How to Sell in Kenya as a Foreign Manufacturer: KEBS, KRA and Getting Started

Foreign manufacturers who want to sell in Kenya as a foreign company meet two systems almost immediately: the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which checks that goods meet Kenyan requirements before they leave the country of origin, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which assesses and collects duties and taxes before goods are released. This guide explains both in plain language, using the official KEBS and KRA pages we checked in October 2026. Rules and tariff schedules change, so confirm anything specific to your product with KEBS, KRA or a licensed clearing agent before you ship.

What is KEBS PVoC and does my product need it?

PVoC stands for Pre-Export Verification of Conformity. KEBS describes it as a conformity assessment programme applied in exporting countries to check that goods meet Kenyan technical regulations, mandatory standards or approved specifications. Its stated aims include protecting consumers, health and safety and the environment, speeding clearance for compliant goods, and keeping out substandard goods.

KEBS says a 13 November 2015 public notice extended inspection and Certificate of Conformity (CoC) requirements to all imports shipped on or after 1 December 2015. The key document for clearance is the CoC, issued by PVoC agents in the country of origin. KEBS names Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, CCIC, Intertek, SGS and QISJ as agents, assigned by country zone. KEBS also lists certificates of inspection and, for vehicles, certificates of roadworthiness.

On responsibilities, KEBS says importers must make sure suppliers understand the import quality requirements and that each consignment comes with a CoC, while exporters must make sure goods meet Kenyan requirements before shipment, either by testing or by getting a CoC from an appointed PVoC agent. In other words, as the manufacturer, expect your Kenyan buyer to ask you for it.

• Check the KEBS page for exemptions. It lists Diamond Mark of Quality products, raw materials and machines for registered local manufacturers, government waivers for national projects, and goods manufactured in other East African Community states cleared under EAC provisions.
• Ask a PVoC agent which route fits your product and what samples or test reports they want, before you produce a full order.

Registering and importing through KRA

KRA states that duties and taxes are levied on imported goods before Customs releases them. Its FAQ says that to import any commodity into Kenya an importer must engage a clearing agent, and KRA's how-to-import page says the agent declares the goods on KRA's customs system (SIMBA). The documents KRA lists include the Import Declaration Form (IDF), the customs entry, a valid commercial invoice and pro forma invoice from the exporter, the CoC from the PVoC agent for regulated products, and an Import Standards Mark where applicable.

A KRA PIN matters for Kenyan businesses. KRA's PIN page says a PIN is required for various transactions, including importing goods. Your Kenyan importer should hold one. The KRA page does not say how PIN rules apply to a non-resident company, so if you plan to set up your own presence in Kenya, ask KRA or a Kenyan tax adviser directly instead of assuming.

KRA's brochure on import and export processes describes what follows: clearing agents lodge electronic declarations, officers at the Document Processing Centre review them, and goods are assigned to channels. In the red channel goods are verified 100 percent, in the yellow channel they are scanned and documents verified, and in the green channel they are released directly, with a risk-based audit afterwards.

Import duty and taxes: what we can and cannot say

KRA's customs FAQ lists an Import Declaration Fee of 2 percent of the customs value (the FAQ is not fully consistent about whether the base is customs value or CIF value, so check the current rule). For most general goods it says rates are in the EAC Common External Tariff, and KRA's tariff page says the latest edition it describes took effect on 1 July 2022. We did not find a single current duty percentage that applies to manufactured goods in general, because duty depends on the HS code of each item, so we are not quoting one.

Duty rates, VAT treatment and fees can change in the annual Finance Act and EAC decisions. Ask your Kenyan buyer or their clearing agent for the HS code and the up-to-date rate before you agree a price that includes duty. Our guide to true landed cost shows how to put these items together.

Choosing how to sell: importer, distributor or direct to retailers

Most foreign manufacturers start by selling to a Kenyan importer or distributor who already works with a clearing agent and understands KEBS paperwork. The alternative is to find several smaller resellers who each buy modest quantities. Either way, agree in writing who is responsible for the CoC, who pays for inspection and testing, who pays freight and who books the clearing agent. The Incoterm you quote makes this clear: see our Incoterms guide. For market context, read Kenya's role in East African trade and our notes on supplier verification in Kenya to understand what local buyers expect.

How Comilmart fits in

Comilmart is a marketplace for reaching African buyers. Foreign sellers can register for free and list products for buyers in Kenya and elsewhere. You ship to Kenya yourself: Comilmart does not handle your freight, customs clearance, import duties or delivery, and does not guarantee orders. On your listing you can show minimum order quantities and tiered pricing, offer sample orders, respond to requests for quotation and chat with buyers. Verified supplier checks (KYS) are optional but add trust. For buyers, payment is held until delivery is confirmed and there is a seven-day window to report issues, which helps a Kenyan buyer who is trying you for the first time.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a CoC to ship to Kenya? KEBS says the CoC is the main clearance document and that the requirement extends to all imports shipped on or after 1 December 2015, with listed exemptions. Check your product and route with KEBS or a PVoC agent.

Can I clear goods in Kenya myself? KRA's FAQ says an importer must use a clearing agent to import any commodity, so plan for one, typically hired by your Kenyan buyer.

What import duty will my goods attract? It depends on the HS code and the current EAC Common External Tariff and Kenyan law. KRA publishes the framework, but we are not quoting a rate here. Ask a clearing agent.

Does Comilmart handle Kenyan customs for me? No. Foreign sellers ship and arrange delivery themselves, and the buyer or a clearing agent handles customs.

Getting started

Identify your HS code, ask a PVoC agent whether your product needs a CoC, and speak to at least one Kenyan clearing agent about duty and timing. Then create a free Comilmart account, list your products with MOQs and price tiers, and see how buyers compare listings in the wholesale catalog. Official pages used: KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity page, KRA how to import, KRA customs and border control FAQ and KRA PIN registration for companies.