The Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) is a State Corporation mandated to establish, implement & manage the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and to facilitate trade. The TFP is an online platform that serves as a single entry point for parties involved in international trade & transport logistics to lodge documents electronically, for processing, approvals and to make payments electronically for fees, levies, duties & taxes due to the Government, on imported or exported goods. Training is mandatory for new users of the system prior to registration on the system; this includes new staff from organizations already registered on the TFP. For more information on how to register on the TFP, click the link.
Processed fish for export may be processed from water-based facilities which must be licensed by the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), after a series of inspections of the establishment, and a dry-run of both the fishing and the processing of fish.
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.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) is the umbrella body of the private sector in Kenya. The Chamber is an autonomous, non-profit, membership-based & 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 & credibility in your business to mention a few. For more information on how to register with KNCCI, click the link.
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 two (2) calendar years from the date of issue.
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.
The AfCFTA certificate of origin is an international trade document which certifies that a certain product being exported is wholly manufactured, produced, processed or obtained from the exporting country. COO is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Rules of Origin Section. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The European Union (EU) certificate of origin is required for goods obtained, manufactured, produced or processed in Kenya, and are to be exported within the European community. The certificate is issued per consignment. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) certificate of origin is required for goods obtained, manufactured, produced or processed in Kenya, and are to be exported to a country within the AGOA trade Act. The certificate is issued per consignment. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) certificate of origin is required for goods obtained, manufactured, produced or processed in Kenya, and are to be exported to a member state. The certificate is issued per consignment. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The COMESA certificate of origin is required for goods obtained, manufactured, produced or processed in Kenya, and are to be exported within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The certificate is issued per consignment. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The EAC certificate of origin is required for goods obtained, manufactured, produced or processed in Kenya, and are to be exported within the East African Community (EAC) region. The certificate is issued per consignment. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has the mandate to issue the (ordinary/non-preferential) Certificate of Origin (COO) to all exporters of goods originating from Kenya. For more information on how to obtain the certificate, click the link.
The Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) was established under the Fisheries Management & Development Act. The mandate of KeFS is to conserve, manage and develop Kenya’s fisheries & aquaculture resources. Import of fish & fishery products is regulated by KeFS. Importers of processed fish are required to have a facility where the fish will be handled and stored. KeFS will inspect the facility to ensure compliance with the set standards prior to issuing an inspection report. For more information on how to obtain an inspection report for the premises, click the link.
The Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) was established under the Fisheries Management & Development Act. The mandate of KeFS is to conserve, manage and develop Kenya’s fisheries & aquaculture resources. Import of fish & fishery products is regulated by KeFS who issue a fish movement permit through the office of the County Director of Fisheries (CDF) to facilitate the movement & transport of fish & fishery products within the country. For more information on how to obtain a dry fish movement permit, click the link.
The Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) is a State Corporation mandated to establish, implement & manage the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP), and to facilitate trade. The TFP is an online platform that serves as a single entry point for parties involved in international trade & transport logistics to lodge documents electronically, for processing, approvals and to make payments electronically for fees, levies, duties & taxes due to the Government, on imported or exported goods. Training is mandatory for new users of the system prior to registration on the system; this includes new staff from organizations already registered on the TFP. For more information on how to register on the TFP, click the link.
The Import Declaration Form (IDF) is a declaration of the customs value of a consignment, and is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA), Customs Services Department. Importers are required to complete an IDF and sign it to show that they have declared the true & accurate value of the imported goods before they leave the country of origin. IDFs that remain unutilized after three (3) months from the date of issuance will automatically attract the appropriate sanctions. For more information on how to obtain an IDF, click the link.
The Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) was established under the Fisheries Management & Development Act. The mandate of KeFS is to conserve, manage and develop Kenya’s fisheries & aquaculture resources. Import of fish & fishery products is regulated by KeFS who issue an import permit for fish & fishery products per consignment. However, KeFS will not issue an import permit for any fish species that are listed on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna or Flora (CITES). The permit is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP). For more information on how to obtain an import permit for fish & fishery products, click the link.
A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is a certified document issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which assures that commodities have met the required standards & specifications. When a consignment arrives in Kenya without a CoC, indicating that the consignment was inspected at the country of origin, an importer is required to obtain a local CoC. The certificate is only issued after successful inspection & verification of the consignment is carried out by KEBS. For more information on how to obtain a local CoC, 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 & bikes (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.
In accordance with the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), goods for importation shall be entered (declared) within twenty-one (21) days after the commencement of discharge or in the case of vehicles, on arrival. Importers are required to acquire the services of a licensed customs clearing agent, who is mandated to process the importation documents in the Customs system and assist in clearing goods on the importer’s behalf. For more information on how to import a consignment of processed (dry, chilled, or frozen) fish through the Isebania OSBP, click the link.
In accordance with the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), goods for importation shall be entered (declared) within twenty-one (21) days after the commencement of discharge or in the case of vehicles, on arrival. Importers are required to acquire the services of a licensed customs clearing agent, who is mandated to process the importation documents in the Customs system and assist in clearing goods on the importer’s behalf. For more information on how to import a consignment of processed (dry, chilled, or frozen) fish through the Busia OSBP, click the link.
In accordance with the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), goods for importation shall be entered (declared) within twenty-one (21) days after the commencement of discharge or in the case of vehicles, on arrival. Importers are required to acquire the services of a licensed customs clearing agent, who is mandated to process the importation documents in the Customs system and assist in clearing goods on the importer’s behalf. For more information on how to import a consignment of processed (dry, chilled, or frozen) fish through the Port of Mombasa, click the link.