How to Export Goods from Kenya

How to Export Goods from Kenya? What are the export registration procedures, export customs process, export cargo movement methods in Kenya? Explain the export methodology in Kenya.

Information given here explains about step by step procedures that need to be finished with Kenya government authority for exportation from Kenya.

Every natural persons or legal entities are approved to conduct export and import process in Kenya. But a registered trade with concerned license as per the business is must for exporting and importing of commercial products from and into Kenya.

The Customs Services Department of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is the official customs authority of Kenya. The function of the Department is to collect and account for import duty and VAT on imports, facilitation of legitimate trade and protection of society from illegal entry and exit of prohibited goods.

The efficiency of the Customs Clearance process is depend on having the valid documents, the accuracy of the information provided in the documents as well as the promptness in submitting the documents and filing the necessary applications for the Customs Clearance. The exporter should make sure that they made all of the accurate export documents that are required to get the goods delivered through the port, cleared customs, satisfy all compliance and regulations, then loaded on board the pre determined carrier. All export documentation must be completed correctly to avoid any missed shipments, port demurrage charges or fines to the business.

Procedure

• The process of exporting is usually less complicated than that of importing
  

Apply In-Person

Before you take the order

1. Ensure you have a trade licence
2. Ensure you have secured an exporter’s code number from The Kenya revenue Authority
3. Ensure you have an export licence, if required
4. Ensure you have the necessary permits or certificates in the case of fish, plant, horticultural products, minerals, etc. You can get help with this by appointing a freight forwarder who will prepare the these documents
5. Obtain the buyer’s specifications for the goods and the relevant regulatory requirements and ensure you can comply
6. Determine and organize adequate funds for acquiring the goods and for relevant fees and permits.
   

Before the goods are sent

1. Contact the buyer to ensure that the supply contract is fully signed indicating:
   (i). Description of goods
   (ii). Technical specifications
   (iii).Quantity
   (iv). Price
   (v). Payment terms
   (vi). Delivery time
2. Contact your bank to obtain a payment guarantee.
3. Obtain/prepare all the necessary export documents and forward them to your freight forwarder:
   (a) Commercial invoice
   (b) Certificate of origin
   (c) Special licences
   (d) Packing list
4. Freight forwarder will then book space on the transport vessel, prepare the custom declaration forms and lodges them with the Customs Department.
5. You can now release the goods to your freight forwarder for shipping.
6. The goods are inspected by all the relevant regulatory authorities and cleared for export.
7. After inspection the goods will be delivered to vessel for loading.
8. After this a Bill of lading or airway bill is issued to the freight forwarder exporter.
9. Forward the export documents to the bank to receive your payment

Required Documents

• The following documents are required for a typical export transaction:

1. Identity card/passport
2. KRA Pin
3. Commercial invoice
4. Bill of lading/Airway bill
5. Packing list
6. Certificate of origin
7. Certificate of compliance
8. Shipping order
9. All necessary permits

• As with imports, these documents need to be lodged together with the customs declaration to clear the goods for export. You can engage a freight forwarder to do the documentation on your behalf.
  

Office Locations & Contacts

Customs Department
Kenya Revenue Authority- Head Office
Times Tower, 19th Floor, Haile Selassie Avenue
P.O. Box 30742 Tel. 310900, Fax 315987 Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 2813068, 2813160, 2812011.
Fax: 253532,240929, Nairobi Kenya.
Email: callcentre@kra.go.ke
Website: KRA Customs Website

Export Promotion Council
1st and 16th Floor Anniversary Towers, University Way
P.O. Box 40247 00100 GPO
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel. +254 20 222 8534-8
Cellphone: +254 722 205 875 or 734 228 534
Fax: +254 20 222 8539 or 221 8013
Website: EPC Website

Eligibility to Export Goods from Kenya

• Locally processed or finished goods that comply with set standards can be exported
  

Fees – Export Goods from Kenya

• Exporting costs vary depending on nature of good and trade agreements.
• The E.A. Customs Management Act describes the value of goods for export as including:

(i). The cost of the goods
(ii). Transport and all other charges up to the time of delivery of the goods on board the exporting aircraft or vessel, or at the place of exit from the country.

• The Customs and Excise Act specifies the goods upon which export duties are charged and the rates applicable.
  

Validity

• The validity period is forever.
  

Documents to Use

• Application for exportation documents are provided at the customs office at the port of entry in Kenya and from your preferred freight forwarder.

Processing Time

• This depends on the mode of exportation and the distance between Kenya and the importing country.

Instructions

• Your customer places an order for goods. You prepare the invoice and other documents e.g. Commercial invoice, Packing list, Certificates of compliance.
• Appoint freight forwarder and forward copies of documents to them.
• Freight forwarder then makes booking with shipping line or airline and prepares the customs declaration and lodges it with Customs Department e.g. electronic declaration, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of compliance and shipping order
• Goods delivered to the port and inspected by Customs and the other interested regulatory bodies e.g. KEPHIS, Port Health
• After successful inspection the goods are delivered to vessel for loading
• Bill of lading / airway bill issued
• Take export documents to the bank for payment.
  

Required Information

1. Full names of exporter importer
2. Date of birth
3. Valid identity proof (ID/ Passport)
4. Citizenship
5. Address
6. Occupation
7. The Customs Value (CIF Value)
8. Packing list
9. Monthly exchange rate

Need for the Document

• This allows one to export locally produced goods from Kenya to other countries.
  

Information which might help

Valuation of Exports

• The E.A. Customs Management Act describes the value of goods for export as including:

(i) The cost of the goods
(ii) Transport and all other charges up to the time of delivery of the goods on board the exporting aircraft or vessel, or at the place of exit from the country.

• Where the cost of the goods cannot be determined, the cost of similar or identical goods exported from an EAC partner state at about or the same time shall apply. Where the value of the goods cannot be determined through the previously mentioned methods, then the proper officer may determine the value of the goods by other objective means.
  

Assessment of Duty

• The Fourth Schedule of the Customs and Excise Act specifies the goods upon which export duties are charged and the rates applicable. In Kenya, export duties are charged on raw hides and skins, and scrap metal.
• The Minister of Finance, by notice in the Kenya Gazette, may amend the rates of duty for exports by increasing or decreasing them.
  

Prohibited and Restricted Exports

• The Third Schedule of the EA Customs Management Act describes the Prohibited and Restricted Exports.
• Restricted exports include waste and scrap of ferrous cast iron, timber from any wood grown in Kenya and wood charcoal.
• According to the Schedule, prohibited goods comprise “All goods the exportation of which is prohibited under this Act or by any written law for the time being in force in the Partner States.”

External Links

• Guide to Exporting
• handbook of importing and exporting
• KAA Contacts
• KPA Contacts