A slaughterhouse is a facility where animals are slaughtered for human consumption. While it is not mandatory for all exporters of meat and meat products to own a slaughterhouse, all meat and meat products for export must be sourced from a registered export slaughterhouse; click here to access a list of the registered export slaughterhouses. The Directorate of Veterinary Services, will inspect the premises to ensure that the slaughterhouse's operations work end to end prior to issuance of an export slaughterhouse licence. The licence is valid for a period between 1st January to 31st December. For more information on how to register an export slaughterhouse, click on 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.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.
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.
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.
For more information on how to clear your consignment of meat and meat products through Moi International Airport (MIA), click on 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 Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) is mandated to safeguard animal and human health, improve animal welfare, increase animal resource productivity and ensure safe & high quality animals & their products to facilitate food security and domestic & international trade. Import of meat & meat products is regulated by DVS who issue a no objection import permit meat & meat products per consignment. The permit is processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP). For more information on how to obtain the permit, 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 meat & meat products valued above USD 2,000 through the Lunga Lunga 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 meat & meat products valued below USD 2,000 through the Lunga Lunga 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 meat & meat products through JKIA, 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 meat & meat products through MIA, click the link.