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Restricted Items

For the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft, certain items are not allowed on board the plane or in your checked baggage. These include but are not limited to, explosives, flammable liquids and solids, and firearms. Please ensure that you do not pack items specified in this list in your carry-on or checked baggage. Medicinal articles are exempt from these prohibitions for passengers holding a prescription with an authentic professionally printed label that identifies the medical office, pharmacy, or manufacturer of the medication.

  • 1. Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles – devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile

    • Firearms of all types, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns
    • Toy guns, replicas and imitation firearms capable of being mistaken for real weapons
    • Component parts of firearms, excluding telescopic sights
    • Compressed air and CO2 guns, such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns
    • Signal flare pistols and starter pistols
    • Bows, cross bows and arrows
    • Harpoon guns and spear guns
    • Slingshots and catapults

  • 2. Stunning devices – devices designed specifically to stun or immobilize, including:

    • Devices for shocking, such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons, WWHIPS
    • Animal stunners and animal killers
    • Disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and sprays, such as mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays

  • 3. Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge – objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury, including:

    • Items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers
    • Ice axes and ice picks
    • Razor blades
    • Box cutters
    • Knives with blades of more than 6 cm
    • Scissors with blades of more than 6 cm as measured from the fulcrum
    • Martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge
    • Swords and sabres

  • 4. Workmen’s tools – tools capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the safety of aircraft, including:

    • Crowbars
    • Drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills
    • Tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm capable of being used as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels
    • Saws, including cordless portable power saws
    • Blowtorches
    • Bolt guns and nail guns

  • 5. Blunt instruments – objects capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit, including:

    • Baseball/Cricket and softball bats, golf clubs, hokey sticks, billiard cues
    • clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks martial arts equipment

  • 6. Explosives and incendiary substances and devices – explosives and incendiary substances and devices capable or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft, including:

    • ammunition
    • blasting caps
    • detonators and fuses
    • replica or imitation explosive devices
    • mines, grenades and other explosive military stores
    • fireworks and other pyrotechnics
    • smoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridges
    • dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives

  • 7. RwandAir also prohibits any other article, which in the reasonable contemplation of the aerodrome manager or aircraft operator might be used or adapted for causing injury or incapacitate of a person.

Please note that all aforementioned prohibited items will be seized at the boarding gate by the Local authorities and depending on local rules and regulations, items may not be returned to you. Dangerous Goods or Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) are items or articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment and classified as following:

  • Explosives
  • Gases
  • Flammable Liquids
  • Flammable Solids
  • Oxidizing substances and Organic Peroxides
  • Toxic and Infectious Substances
  • Radioactive Material
  • Corrosives
  • Miscellaneous Dangerous substances and articles, including environmentally hazardous substances

Liquid and Gels in Hand Baggage

As of 1 June 2007, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommends all liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols up to 100 ml must be carried in one transparent and re-sealable plastic bag to a maximum capacity of 1 Liter. The transparent bag dimensions should not exceed 20 cm x 20 cm or 8 inches x 8 inches. Containers over 100 ml will not be accepted even if they are partially full. All items must fit comfortably in the plastic bag. You are required to keep your clear transparent bag of liquids separately for security screening.

There are no restrictions on baby food and medication. However, you will be required to present a medical certificate for medication taken onboard.

Electric Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes) are Illegal in Rwanda and Prohibited Onboard RwandAir Flights

As of 2019, Electric cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, or vape pens, are strictly prohibited in Rwanda. In line with national regulations, RwandAir strictly prohibits the carriage of e-cigarettes on board any of its flights, regardless of the departure or destination points. This prohibition applies to all passengers, including those traveling to or from Rwanda or transiting through RwandAir's hubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

01. What is RwandAir's baggage policy for checked baggage?

RwandAir's baggage policy for checked baggage varies depending on your fare class and route. Typically, passengers in Economy Class are allowed one or two pieces of checked baggage, each with a maximum weight limit, while Business Class passengers have higher allowances. Check the baggage allowance for your specific flight and fare class on our Baggage Allowance page.

02. Can I carry cabin baggage, and what are the size and weight restrictions?

Yes, you can carry cabin baggage on RwandAir flights. The size and weight restrictions for cabin baggage may vary, so please check our Baggage Allowance page for the most up-to-date information. Generally, Economy Class passengers are allowed one piece of cabin baggage, while Business Class passengers may have additional allowances.

03. Are there any excess baggage fees, and how can I pay for them?

Yes, if your checked baggage exceeds the weight or piece limit, you may be subject to excess baggage fees. These fees depend on your route and the excess weight or pieces. You can pay for excess baggage at the airport or online during the booking process to save time and money.

04. Can I bring sports equipment or special items like musical instruments on my flight?

RwandAir allows the carriage of special items like sports equipment and musical instruments, but there may be additional charges or size/weight restrictions. Please refer to our Baggage Allowance page for specific guidelines and fees related to these items.

05. What should I do if my baggage is delayed, lost, or damaged during my journey?

If your baggage is delayed, lost, or damaged, please report it to RwandAir's Baggage Services at the airport immediately. You will receive a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). For lost baggage, we will make every effort to locate it. For damaged baggage, please keep all relevant documentation and contact us for assistance.

06. Can I purchase additional baggage allowance in advance?

Yes, you can purchase additional baggage allowance in advance through our website or by contacting RwandAir's Customer Service. Buying excess baggage online is often more cost-effective than doing so at the airport. Be sure to check our Baggage Allowance page for details on fees and limitations.

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