Cross-Border Logistics from Rwanda

Haraka Freight International provides cross-border logistics in Rwanda and across East Africa for businesses that buy, sell or deliver in more than one country. In Eastern Africa, we create and deploy practical transportation, warehousing and distribution services in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, as well as transit commodities to Goma and Bukavu.

Regional trade in the Great Lakes region depends on trucks crossing borders smoothly. Each border means a different customs authority, different documents and sometimes a change in rules or opening hours. Our job is to make those crossings predictable for you.

Cross-border logistics in Rwanda and beyond: what we cover

• Regional road transport between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, and to Goma and Bukavu
• Transit documentation for cargo crossing countries under customs control
• Border facilitation at the main crossing points
• Customs clearance at destination. See customs clearance in Rwanda.
• Warehousing and distribution hubs for regional stock. See warehousing.
• Local and regional distributions to customers in several countries
• Cargo insurance across the whole journey

East Africa cross-border logistics: how it works

East Africa has made real progress in making cross-border trade simpler. Under the East African Community's Single Customs Territory, goods arriving at Mombasa or Dar es Salaam for Rwanda, Uganda or Burundi are declared once, in the destination country, and taxes are paid there (Uganda Revenue Authority explainer (opens in a new tab)). On the Northern Corridor, transit trucks carry electronic cargo-tracking seals that report their position and any tampering to the revenue authorities.

That still leaves plenty to manage:

• Getting the destination declaration right before the cargo leaves the port
• Transit bonds or guarantees for cargo crossing third countries
• Health, phytosanitary, standards or other permits for regulated goods
• Different rules and documents for countries outside the Single Customs Territory, such as the DRC
• Changes in border status, security conditions and procedures

Regional logistics from Rwanda

Kigali is a natural hub for regional logistics. From Rwanda, goods can reach:

Borders change: we plan for it

Cross-border transport in this region has to adapt to events. For example, Burundi closed its land border with Rwanda in January 2024; the border has remained closed to people while goods continue to move (KT Press, September 2026 (opens in a new tab)). In May 2026, the Goma–Rubavu crossings were closed for about a month after an Ebola case was confirmed in Goma, then reopened with strict health screening (The EastAfrican (opens in a new tab)).

Because of this, we confirm the current routing, border post and documents for every shipment before dispatch, and we will tell you plainly if a lane is disrupted.

Cargo we move across borders

• Consumer goods, food products and beverages
• Construction materials, steel and cement
• Machinery, vehicles and spare parts
• Humanitarian and project cargo
• Dangerous and perishable cargo, with the right handling

Our process

1. Route planning. We agree the origin, destination, borders and timing with you.
2. Documents. Export, transit and import paperwork is prepared for every country on the route.
3. Loading. We collect from the port, your supplier or our warehouse.
4. Border crossings. Our team coordinates each border and resolves queries.
5. Clearance and delivery. The cargo is cleared at destination and delivered.

Route guides

For lane-by-lane details, see our routes from Mombasa to the DRC, Dar es Salaam to Burundi, Kenya to the DRC and Tanzania to Burundi, or the full list of freight routes. Our guide to cross-border logistics between Rwanda, the DRC and Burundi covers the local land borders in detail.

Why choose Haraka for cross-border logistics

• Regional footprint in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with transit to Goma and Bukavu.
• One team for road transport, clearance, storage and distribution.
• Honest updates when borders or conditions change.
• Custom-tailored solutions for each cargo and route.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries do you cover for cross-border logistics?

We provide transportation, warehousing and distribution services in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, and move transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What is transit cargo?

Transit cargo is cargo that passes through one or more countries under customs control without being imported there, for example a container landed at Mombasa and trucked through Kenya and Uganda to Rwanda. Duties are paid only in the final destination country.

What happens if a border closes while my cargo is on the way?

We monitor border status and reroute where possible, for example by switching corridor or border post. We keep you informed and agree any change in plan or cost with you before acting.

Do I need different documents for each country?

Some documents travel with the cargo all the way, such as the invoice, packing list and transit declaration. Others are specific to the destination, such as import permits or cargo tracking notes. We prepare the full set before the truck leaves.

Can you deliver to several countries from one shipment?

Yes. Goods can be consolidated, stored in Rwanda and distributed to different countries, or split at the port and sent directly to each destination.