Kenya Import from India – All You Need to Know!

India is one of Kenya’s leading import partners, supplying goods worth US$ 1.3 billion in 2018. As such, it is crucial to know the procedures and regulations that lie behind Kenya import from India.

First, here is a list of the top imports from India.

• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Plastics
• Iron and steel
• Vehicles other than railway and tramway vehicles
• Pharmaceutical products
• Paper and paperboard, and articles of pulp
• Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products.

Next, take a look at the regulations that apply to Kenya import from India.

• Clearing Agent – Importers are required to enlist the services of a clearing agent who will process the import documents through customs electronically via the Simba 2005 system. This agent will also clear the goods on behalf of the importer.
• Import Licenses – These licenses are required for some environmental, health and security imports.
• Import Declaration Fee – An Import Declaration Fee of 2% of the CIF value is payable. This value is subject to a minimum of Ksh 5000 and is determined by the customs department based on the duty rate and value of the items.
• Pre-Shipment Inspection Requirement – A Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) is required for all imports destined for Kenya.
• Import Standards Mark (ISM) – The ISM is required to exports listed in Kenya’s sensitive imports list.
• Insurance – All imports that are procured by Kenya-based importers must have insurance. This insurance can only come from companies licensed to operate and conduct business in Kenya.
• Quarantine – Imports of seeds, plants and animals are subject to quarantine regulations.
• Duties and Taxes – Duty and Tax are payable depending on the value of the imported goods, and the duty rate that applies. These payments fall into the categories below:
  • Import duty varying between 0 and 25%
  • Excise duty
  • Value Added Tax (VAT)
  • Import Declaration Fee of 2% of the total value of the imported goods
  • Railway Development Levy (1.5% of total import value)

What documents does one need when considering Kenya import from India?

NOTE: These documents are given to clearing agents before the clearing process begins.

1. An Import Standards Mark (ISM) where applicable
2. Certificate of origin
3. Valid pro forma invoice from the exporting firm
4. Valid commercial invoice from the exporting firm
5. A Certificate of Clearance from the PVoC agent (only for regulated products)
6. A valid certificate
7. Bill of Lading for sea cargo, and an Airway Bill for air cargo
8. Freight invoice for sea cargo
9. A permit or license for restricted goods
10. All purchase orders and contracts
11. A Letter of Credit (where applicable)
12. A logbook and its translation of the original language is not English (motor vehicles only)
13. Personal or Taxpayer Identification Number (PIN)
14. An exemption letter (for goods that qualify)
15. A Certificate of Roadworthiness for motor vehicles
16. Packing List

Finally, here is the procedure to follow when importing into Kenya from India.

1. IDF Lodgment and Processing
2. After receiving a proforma invoice, the importer must then hire a licensed clearing agent. This agent will lodge an Import Declaration Form, then send the same form to the supplier for Pre-Shipment inspection.
3. Entry Declaration and Payments
4. The clearing agent then makes a customs declaration and gives the importer a payment slip.
5. The importer makes the payment through the bank and then hands over the official bank slip to the agent. Customs then proceeds to check that the goods are compliant.
6. Verification and Enforcement
7. At this point, the agent presents the physical files with all the documents listed at the nearest customs station where the goods are domiciled and the physical verification is carried out.
8. Clearance and Release
9. After the verification process is complete, all the imported goods that satisfy the regulations above can be cleared and released.

Are you now all set to dive into the Kenya import from India business? Follow the guidelines above, and you will be importing in no time!