Export

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates

Live fish movement permit

A fish movement permit is issued to traders allowing them to move fish and fish products within the country. The issuance of the live fish movement permit is regulated by Kenya Fisheries Service, through the office of the County Director of Fisheries. For more information on how to obtain a live fish movement permit, click on the link.

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Train and 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 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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Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is the umbrella body of the private sector in Kenya. The Chamber is an autonomous, non-profit, membership-based and 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 and credibility in your business to mention a few.

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Permits

International veterinary certificate (VS21)

Export of live fish is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who will issue an international veterinary certificate to ascertain that the consignment meets the conditions outlined by the country of destination, and that the live fish are healthy and disease free. The international veterinary certificate is processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS), and is issued per consignment.

Click on the link for more information on how to obtain an international veterinary certificate for live fish.

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Fish export health certificates

Export of fish is regulated by Kenya Fisheries Service who issue an export permit for each consignment to be exported. A fish health certificate is issued after the consignment has been inspected to ascertain that the consignment is free from diseases.

For more information on how to obtain a fish health certificates for consignments to the European Union (EU) or other markets, select from the options provided below.

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.

Please select the type of certificate of origin below for a step-by-step guide.

Preferential certificate of origin

A preferential certificate of origin is an export document issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for exports where trade agreements have been entered into with Kenya and other regions such as East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), European Union (EU), African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) or Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).

Select your type of certificate for more information on how to obtain one.

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.

Select your type of certificate for more information on how to obtain one.

Clearance

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Live fish export procedure through the Port of Mombasa

Export of live fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service. The exporter is issued with an export permit and a fish health certificate, per consignment. For more information on how to export your consignment of live fish through the Port of Mombasa, click on the link.

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Live fish export procedure through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

Export of live fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service. The exporter is issued with an export permit and a fish health certificate, per consignment. Information on global standards for transportation of live animals by air can be accessed here. For more information on how to export your consignment of live fish through the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), click on the link.

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Live fish export procedure through Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) valued above $ 2,000

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Procedures for a first-time trader

Export live fish through Moi International Airport (MIA)

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

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Import

Preliminary registrations, licences and certificates

Inspection report

Traders intending to import fish and fishery products are required to have a facility where the fish will be processed and packaged. As the competent authority, Kenya Fisheries Service will inspect the facility to ensure compliance with the set standards prior to issuing an inspection report. For more information on how to obtain the inspection report, click on the link.

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Live fish movement permit

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Train and Register with Kenya TradeNet System

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

Permits

Import permit for live fish (FD02)

Import of live fish is regulated by Kenya Fisheries Service who issue an import permit that is processed through the Kenya National TradeNet System (KESWS), per consignment. However, Kenya Fisheries Service 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). For more information on how to obtain an import permit for live fish, click on the link.

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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 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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Local certificate of compliance (COC)

A certificate of compliance is a certified document by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which assures that commodities have met 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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Clearance

Please select exit/entry point

Live fish import procedure through the Port of Mombasa

Import of live fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service who issue an import permit for live fish per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of live fish through the Port of Mombasa, click on the link.

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Live fish import procedure through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)

Import of live fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service who issue an import permit for live fish per consignment. Information on global standards for transportation of live animals by air can be accessed here. For more information on how to import your consignment of live fish through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), click on the link.

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Live fish import procedure through Moi International Airport (MIA)

Import of live fish is regulated by the Kenya Fisheries Service who issue an import permit for live fish per consignment. Information on global standards for transportation of live animals by air can be accessed here. For more information on how to import your consignment of live fish through Moi International Airport (MIA), click on the link.

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Procedures for a first-time trader

Import live fish through Moi International Airport (MIA)

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

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