IMPORT
IMPORT
All importers are required to obtain an import declaration form (IDF) for each consignment prior to importation of any commodity. Before applying for the IDF, traders are advised to obtain permits/get a go ahead from the respective regulating Agencies for the consignment of import. Also, application for the IDF should be done before goods leave the country of origin.
All used motor vehicles imported into Kenya must be less than 8 years from the year of registration and the difference between the year of manufacture and the year of registration shall not be more than one year, the vehicle must be a right hand drive and accompanied with a certificate of roadworthiness from the country of origin issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) appointed (partners) inspection companies.
National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shall then issue a registration certificate commonly known as a log book and the motor vehicle(s) number plates.
Used motor vehicles clearance procedure (for private use)All used motor vehicles imported into Kenya must be less than 8 years from the year of registration and the difference between the year of manufacture and the year of registration shall not be more than one year, the vehicle must be a right hand drive and accompanied with a certificate of roadworthiness from the country of origin issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) appointed (partners) inspection companies.
National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shall then issue a registration certificate commonly known as a log book and the motor vehicle(s) number plates.
Used motor vehicles clearance procedure (for commercial purposes)
All used motor vehicles imported into Kenya must be less than 8 years from the year of registration and the difference between the year of manufacture and the year of registration shall not be more than one year, the vehicle must be a right hand drive and accompanied with a certificate of roadworthiness from the country of origin issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) appointed (partners) inspection companies.
National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shall then issue a registration certificate commonly known as a log book and the motor vehicle(s) number plates after inspecting the motor vehicle(s).
New motor vehicles clearance procedure (for private use)For more information on how to register with HCD, click on the link.
Fresh and dry produce is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who issue a plant import permit for each consignment for import. For more information on how to register with KEPHIS, click on the link.
Import of irish potatoes is regulated by AFA Food Crops Directorate (FC) who issue an import licence to importers of Irish potatoes to ascertain the produce and the storage conforms with the set food safety requirements. Importers are therefore required to ensure their produce is stored in a licensed warehouse. The licence is valid for one (1) financial year. For more information on how to obtain the licence, click the link.
Import of irish potatoes is regulated by AFA Food Crops Directorate (FC) who issue an import permit per consignment. Processing of the permits is done through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP). For more information on how to obtain an import permit for irish potatoes, click on the link.
Import of embryos is regulated by Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who issue an import permit per consignment. The import permit is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP). For more information on how to obtain an import permit for embryos, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Lunga Lunga OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Taveta-Holili OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Namanga OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Isebania OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Malaba OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through the Busia OSBP, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through EIA, click the link.
Import of fruits is regulated by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which must reach the plant health authorities in the country of origin for strict adherence to Kenya permit requirements. Any consignment imported into Kenya must be accompanied by a copy of a PIP, as well as a phytosanitary certificate. Upon arrival of the consignment, the importer must declare their consignment to a KEPHIS plant inspector for verification. For more information on how to clear your consignment of fruits through MIA, click the link.
Pharmacists are required to register and obtain credentials to access Pharmacy and Poisons Board's (PPB) online service portal.
Wholesale dealer's licence A wholesale dealer is an individual who intends to deal with distribution, storage, importation and exportation of medical products. Registration of wholesale dealers must be one by registered pharmacists. As the regulator, Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) will carry out inspection on the premises prior to issuance of the wholesale dealer's licence. The licence issued expires on 31st December in the year of issue.Clearance of a drug sample is done through courier service providers as most of the drug samples are small packages.
Certificate of analysisA certificate of analysis is a document issued after a drug has been analyzed and evaluated by a recognized laboratory in Kenya upon meeting its product specification. For importation and exportation of a new drug; the certificate must be submitted to Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to facilitate 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)
Product registration is mandatory for all drugs imported into Kenya. As the regulator, Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), will issue a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation. Prior to issuance of the certificate, traders are also required to obtain a certificate of analysis from a recognized laboratory and a certificate of good manufacturing practices issued by PPB.
Import of cattle is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who issue an import per consignment, which must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin to ascertain that the animals are healthy and disease free. For more information on how to obtain an import permit for cattle for either slaughter or breeding, select from the options below.
Import of pigs is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who issue an import per consignment, which must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate from the country of origin to ascertain that the animals are healthy and disease free. For more information on how to obtain an import permit for pigs for either slaughter or breeding, select from the options below.
Click on 'View Procedure' link below for more details on the exemption certificate procedure.
For more information on how to register with HCD, click on the link.
Register with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) Fresh and dry produce is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who issue a plant import permit for each consignment for import. For more information on how to register with KEPHIS, click on the link.Import of mangoes is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, to ascertain the consignment complies with the sanitary phytosanitary requirements in Kenya. For more information on how to clear a consignment of mangoes through the Namanga OSBP, click the link.
For more information on how to clear your consignment of meat and meat products valued above USD 2,000 through Lunga Lunga OSBP, click on the link.
Meat and meat products import procedure through Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP)For more information on how to clear your consignment of meat and meat products valued below USD 2,000 through Lunga Lunga OSBP, click on the link.
Meat and meat products import procedure through Moi International Airport (MIA)For more information on how to clear your consignment of meat and meat products through Moi International Airport (MIA), click on the link.
