NAIROBI: Importers will from Saturday have their cargo shipped back to country of origin if they fail to comply with the new import standard rules, Kenya Revenue Authority announced in a public notice yesterday.
This follows the expansion of the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to standards programme to cover all imports to Kenya, in a move aimed at curbing sub-standard goods and tax leakages.
KRA said only cargo that meets the PVoC requirements shall be accepted for freight to Kenya, with effect from January 1 and this applies to both sea and air carriers. Both carriers must also ensure a Certificate of Conformity issued by Kenya Bureau of Standards appointed inspection agents is produced, prior to loading, as evidence of quality inspection.
According to Kebs, the PVoC programme is aimed at “assuring Kenyan consumers of the safety and quality of the imported goods they buy and to protect Kenyan manufacturers from unfair competition”. This applies to all cargo destined to Kenya including finished products, a rule that came in place on December 1, 2015.
“Cargo consigned to Kenya which do not conform to the above requirements, shall not be permitted to off load and the same shall be consigned back to the country of origin at the carrier’s cost,” KRA commissioner of customs and border control Julius Musyoki said. Importers who comply with the PVoC will have an advantage as they can now clear cargo in advance
“KRA wishes to encourage compliant importers to take advantage by lodging customs clearance documents in advance of cargo arrival to facilitate pre-arrival clearance,” said Musyoki. Pre-arrival clearance will help cut costs on storage charges both at the port and Container Freight Stations, according to KRA.
“Importers are advised to lodge declarations at least seven days prior to vessel arrival,” said Musyoki. Under the arrangement, Kenya Ports Authority will be given advance notice to release cargo directly to importers, upon vessel arrival. Meanwhile, KRA has listed 11 banks (agents) for payment of customs duties.
They include Kenya Commercial Bank, National Bank, Co-operative bank, Equity, Ecobank, NIC bank, CFC bank, Gulf African, Citibank, Standard Chartered and Housing Finance. However, all Air Passenger Service Charge and Air Navigation Service Charge payments in US dollars will be remitted to KRA’s account at the National Bank of Kenya.
