run by the Kenya Ports Authority (opens in a new tab), and the corridor is coordinated by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (opens in a new tab). Transit trucks on this corridor carry electronic cargo-tracking seals that report their position to the revenue authorities of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
What our Mombasa to Rwanda logistics service includes
- Checking the bill of lading, invoice and packing list before the vessel arrives
- Preparing the Rwanda customs declaration early, under the Single Customs Territory
- Port release and container collection at Mombasa
- Mombasa to Kigali transport by truck: FCL containers, break-bulk and project cargo
- Border facilitation in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
- Customs clearance in Rwanda and delivery to your premises
- Optional warehousing, devanning and distribution in Kigali
- Cargo insurance for the whole journey
Step by step: port of Mombasa to Rwanda
- Before arrival. You send us the shipping documents. We check them, confirm any permits and prepare the declaration.
- Discharge and release. The vessel arrives and the container is discharged. Once customs and the shipping line release it, we arrange collection.
- Loading and dispatch. The container is loaded onto a truck, sealed for transit and dispatched.
- Corridor transit. The truck crosses Kenya and Uganda. We follow it and deal with any border queries.
- Clearance in Rwanda. Duties and taxes are paid, any inspection is completed and the cargo is released.
- Delivery. We deliver to your address and return the empty container as agreed with the shipping line.
Documents for Mombasa to Rwanda shipping
- Original or telex-released bill of lading
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Certificate of origin, where it gives preferential duty
- Import permits or product certificates for regulated goods
- Importer's tax registration details
- Insurance certificate, if insured
Avoiding delays and extra costs
- Free time. Shipping lines and the port allow a limited number of free days before storage, demurrage and detention charges start. A complete declaration lodged before arrival is the best way to stay inside them.
- Document errors. Differences between the invoice, packing list and bill of lading cause queries. We check them before the ship arrives.
- Container return. Empty containers must go back to the shipping line's depot on time. We plan the return trip with the delivery.
- Overweight containers. Axle-load rules apply on the corridor. We check weights before dispatch.
Mombasa or Dar es Salaam for Rwanda?
Dar es Salaam is the other main gateway for Rwanda. Which is better depends on your shipping line's schedule, current port conditions and your cargo. We compare both: see Dar es Salaam to Rwanda logistics and our guide to Mombasa vs Dar es Salaam.
Related services
Rwanda freight forwarding from Mombasa often combines several of our services: freight forwarding, road transport, customs clearance and cross-border logistics. For cargo continuing beyond Rwanda, see Mombasa to DRC and Mombasa to Burundi. For a full walkthrough, read how to ship cargo from Mombasa.
Frequently asked questions
How does cargo travel from Mombasa to Kigali?
Containers are discharged at the port of Mombasa, released for transit under customs control and trucked along the Northern Corridor through Kenya and Uganda into Rwanda, where they are cleared and delivered.
Where is cargo from Mombasa cleared, in Kenya or in Rwanda?
Under the EAC Single Customs Territory, goods for Rwanda are declared once, in Rwanda, and duties are paid there. The declaration is prepared early so the cargo can leave Mombasa without waiting.
How long does Mombasa to Kigali transport take?
Transit time depends on port dwell time, documentation, truck availability, the road journey and border processing. We give an estimate for your booking and update you as the cargo moves.
Can you also handle the sea freight to Mombasa?
Yes. We can book the ocean freight from the origin port as well as the Mombasa to Rwanda leg, so the whole shipment is under one plan.
What does Mombasa to Rwanda shipping cost?
It depends on the container size, cargo, port charges, trucking rates and timing. Send us your details for an itemised quote.
Related articles
Transit Cargo from Mombasa: Customs, Documentation and Delivery
What happens to transit cargo at the port of Mombasa, from the manifest and pre-arrival declarations to release, electronic cargo tracking, free time and the hand-over at the border.
Mombasa vs Dar es Salaam: Choosing the Right Port for Central Africa Cargo
A practical comparison of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam for cargo going to Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC, by destination, cargo type and corridor, with a simple decision framework.