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Export

Coffee (Kahawa) See associated HS codes

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Preliminary registrations, licences & certificates

Agriculture & 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.

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Coffee exporter licence

Export of coffee is regulated by AFA Coffee Directorate where traders can either export coffee as grower marketers or dealers. For more information on how to register with AFA Coffee Directorate, select from the options below. Grower marketers are allowed to export through direct sales where they negotiate prices directly with the buyer(s) in the country of destination. Coffee dealers must purchase coffee through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE) auction where marketing agents sell coffee on behalf of the smallholder growers aggregated as co-operative societies and large estate owners.

Fresh and dry produce is regulated by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who issue a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment for export. For more information on how to register with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), click on the link.

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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.

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Train & register with Kenya TradeNet System (KESWS)

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 to login and access the System. For more information on how to train and register with KESWS, please select from options below.

This procedure applies to first time traders who require to obtain a preferential certificate of origin during export. Traders are required to register with the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) Rules of Origin Section to obtain a registration letter. The letter confirms the country of origin of the goods to be exported and is a requirement when applying for the preferential certificate of origin.

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Food hygiene licence

A food hygiene licence is required for all facilities that process and package products that are for human consumption, e.g packhouses. The licence is issued by Port Health Services Kenya (PHS) or by Public Health Officers, from the respective County Governments where the premises are located. The licence is valid for one (1) calendar year. For more information on how to obtain a food hygiene licence from either the County Government or County Public Health Office, select from the options below.

Permits

Clean coffee movement permit

A clean coffee movement permit is issued to coffee traders to transport their coffee from the warehouse to the point of loading. The permit is issued by AFA Coffee Directorate and is valid for five working days from the date of issue.

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International Coffee Organization (ICO) certificate of origin

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 certificate is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP).

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Export health certificate

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Standardization mark permit

The Standardization Mark (S Mark) is a mandatory mark of quality required for goods that are processed and packaged locally intended for local consumption or for export within the East African Community (EAC) region. Traders wishing to export processed goods within the EAC region are therefore required to obtain an S Mark permit which is issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). The permit is valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of issue.

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Genetically modified organism (GMO) free certificate

The licence is required for export of produce that are globally known/suspected to be of possible Genetically modified organism e.g., maize(add more commodities). The licence is issued by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) per consignment. The market requirements in the country of destination will determine the need for the GMO certificate.

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Phytosanitary certificate (for green channel produce)

A phytosanitary certificate certifies that plants & plant products are free from regulated pests and conform with other phytosanitary requirements of the importing country. Traders are required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment, and are expected to know the market requirements of their intended export market. The certificate is issued by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.

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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. For more information on how to obtain the COO, please select from the options below.

Non-preferential certificate of origin

A non-preferential certificate of origin is an export document issued by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) that confirms the country of origin of goods being exported. The AfCFTA certificate of origin is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Rules of Origin Section. For more information on how to obtain a non-preferential certificate of origin, select from the options below.

Preferential certificate of origin

Clearance

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Coffee export procedure through the Inland Container Depot, Nairobi (ICDN)

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 smaller holder growers aggregated as co-operative societies and large estate owners. For more information on how to clear your consignment through ICDN, click the link.

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Coffee export procedure through the Port of Mombasa

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Procedures for a first-time trader

Export coffee through the Port of Mombasa

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner exporting a consignment of coffee, of more than $2000 of value, for the first time out of Kenya, via the Port of Mombasa to the EU.

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