Export

COMMODITIES

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Farming is the most important economic sector in Kenya and Kenya is the third-leading exporter of fresh produce. Kenya has an ideal climate for the production of horticultural produce such as vegetables, fruits and cut flower products for both local and international markets. Kenya is a major exporter of sweet pea, runner beans, Asian vegetables, avocados, mangoes and some of the highest quality green beans in the world.

The EU is Kenya’s principal market in horticultural export produce with the UK, Netherlands and France being the main markets. Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden are the other important markets in the EU. The UK and France are the primary markets for fresh vegetable produce from the country. In terms of proportions, Kenya exports the larger volumes of its cut flowers to the Netherlands, then the United Kingdom, Germany, and France respectively. The Middle East and South Africa are also vital markets outside the EU.

Export of fresh fruits and vegetables in Kenya is regulated by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), the competent authority of the horticultural sub-sector in Kenya charged with the responsibility of promoting the development of horticultural crops, licensing exporters, and disseminating information on horticultural marketing.

For more information on the preliminary activities and registrations click on the links below.

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

AFA Fibre Crops Directorate as the competent authority, has the mandate and responsibility of the regulation, development and promotion of fibre crops e.g., cotton and sisal. A ginning licence is issued to allow the ginning and baling of cotton. The ginning licence is valid for a financial year beginning 1st July to 30th June.

For more information on how to obtain a ginning licence, click on the link below.

The facility where the produce is handled, must be inspected by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) who checks to ensure the facility is clean and the staff observe hygiene. Once the facility has been inspected and is in full compliance to the standards, HCD will issue a packhouse inspection report.

A trader wishing to export fresh or dry produce such as tea, coffee, maize, sisal, cotton etc., must register as an exporter with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issues a phytosanitary certificate. The export licence issued by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) is one of the requirements for traders of fresh produce.

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

A phytosanitary certificate certifies that plant and plant products are free from regulated pests and conforms with other phytosanitary requirements of the importing country. Issuance of the phytosanitary certificate is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Traders are required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment.

Clearance:

Before one can export fresh fruits and vegetables, the farm, pack house and premises have to be inspected to ensure that they are hygienic and also adhere to the good agricultural standards. The inspections are done by the AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Ministry of Health- Port Health Services depending on the produce being exported.

Flowers

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

The farm where the produce is grown, must be inspected by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) who checks to ensure that good agricultural practices have been complied to prior to the process of exporting. Once inspection is done and upon full compliance, HCD will issues a farm inspection report.

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

Clearance:

Before one can export flowers, the farm, pack house and premises have to be inspected to ensure that they are hygienic and also adhere to the good agricultural standards. The inspections are done by the AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Ministry of Health- Port Health Services depending on the produce being exported.

Coffee

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

A pulping station is a factory where coffee cherries are pulped, washed, dried, fermented and treated into parchment coffee. As the competent authority in Kenya, AFA Coffee Directorate inspects the pulping station to ensure compliance with the set standards prior to issuance of the pulping station licence. The licence is only issued to individuals, cooperative societies or companies with a minimum of five acres with mature coffee, and expires on the 30th day of June every year.

A grower marketer is a coffee grower who intends to export their coffee through direct sales. The grower marketer licence is only issued to coffee growers in possession of a valid pulping station licence as regulated by AFA Coffee Directorate. The licence expires on the 30th day of June every year.

A coffee dealer is an individual who intends to buy or deal in clean coffee produced in Kenya. The coffee dealer's licence is issued by AFA Coffee Directorate to traders who intend to buy coffee from the auction for export. The Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) is mandated to manage the central coffee auction in the country. The auction is scheduled every Tuesday except public holidays. The licence expires on the 30th day of June every year.

Permits:

A clean coffee movement permit is issued to coffee traders allowing them to transport their coffee from the warehouse to the markets or point of loading for exports. Issuance of the clean coffee movement permit is regulated by AFA Coffee Directorate. The permit is valid for five working days from the date of issuance.

All exporters of coffee are required to obtain an International Coffee Organization (ICO) Certificate of Origin for each consignment as per the AFA Coffee Directorate's regulations. The ICO certificates of Origin are processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS).

Clearance:

Export of coffee can either be done by grower marketers or coffee dealers. The grower marketers export through direct sales where they negotiate prices directly with the buyer while coffee dealers export through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) auction where they buy coffee from marketing agents who sell coffee on behalf of the small holder growers aggregated as co-operative societies and large estate owners.

