Kenya - Importing goods

ProcedureEdit

Duties and taxes are levied on any imported and exported goods before releasing them from Customs; except goods qualifying for special privilege according to the laws and regulations, whereby their duties and taxes are exempted.

Apply in Kenya

It is advisable to use the services of a clearing agent who can facilitate the process of preparing the necessary Customs documents.
When engaging with your preferred clearing agent ensure you provide all the importation documents including but not limited to:
- A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the PVoC agent for regulated products;
- an import standards mark (ISM) when applicable;
- Valid Commercial Invoice from the exporting firm
- Valid pro forma invoices from the exporting firm.
- Certificate of origin
- Freight invoice for sea cargo
- Logbook and its translation if it is not in English (motor vehicle)
- Permit/License for restricted goods
- Personal or Taxpayer Identification Number (PIN certificate)
- Exemption letter (in case goods are exempted)
- Purchase Orders/Contracts
- Certificate of Roadworthiness for Motor Vehicles
- Packing List
- Letter of Credit (if available)
The clearing agent will ensure that all the required documentation are attached and submit it, on your behalf, to the Customs Services Department.
With the assistance of the clearing agent you are required to declare the goods you are importing in the customs system. You will be required to fill a Import declaration form which the clearing agent will use to make entries into the customs system.
The Customs will then check the documents and release the goods for verification.
Verification will be done by the Customs and other interested regulatory bodies e.g. Kenya Bureau of Standards to determine the type, quantity and quality of goods imported
The verification will determine the duties and tax payable on the imported goods. This is determined using the East African Community Common External Tariff
After this the agent will be issued with a release order.
With the release order you are required to pay tax, duty and port charges after which the goods will be released to the clearing agent (or importer).
After payment, you can now collect your goods and transport them to your destination

Required DocumentsEdit

A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the PVoC agent for regulated products;
An import standards mark (ISM) when applicable;
Valid Commercial Invoice from the exporting firm
Valid pro forma invoices from the exporting firm.
Bill of Lading (sea cargo)/Airway Bill (air cargo)
Certificate of origin
Freight invoice for sea cargo
Logbook and its translation if it is not in English (motor vehicle)
Permit/License for restricted goods
Personal or Taxpayer Identification Number (PIN certificate)
Exemption letter (in case goods are exempted)
Purchase Orders/Contracts
Certificate of Roadworthiness for Motor Vehicles
Packing List
Letter of Credit (if available)

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Customs Services Department Head Office,
Forodha House, JKIA,
P.O. Box 00501-19070
JKIA, Kenya
Tel: +254 206 822 854/7/8 / +254 711 099 999
Email : [email protected] / [email protected]

Kenya Revenue Authority- Head Office
Times Tower, 19th Floor,
Haile Selassie Avenue
P.O. Box 30742
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel. 310900, 2813068 , 2813160 , 2812011.
Fax: 253532,240929 ,315987
Email: [email protected]
Website: Kenya Revenue Authority website

KRA Desk - Huduma Center Huduma Center Locations

i - Tax Protal i-Tax Portal

EligibilityEdit

Any person aged 18 years and above can import goods into the country.

FeesEdit

An import declaration fee (IDF) of 2.25% of the CIF Value subject to a minimum of 5,000.00 Kenyan Shillings is payable. Customs will assess duty payable depending on the value of the item(s) and the duty rate applicable.
The East African Community Common External Tariff laying out the duty rates of imported items is available.

ValidityEdit

The validity is forever.

Documents to UseEdit

Import declaration form

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Depends on the mode of importation and the distance between Kenya and the exporting country

InstructionsEdit

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

Required InformationEdit

Importers name and contact information
Sellers name and contact information
Importers PIN number
Country of supply
Port of discharge
Port clearance certificate
Mode of transport
Transaction terms
Invoice number
Currency of transaction
Freight details
Insurance details
Description of imported products

Need for the DocumentEdit

Importation allows one to bring in goods into Kenya from other countries,

Information which might helpEdit

To import any commodity into Kenya, an importer will have to enlist the services of a clearing agent who will process the import documentation through Kenya Customs electronically on the Simba 2005 system and clear the goods on your behalf.
Kenya has a pre-shipment inspection requirement (the Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity, or PVoC) for exports destined for Kenya.
Exports to Kenya must also obtain an additional Import Standards Mark (ISM), which must be affixed to a list of sensitive imported products sold in Kenya.
All Kenyan imports are required to have the following documents: Import Declaration Forms (IDF); a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the PVoC agent for regulated products; an import standards mark (ISM) when applicable; and valid pro forma invoices from the exporting firm.
All imports procured by Kenyan-based importers must be insured with companies licensed to conduct business in Kenya.
Importation of animals, plants, and seeds are subject to quarantine regulations.
Goods imported by or on behalf of privileged persons and institutions are entitled to special exemptions from tax duty. These include goods and equipment imported for use by the President; the Kenya Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of any allied power; diplomatic staff of the United Nations or its specialized agencies or any Commonwealth High Commission or of any foreign embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission; donor agencies, international and regional organizations with diplomatic accreditation, bilateral or multilateral agreements with Kenya; and the disabled, blind and physically handicapped.

External LinksEdit

OthersEdit

The Customs Union

The Customs Union is the first Regional Integration milestone and critical foundation of the East African Community (EAC), which has been in force since 2005, as defined in Article 75 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
It means that the EAC Partner States have agreed to establish free trade (or zero duty imposed) on goods and services amongst themselves and agreed on a common external tariff (CET), whereby imports from countries outside the EAC zone are subjected to the same tariff when sold to any EAC Partner State.
Goods moving freely within the EAC must comply with the EAC Rules of Origin and with certain provisions of the Protocol for the Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union.