Medical professionals dealing with medical devices, food supplements, cosmetics, Non Profit Organizations and development partners products are required to register and obtain credentials to access Pharmacy and Poisons Board's (PPB) online service portal.
Medical device listing
A medical device is an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, applicane, In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), implant, reagent for into use, software, material or other similar or related article intended by the manufacturer to be used alone in combination for human beings for one or more of the specific medical purpose (s) of:
Registration of medical devices is regulated by Pharmacy and Poisons Board. who issues a medical device registration certificate. The certificate is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue, and traders are advised to apply for renewals at least ninety (90) days before the expiry date.
Import of medical devices is regulated by Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of medical devices through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), click on the link.
Pharmacists are required to register and obtain credentials to access Pharmacy and Poisons Board's (PPB) online service portal.
Product registration certificate
Product registration is mandatory for new drugs manufactured in Kenya for export. As the regulator, Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) , will issue a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation. Prior to issuance of the certificate, traders are also required to obtain a certificate of analysis from a recognized laboratory and a certificate of good manufacturing practices issued by PPB.
Product registration certificate (for herbal medicine) Product registration is mandatory for herbal medicines imported into 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. Product registration certificate (for food supplements) Product registration is mandatory for all food supplements imported into 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 good manufacturing practices issued by PPB. Wholesale dealer's licenceA wholesale dealer is an individual who intends to deal with distribution, storage, importation and exportation of medical products. Registration of wholesale dealers must be one by registered pharmacists. As the regulator, Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) will carry out inspection on the premises prior to issuance of the wholesale dealer's licence. The licence issued expires on 31st December in the year of issue.
A certificate of analysis is a document issued after a drug has been analyzed and evaluated by a recognized laboratory in Kenya upon meeting its product specification. For importation and exportation of a new drug; the certificate must be submitted to Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to facilitate 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)
All pharmaceutical products registered in Kenya must be retained by applying for a product retention certificate which is issued by Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). The certificate issued expires on 31st December every year.
Import of miraa (khat) is regulated by the AFA Miraa, Pyrethrum, and Other Industrial Crops Directorate (MPICD) whose mandate is to advise the Government and the industry on matters related to pyrethrum, miraa and other industrial crops production and marketing, as well as promote development and adoption of standards for labelling, packaging, grading, transporting and storing products in compliance with local and international standards, among others.
A trader wishing to import miraa must therefore first register with the Directorate, who issue a registration certificate.
Import licence Export of miraa (khat) is regulated by the AFA Miraa, Pyrethrum and Other Industrial Crops Directorate (MPICD) who issue an import licence prior to importation of miraa. The licence is valid for one (1) financial year, beginning 1st July to 30th June.Import of pesticides is regulated by Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) Prior to the import of a new pesticide product, not previously registered in Kenya, an importer is required to import a sample of the product which is used to facilitate the product registration procedure. For more information on how to import a pesticide sample, click on the link.
Agency licenceImport of pesticides is regulated by Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). All pesticides manufacturers outside of Kenya are required to appoint an authorized representative (agent) in Kenya. The agent is then required to obtain an agency licence issued by PCPB . The licence is valid for a calendar year from the date of issue. For more information on how to obtain an agency licence, click on the link.
Product registration certificateImport of pesticides is regulated by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) who issue an import permit for each consignment. The permits are processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP).
For more information on how to obtain an import permit, click on the link.
Fresh and dry produce is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who issue a plant import permit for each consignment for import. For more information on how to register with KEPHIS, click on the link.
The AFA Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD) is charged with the mandate of regulation of horticultural nurseries, production, post -harvest handling and marketing of horticultural crops and produce in compliance with the local and international standards. Traders must therefore register with AFA HCD who issue an import licence that is valid for one financial year.
For more information on how to register with AFA HCD, click on the link.
Agriculture and Food Authority's (AFA) Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) is an automated platform that facilitates registration of traders with AFA Directorates. Prior to application of licences or certificates, from either of the Directorates, traders are required to obtain user credentials to gain access into the system. For more information on how to obtain the credentials, click the link.
The Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) is an electronic system that facilitates the online application, processing, approvals and issuance of export and import permits, and declaration of goods. Training is mandatory for new users of the system prior to registration on the system; this includes new staff from organisations already registered on the system. The TFP is managed by the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade). For more information on how to register with TFP, click the link.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is mandated to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) with a view to ensuring both safety of human and animal health, as well as provision of an adequate level of protection of the environment. For more information on how to obtain a letter of no objection from NBA, click the link.
The Import Standardization Mark (ISM) is a mandatory requirement for all imported products intended for sale in the local market. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is the competent Authority that regulates issuance of the ISM stickers. Traders are advised to apply for the ISM sticker once the goods have arrived, and the customs entry has been verified and passed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The following products are exempted from the ISM sticker; medicines, medical devices, pest control products, seeds (plant materials), printed materials, for example, books, newspaper, magazines etc., precious stones, jewellery etc., illuminated signs and name plates etc., motor vehicles and bike (covered under a different inspection regime), artificial flowers, walking sticks, antiques etc., products manufactured in an East African Community (EAC) Partner State, and bears a quality mark of that partner state.
Import declaration form (IDF)
The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) issues a certificate of radio analysis to ascertain that commodities are free of radioactive elements. The certificate is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP). For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.