Export of coffee can either be done by growers marketers or coffee dealers. The grower marketers export through direct sales where they negotiate prices directly with the buyer while coffee dealers export through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) auction where they buy coffee from marketing agents who sell coffee on behalf of the small holder growers aggregated as co-operative societies and large estate owners.

Tea

Tea is one of Kenya's most important cash crops. Kenya is the largest producer of tea in Africa and tea exports have quadrupled in the last decade. Kenya prides herself as one of the world's leading producers of black tea. There are three types of tea; green tea, black tea and olong. The primary grades of tea are broken pekoe 1 (BP1), pekoe fanning (PF1), pekoe dust (PD) and dust 1 (D1). The secondary grades of tea are dust (D) and broken mixed fanning (BMF).

Anyone interested in engaging in the export of tea must register with AFA Tea Directorate and must also source their tea from the tea auction that is organized by East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA). A trader must first register with EATTA before participating in the tea auction. A trader who is not registered with EATTA and would still like to export tea must purchase the tea for export from a registered member of EATTA who has purchased the same tea from the tea auction.

For more information on the preliminary registrations with AFA Tea Directorate and EATTA, click on the links below.

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) membership

East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) is an organization that brings together tea producers (manufacturers), buyers (exporters), brokers, packers and warehousemen to interact commercially at the tea auction and to promote the best interests of the tea trade in Africa. Anyone who intends to take part in the tea auction must first register with EATTA. The auction system has four main categories; producers (manufacturers), brokers, buyers (exporters) and warehousemen.

Click on the links below to get more information on the registration process of each category.

Any person, firm or company engaged in buying tea in Africa.

Any person, firm or company actively engaged in the growing and/or manufacture of tea, or as agents for tea growers and/or tea manufacturers in Africa.

Any person, firm or company established in Africa for the purpose of negotiating the purchase or sale of tea between members of the Association.

Any person, firm or company established in Africa warehousing teas being sold in accordance with EATTA General Trading Rules and EATTA Trading Regulations.

Any person, firm or company actively engaged in buying tea in Africa for retail.

Any person, firm or company not falling withing the other member categories (buyer, producer, broker, warehouse or packer) and is in the support business of the Association.

AFA Tea Directorate has the mandate as the competent authority to licence tea manufacturers (factories), register buyers, brokers, packers, management agents and anyone dealing in the trade of tea in Kenya, for both local and international markets by regulating and controlling the cultivation of tea. The Directorate may vary, cancel or suspend any licence issued to a company if the terms and conditions of the licence are violated.

Click on the link below for more details on the registration process as a tea buyer (exporter).

Issuance of a buyer/exporter and importer licence is regulated by the AFA Tea Directorate. The licence is valid for a financial year.

A tea manufacturer is company or firm authorized to carry out the business of manufacturing tea for sale, packaging and blending of tea. AFA Tea Directorate regulates issuance of the tea manufacturing licence, which is valid for a financial year.

A tea broker is a company or firm established for the purpose of negotiating the purchase or sale of tea between producers and buyers. AFA Tea Directorate regulates issuance of the tea broker licence, which is valid for a financial year.

A tea warehouseman licence is issued to companies in the business of storing tea intended for sale from a producer, buyer or packer. AFA Tea Directorate regulates issuance of the tea warehouseman licence, which is valid for a financial year.

A tea packer is trader who packs tea into packets intended for sale.AFA Tea Directorate regulates issuance of the tea packer licence, which is valid for a financial year.

Clearance:

AFA Tea Directorate regulates the export of tea as the competent authority in Kenya. A trader is required to first register with AFA Tea Directorate. All tea(s) for export must be sourced from the East African Tea Trade Association (EATTA) auction, and for one to participate in the auction they need to first register with EATTA before they can purchase tea(s) at the auction.

For more information on the export procedure of tea through the Port of Mombasa click on the link below.

Fish

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

Processed fish for export may be processed from land-based facilities which must be licensed by Kenya Fisheries Service after a series of inspections of the establishment and a dry-run of the processing of fish.

Processed fish for export may be processed from water-based facilities which must be licensed by Kenya Fisheries Service after a series of inspections of the fishing vessel and a dry-run of both the fishing and the processing of fish.

