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Import

Seeds (Mbegu) See associated HS codes

090921 090922 090931 090932 090961 090962 100210 100310 120230 120400 120510 120590 120600 120710 120721 120729 120730 120740 120750 120760 120770 120791 120799 120910 120921 120922 120923 120924 120925 120929 120930 120991 120999 200819

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Preliminary registrations, licences & certificates

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.

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Import of seeds is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who will issue a certificate of registration to traders intending to engage in the local trade or import of seeds, and the traders are required to first register with KEPHIS as seed merchants. The certificate is valid for one calendar year.

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National Performance Trials (NPT) & Distinctiveness Uniformity and Stability (DUS) Testing

Import of seeds is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Before a new variety or species of seed can be imported into the Kenyan market, the seed has to go under National Performance Trials (NPT) and Distinctiveness Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing. The tests are done to determine whether a new plant variety is distinct from any known plant variety in respect of specified characteristics, uniform in morphological, physiological or other accepted characteristics; and stable in its description after repeated reproduction or propagation. Once the seeds have been cleared for import, the new seed varieties will be listed in the Kenya Gazette.

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Licences and certificates renewal

Permits

Plant import permit (For seeds)

Import of plant and plant materials is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) who issue a Plant Import Permit (PIP) per consignment, which ascertains that the consignment has met the requirements outlined on the permit as per the type of species. The PIP is valid for six months from the date of issue.

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Letter of no objection to import GMOs

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.

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Local certificate of conformity (COC)

A certificate of compliance is a certified document issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which assures that commodities have met the required standards and specifications. When a consignment arrives in Kenya without a certificate of conformity, indicating that the consignment was inspected at the country of origin, an importer will have to obtain a certificate of compliance. The certificate is only issued after successful inspection and verification of the consignment is carried out by KEBS.

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Approval for importation of GMOs

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Import standardization mark (ISM)

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.

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Import declaration form (IDF)

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 the relevant 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.

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Clearance

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Procedures for a first-time trader

Import seeds through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of seeds, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time into Kenya, via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

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