expenses liability undertaken by the right owner and in compensation of any prejudice if
there is found to be infringement.
If at the end of the period of suspension of release into free circulation of goods a decision in
case of merit is not rendered and where circumstances so require, the competent tribunal may
extend this period for successive periods of ten (10) working days from the end of the
previous suspension.
Article 284: Proceedings leading to decisions on the merits of the case
Where imported goods have been found to be infringing or are causing serious injury to
intellectual property right, the competent tribunal shall order the destruction of infringing
goods and the disposal of them outside the channels of commerce in such a way as to preclude
injury to the right owner, without compensation of any sort.
Where imported goods have been found to be counterfeit, the provisions of articles 262, 263
and 264 of this Law shall apply.
Where there are not found to be infringement to intellectual property right, the competent
tribunal order the applicant to pay the importer of the goods appropriate compensation for any
injury caused to him or her through the wrongful detention of goods.
CHAPITER III: OTHER PROVISIONS IN RELATION WITH SPECIAL BORDER
MEASURES
Article 285: De minimis imports
The provisions of this Law on special border measures shall not apply to small quantities of
goods of a non-commercial nature contained in the traveler’s personal luggage or sent in
small consignments.
Article 286: Goods in transit
The provisions of this Law on special border measures shall not apply to goods that are in
transit in the territory of Rwanda.
However, if the customs authority has information showing that the goods in transit in the
territory of Rwanda are counterfeit, special border measures shall apply.
Article 287: Appeal against decisions by the customs authority
The aggrieved party may lodge an appeal against any decision or measure taken by the
customs authority on or in connection with the suspension of release into free circulation of
goods. The appeal shall be lodged before the competent tribunal within five (5) working
days from the notification of the decision.
Article 288: Judiciary appeals
The aggrieved party may lodge an appeal against any decisions taken by the competent
tribunal on or in connection with the suspension of release into free circulation of goods. The
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