County licences

A fish trader's licence is issued to traders allowing them to trade in fish and fish products. Issuance of the fish movement permit and fish trader's licence is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service, through the County Director of fisheries.

A crustacean dealer's licence is issued to traders allowing them to trade in prawns, lobsters, crabs and octopus. Issuance of the crustacean dealer's licence is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service, through the County Director of fisheries.

Fish movement permits

Clearance:

Export of processed fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service. The exporter is issued with an export permit and export health certificate, per consignment and the Directorate of Veterinary Services(DVS) issues an export permit for meat and meat products. Export of processed (frozen) is done through the Port of Mombasa.

Live fish for export must be inspected by a veterinarian registered with Kenya Veterinary Board who will issue an international fish health certificate.

Medical products

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

A wholesale dealer's licence is a mandatory requirement for a trader who intends to deal with distribution, storage, importation and exportation of medical products. The licence is only issued to registered pharmacists as regulated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). The licence expires on the 31st day of December in the year of issue.

A certificate of analysis is issued after a drug has been analyzed and evaluated by a recognized lab in Kenya upon meeting its product specification. For importation and exportation of a new drug; a certificate of analysis must be submitted to Pharmacy and Poisons Board to facilitate the registration of the drug.

In Kenya there are three main labs that perform product analysis which include:

1. Mission for essential Drugs and Supplies ( MEDS)

2. Drug Analysis and Research unit (DARU)

3. National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL)

For a local manufacturer who intends to manufacture drugs for export, the manufacturer must obtain a certificate of good manufacturing practices which is granted after the manufacturing site has been inspected by inspectors from Pharmacy and Poisons Board to ensure that they have complied with the set good manufacturing practices.

Product registration is mandatory for all drugs manufactured in Kenya. Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is the mandated authority to issue traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation. Prior to issuance of the certificate, the trader is also required to have obtained a certificate of analysis from a recognized laboratory and a certificate of good manufacturing practices issued by PPB.

Permits:

Export of pharmaceuticals is regulated by Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) who issues an export permit for each consignment. The export permits are processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS).

Exportation of licit drugs will require an exporter to obtain a Dangerous Drugs Authorization (DDA) export permit from Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), prior to issuance of the export permit for each consignment. The export permits are processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS).

Clearance:

Export of pharmaceutical products is regulated by Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). The exporter is issued with a product registration certificate after registering the intended drug within the PPB guidelines.The exporter is also issued with a wholesale dealer license to facilitate the export process and a certificate of good manufacturing practices upon meeting the good manufacturing practices.

Licences and certificates renewal:

For all pharmaceutical products registered in Kenya, traders are required to retain the products annually by applying for a product retention certificate which is issued by Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Traders are required to lodge applications for renewals not later than 31st December every year.

Maize (unmilled)

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

Clearance:

Cotton

Export of cotton fibre is regulated by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate, who have the mandate and responsibility of the regulation, development and promotion of fibre crops e.g., cotton and sisal. Anyone intending to export cotton fibre must obtain the accompanying licences issued by the Directorate.

For more information on how to obtain the licences that may be required, click on the links below.

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

Ginning licence

A ginning licence is issued by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate allowing a trader to gin and bale cotton. The ginning licence is valid for a financial year beginning 1st July to 30th June.

For more information on how to obtain a ginning licence, click on the link below.

Cotton lint quality report

Cotton for export must be inspected to ensure global quality standards are met prior to export. The cotton is inspected by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate through the National Cotton Classing Laboratory, who will issue the cotton lint quality report once the cotton has been tested.

For more information on how to obtain a cotton lint quality report, click on the link below.

Cotton lint export licence

A cotton lint export licence allows a trader to export cotton lint. The licence is issued by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate and is valid for a financial year beginning 1st July to 30th June. During this time period, the trader will be required to submit periodic lint quality reports for each consignment. The licence is valid for overseas markets only.

For more information on how to obtain a cotton lint export licence, click on the link below.

Seed cotton buying licence

A seed cotton buying registration certificate allows a trader to purchase seed cotton from a registered buying centre, and will require the trader to provide information on where the seed cotton will be ginned. The certificate is issued by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate and is valid for one financial year beginning 1st July to 30th June.

For more information on how to obtain a seed cotton buying licence, click on the link below.

