English
FrançaisComplaint
- Complaint number
- NTB-001-384
- NTB Type
- 1.8. Import bans
- Complaint
-
SUSPENSION OF IMPORTATION OF SELECTED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY RWANDA
On 5 August 2026, the Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), announced a temporary suspension of the importation of selected alcoholic beverages.
The suspension has disrupted the normal flow of trade and trade-related activities between Rwanda and its trading partners, thereby creating a potential Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) to trade.
The measure is also inconsistent with the principles and objectives of the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union and Common Market, particularly the commitment of Partner States to facilitate and promote the free movement of goods and enhance intra-EAC trade.
The Government of Rwanda is therefore requested to provide clarification on the basis and duration of the suspension and to consider appropriate measures to ensure that any regulatory interventions are implemented in a manner consistent with EAC obligations and do not unnecessarily impede legitimate trade among Partner States.
- Progress update note
-
1. On 22nd September 2026, the Secretariat reported that ; during the 41st RMC, Rwanda reported that the matter arises from public health concerns and market surveillance findings.
• Certain products were found to have regulatory compliance concerns.
• Temporary measures were introduced to protect public health while investigations continue.
• Public health measures are permitted under WTO and EAC frameworks when scientifically justified.
• Any restrictions should be supported by scientific evidence
Furthermore, Rwanda clarified that the measures taken were in line with main objective No 1 of the EAC Standardization, Quality Assurance, Metrology and Testing (SQMT) Act, 2006, which is “protect and improve the health and safety of consumers and the public in general”, and this agrees with Article 22(1)(c) of the EAC Customs Union Protocol. Where urgent safety or health problems arise or threaten to arise. This decision was an emergency and temporary measure to protect public health and consumer safety following serious health concerns, including prevention of further potential harm to consumers after reported cases of illness and death associated with the consumption/use of the alcoholic spirits. The measures undertaken by Rwanda cannot be classified as an NTB as Rwanda “like products” were affected by the same measures.
• Rwanda informed the RMC meeting that there are ongoing regional discussions regarding this matter. On 20 August 2026, the EAC Secretariat convened a consultative meeting attended by representatives from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and the EAC Secretariat. They agreed on a couple of actions and way forward including Rwanda to submit scientific analysis as evidence.
• Rwanda Therefore updated the meeting that the investigation is still ongoing and requested enough time due to the complexity of this issue on public health and that the scientific analysis as evidence will be shared to the Secretariat before the Next RMC meeting.
The matter should continue to be addressed through relevant EAC technical and standards committees alongside NTB discussions.
2. On 24 September 2026, Rwanda Focal Point reported that Rwanda does not consider this measure to constitute an NTB. The suspension was introduced as a public health measure and was applied equally to the affected products produced domestically and those imported from partner states and globally. The measure was therefore not targeting any country or product in specific. However, Rwanda also suspended the manufacture and distribution of the affected products by local manufacturers due to the same public health concerns. Accordingly, the measure should not be considered discriminatory, as it applied equally to locally manufactured and imported products. Rwanda therefore requests that NTB-001-384 be removed from the NTB Regional Online Reporting System.
- Policy or regulatory NTB
- No
- Location
- Rwanda: Rwanda Food and Drug Authority (Government institution)
- Reporting Country or Region
- Uganda
- Country specific trade issue
- No
- Date of incident
- 2026-08-05
- Status
- New
- Product Description
-
Alcoholic beverages.
- Total value
- 0
- Date reported
- 2026-09-03 17:08
- Modified
- 2026-09-03 17:08
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