Kenya Import procedure

Summary of the procedures

  • 13 Steps
  • 40 Documents (Approx)
  • Bodies Agencies Involved
    • Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
    • Kenya Trade Network Agency (Kentrade)
    • Kenya Electronic Single Window System (KESW)
    • Port Health Services Kenya
    • Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
    • Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

Import Procedures

Export Procedures

Step 1: Register to be a Seed Merchant
Body in charge and office contacts
  1. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
    Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.
Documents Required to complete the process
  1. Dully filled application SR1 form
  2. Certificate of incorporation of the company
Cost (KES)

New applicant pays KSh. 75,000 while annual / renewal fee is Ksh 10,000. ( CAP 326 / L.Notice 220)

Official Length of process

30 days

Step 2: Register to be an importer on the Import Certification System (ICS)
Body in charge and office contacts
  1. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
  2. Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.
Documents Required to complete the process
  1. Copies of PIN
  2. VAT certificate(if applicable)
  3. Certificate of incorporation
  4. ID of one of the directors.
Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 days

Step 3: Register with the Kenya Electronic Single Window System (KESW) and obtain user credentials.

Registration at contactcenter@kentrade.go.ke

Body in charge and office contacts

Kenya Trade Network Agency (Ken-Trade)

Documents Required to complete the process
  1. Request for company registration
  2. Contact details
Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 hour

Step 4:File SR14 - Notice to Import
Body in charge and office contacts
    1. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
    2. Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

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Documents Required to complete the process

1. SR14 Form

Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 Day

Step 5: Obtain import Permit

The system will identify which seeds will require a Q label that need to undergo quarantine treatment

Body in charge and office contacts

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.

Importing Company

Documents Required to complete the process
      1. NML Certificate
      2. Proforma invoice from the importing country(copy)
      3. KEPHIS payment receipt (original)
      4. SR14
Cost (KES)

Kshs.800.00 and Kshs. 700.00 on NML Certificate

Official Length of process

8 Hours

Step 6: Contact a Clearing Agent
Body in charge and office contacts

Contact KRA for the updated list of licensed clearing agents

Documents Required to complete the process

NIL

Cost (KES)

Dependent on Agency Fees

Official Length of process

Dependent on Agency

Step 7: Obtain consignment documents (UCR and IDF)
Body in charge and office contacts

Kenya Electronic Single Window System (KESW) – Ken-Trade

Documents Required to complete the process
  1. Commercial Invoice
  2. SR14
  3. Import Permit
Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 day

Step 8: Clearing agent confirms with Customs on the of arrival of consignment
Body in charge and office contacts

Contracted Clearing Agent

Documents Required to complete the process

N/A

Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

Dependent on Agency

Step 9: Foward all relevant original cargo clearance documents to clearing agent
Body in charge and office contacts

Your company

Documents Required to complete the process

Official copies of

      1. Phyto from origin
      2. ISTA Certicate
      3. COMESA Certificate
Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

N/A

Step 10: Lodge the Custom Entry Form (C17B) on the Simba System and pay taxes
Body in charge and office contacts

KRA Customs Department

Documents Required to complete the process
      1. Unique consignment reference (UCR)
      2. Import permit (copy)
      3. Invoice (copy)
Cost (KES)

Nil

Official Length of process

10-20 minutes

Step 11: Import document verificiation process
Body in charge and office contacts
      1. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
      2. Kindly click on link in the summary window for contacts.
Documents Required to complete the process
      1. Plant import permit (original)
      2. Phytosanitary certificate (original) From the country of origin.
      3. Notice to import – Form SR14 (original) Issued by KEPHIS.
      4. ISTA (International Seed Testing Association) certificate (original) From the country of origin. (OECD, COMESA LABELS)
      5. Invoice (original)
Cost (KES)

Kshs.8,400.00 is a charge by KPA not KEPHIS.

The costs for KEPHIS depends on the species and quantity imported as per CAP 326 , L. Notice. 220

Official Length of process

1 day

Step 12: Obtain Port Health Clearance (ONLY RELEVANT TO THE AIRPORT)
Body in charge and office contacts

Port Health Services Kenya

Documents Required to complete the process

Release order stamped by KEBS (original)

Cost (USD)

USD. 20.00 (Per item)

Official Length of process

1 day

Step 13: Physical release of consignment
Body in charge and office contacts

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

Documents Required to complete the process
  1. Release order stamped by customs border control
  2. Import declaration form (IDF) (copy)
  3. Delivery notification
  4. Bank deposit slip (original) for handling shed charges.
  5. Air waybill (original)
  6. Invoice (original)
Cost (USD)

Nil

Official Length of process

1 day

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