Kenya flag Kenya: Buying and Selling

International convention and customs procedures of Kenya

International Conventions
Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
Party to the International Coffee Agreement
International Economic Cooperation
Member of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Member of East African Community (EAC)

Member of African Union (AU)

Beneficiary of the Economic Partnership Agreements with the EU

Beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) program with the US

Beneficiary of the Generalised System of Preferences of the EU

Non Tariff Barriers
Non-tariff barriers include: slow customs services; packaging and labeling requirements; requirements in terms of the Certificate of Conformity and the Import Standardization Mark (ISM) for certain sensitive products.
Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports
11.62%
Customs Classification
Kenya applies tariffs based on the international Harmonized System (HS) product classification. For countries which are not members of the Community of African States a common external tariff is applied.
Import Procedures
It is essential to ensure compliance with Kenyan import standards in the country of origin before shipping and obtain an import mark. A customs agent is required in order to do the importation procedures electronically with Kenyan Customs.

The following documents are required:
- import declaration form
- Certificate of Conformity for regulated products
- Import Standardisation Mark (ISM)
- pro forma invoices from the exporting company

An import permit is required for certain health-related, environmental and safety products. Importing animals, plants and seeds is subject to quarantine regulations. Some pets require an import licence.

Importing Samples
Samples and exhibits at trade shows can be imported into the country duty-free. However, after use they must be re-exported or be certified as destroyed by a customs officer in charge of the certification.
 

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export controls.

 
For Further Information
Customs and Excise Department
Business Portal for Africa

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Latest Update: December 2023

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