Clearance:

Sisal

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

A trader wishing to export fresh or dry produce must register as an exporter with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issues a phytosanitary certificate. The export licence issued by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) is one of the requirements for traders of fresh produce.

A marketing agent is an individual, company or cooperative which intends to receive sell, dispose, export or import sisal fibre. Therefore, anyone intending to export or sell sisal fibre must obtain a marketing agency licence. AFA Fibre Crops Directorate regulates issuance of the marketing agency licence to traders which is valid for a financial year, 1^st July to 30^th June.

A sisal factory is a premise designated for processing sisal leaf into sisal fibre. As the competent authority, AFA Fibre Crops Directorate regulates issuance of the sisal factory licence. The sisal factory licence is issued and categorized based on the source of the fibre as shown below:

1. A holder processing their own leaf.

2. A holder processing their own leaf as well as bought fibre.

The sisal factory licence is valid for a financial year, 1st July to 30th June.

A sisal spinning factory is a premise designated for processing sisal fibre for both local and international markets. Issuance of the sisal spinning licence is regulated by AFA Fibre Crops Directorate. The licence is valid for a financial year, 1st July to 30th June.

Permits:

Export of sisal can only be done by marketing agents registered with AFA Fibre Crops Directorate. All sisal exporters are therefore required to obtain a sisal export permit, for each consignment. The sisal export permits are processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS).

Clearance:

Seeds

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

Export of seeds is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Anyone intending to engage in the trade (locally) export of seeds must first register with KEPHIS as a seed merchant. KEPHIS will issue a certificate of registration which is valid for one calendar year.

For more information on how to register with KEPHIS as a seed merchant with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

Export of seeds is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Anyone intending to engage in the export of seeds must first register with KEPHIS as a seed merchant. KEPHIS will issue a certificate of registration which is valid for one calendar year.

Failure to renew the seed merchant certificate of registration for two consecutive years leads to loss of status as a registered seed merchant and will require a fresh application to be made as a new applicant.

For more information on how to renew the seed merchant certificate of registration, click on the link below.

Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) testing report

Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) is a result of a combination of two viruses; Maize Chlorotic Mottle virus and Sugarcane Mosaic virus, this disease affects maize crops. Seed merchants dealing in maize seed require to have their seeds tested for MLND as a requirement of the seed certification process. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) will test a sample of the seed crop and issue a pest diagnosis report.

For more information on how to obtain a pest diagnosis report, click on the link below.

Seed certification

Seeds of all crops for export must meet the gazetted minimum standards. All seeds must be tested and certified by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who issue a germination test certificate.

For more information on how to obtain a germination test certificate, click on the link below.

For more information on how to register as an exporter with KEPHIS, click on the link below.

Clearance:

Hides, skins, leather and leather products

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

A tannery is a premise where hides and skins of animals are treated and processed to produce leather. Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), as the regulator, inspects the premises to ensure compliance with the set standards prior to issuance of a registration of premises certificate. The certificate is valid for one calendar year. Traders who intend to export hides and skins and do not own a tannery, will be required to source their hides and skins from a licensed premise.

Permits:

Wool

Permits:

Animal semen and embryos

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates:

Kenya Veterinary Board has the mandate of regulating the national development of livestock, and competent and professional animal health service provision, veterinary practices, clinics and veterinary training, in order to protect the welfare of farmers, professionals in livestock development, the animals and other stakeholders. Before one can engage in the dealing of animal semen and embryos, they must register with Kenya Veterinary Board, who register and regulate veterinary surgeons and veterinary paraprofessionals. Upon registration, KVB will issue a certificate of membership which is valid for one calendar year.

Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) regulates issuance of the veterinary paraprofessional licence to anyone wishing to operate an ambulatory facility involved in the distribution or sale of animal semen. Prior to issuance of the licence, the applicant is required to first register with Kenya Veterinary Board . The licence is valid for one calendar year.

Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) regulates issuance of the veterinary surgeons licence to anyone wishing to operate a veterinary clinical centre involved in the distribution or sale of animal semen. Prior to issuance of the licence, the applicant is required to first register with Kenya Veterinary Board. The licence is valid for one calendar year.

The Livestock Genetics Society of East Africa (LGSEA) is a society that brings together all stakeholders in the delivery of Artificial Insemination (AI) services nationally, and one that offers training on AI service delivery as part of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to Animal Health and Artificial Insemination (AI) service providers. Before engaging in the importation, production, and distribution of animal semen and embryos, one must first register with LGSEA, who will issue a certificate of membership which is valid for one calendar year.

