Kenya: Certificate of conformity – New requirement – Kenya imports

Inspection of Cargo For Issuance of Certificates of Conformity

We wish to notify the public and importers that the requirement for inspection and issuance of Certificates of Conformity (CoC) has been expanded to cover all Imports. This updated requirement has been found necessary in order to protect the safety and health of Kenyans in addition to securing tax revenues.

Key concerns that have arisen in the past include cases of cargo mis-declaration and under-valuation. Accordingly, pursuant to Clause 6 (2) of Legal Notice No. 78 of 15th July 2005 on the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards for Imports, the following measures shall apply in respect of all goods imported into Kenya, with effect from 1st December 2015:

a) All imports shall be inspected at the Country of Origin and issued with Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

b) No cargo shall be allowed entry into Kenya without the fulfillment of CoC requirements. Presentation of Certificates of Conformity shall be a mandatory requirement to facilitate clearance of imports by both Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards.

c) To achieve smooth transition, cargo shipped prior to 30th November 2015 and not accompanied with CoC shall be accorded appropriate treatment to facilitate entry into Kenya. No cargo shipped after 30th November 2015 shall be allowed entry into Kenya unless accompanied with CoC.

d) Further information on the rationale, benefits and other information of relevance, in respect of the new framework, is available at www.kebs.org (KEBS) and www.kra.go.ke

(KRA).

Information on Inspection Agents can be accessed through KEBS website at: www.kebs.org

or by accessing the following links:

Goods: http://www.kebs.org/index.php?opt=qai&view=pvocoverview

Motor vehicles: http://www.kebs.org/index.php?opt=qai&view=motor-vehicle-inspection