Export of animal semen and embryos is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who issue a livestock breeding services provider's licence. Anyone intending to engage in the production of semen bust obtain the licence, which allows service providers to carry out breeding services. The licence is valid for one calendar year.

For more information on how to obtain a livestock breeding services provider's licence, click on the link below.

Permits:

Live animals

Meat and meat products

Animal feeds

Export permit for animal feeds VS10

Honey and other apiary products

LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES

Air waybill

An air waybill is a document issued by an international airline for goods as an evidence of the contract of carriage of the goods by the airline. Air waybills are issued by all international airlines upon agreement of the services between them and the owner of the goods.

For more information on the procedure of obtaining an air waybill, click on the link below.

Export certificate

An export certificate is issued by AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) to an exporter of horticultural produce (fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers) as an indication that AFA HCD has cleared the consignment for export.

For more information on how to obtain an export certificate, click on the link below.

Certificate of origin

Preferential certificate of origin

Non-preferential certificate of origin

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is the umbrella body of the private sector in Kenya. The Chamber is an autonomous, non-profit, membership-based and private sector lobby institution. Membership to the Chamber is not mandatory however, membership is diverse and has benefits such as networking opportunities, training consultancy, customer referrals and credibility in your business to mention a few.

For more information on how to register with Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, click on the link below.

Certificate of origin

The Certificate of Origin (COO) is an international trade document which certifies that a certain product being exported is wholly manufactured, produced, processed or obtained from the exporting country. Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has the mandate to issue the (ordinary/non-preferential) COO to all exporters of goods originating from Kenya.

For more information on how to obtain a non-preferential certificate of origin, click on the link below.

Food hygiene licence

A food hygiene licence is required for all facilities e.g., packhouses, that process and package products that are for human consumption. The licence is issued by Port Health Services or by Public Health Officers in respective County governments,

For more information on how to obtain a food hygiene licence, click on the link below.

Manufacturing licence

Export health certificate

An export health certificate is a certificate required for the export of all commodities that are for human consumption. Issuance of the certificate is regulated by Port Health Services and is required for each consignment for export.

For more information on how to obtain an export health certificate, click on the link below.

Certificate of radioanalysis

The Radiation Protection Board is the competent authority that regulates all radioactive materials, materials that contain radioactive elements and equipment that produce radioactive waves in Kenya. As the competent authority, the Radiation Protection Board issues the certificate of radio analysis to ascertain that commodities are free of radioactive elements. The certificate would be required when exporting certain commodities such as tea or coffee to certain trade markets and such a certificate is required per consignment.

For more information on how to obtain a certificate of radio analysis click on the link below.

Standardization mark permit

The Standardization Mark is a mandatory mark for products that are manufactured locally for local consumption, and for export within the East African Community (EAC) region. As the competent authority, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) issues a standardization mark permit and a soft copy of the standardization mark to incorporate when branding the products, after carrying out an inspection in the factory. The permit is valid for a calendar year from the date of issue.

For more information on how to obtain a standardization mark permit, click on the link below.

Train and register with Kenya TradeNet System

The Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS) is an electronic platform that facilitates the processing and issuance of permits, import declaration forms (IDF) and declaration of goods. Traders are required to register with Kenya Trade Network Agency (KENTRADE) as either exporters or importers and get trained on how to lodge documents on KESWS. The traders are then issued with user credentials which enable them login and access the System.

For more information on how to train and register with KESWS, click on the link below.

Genetically modified organism (GMO) free certificate

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is the competent authority mandated to regulate research and commercial activities involving any genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The overriding regulatory role of the Authority is to ensure safety of human and animal health and provision of adequate level of protection of environment.

When exporting some commodities such as maize, cotton or soybeans to certain international markets, the market of export will require the exporter to obtain a GMO free certificate ascertaining that the produce is 100% free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) before entry into their markets. A GMO free certificate is issued by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) after an analysis of produce samples has been done by a competent authority such as Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).

PERMITS

Fish movement permits

A fish movement permit is issued to traders allowing them to move fish and fish products from one part of the country to another. Issuance of the fish movement permit and fish trader's licence is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service, through the County Director of fisheries.