Kenya Import Duty Rates
EAC Common External Tariff (CET)
Kenya applies the East African Community (EAC) Common External Tariff. Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 3.5% on CIF value applies in addition to customs duty. Railway Development Levy (RDL) of 2.5% also applies. VAT at 16% is applied on CIF + all duties. Used vehicles attract additional age-based excise duty.
Duty basis
CIF
VAT
16%
Currency
KES
Products covered
14
Kenya duty rates by product
MFN rates · CIF basis · click for full breakdown| Product | HS Code | MFN Duty | FTA Available | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphones & Mobile Phones | 8517.12 | 0–10% | COMESA: 0% | Details → |
| Passenger Cars | 8703 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Used & Second-Hand Cars | 8703 | 25% + excise | — | Details → |
| Trucks & Commercial Vehicles | 8704 | 10–25% | — | Details → |
| Perfume & Fragrances | 3303.00 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Clothing & Apparel | 61 / 62 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Aluminium Profiles & Windows | 7610 | 10–25% | — | Details → |
| Tyres & Pneumatic Tyres | 4011 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Laptops & Computers | 8471 | 0% | — | Details → |
| Solar Panels & PV Modules | 8541.40 | 0% | — | Details → |
| Furniture | 9403 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Motorcycles & Scooters | 8711 | 25% | — | Details → |
| Steel Flat Products | 7208–7211 | 0–10% | — | Details → |
| Cosmetics & Skincare | 3304 | 25% | — | Details → |
MFN rates are approximate. Verify at official tariff ↗
Importing into Kenya: what you need
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) clears goods through the iCMS system; duty follows the East African Community Common External Tariff.
Registration. A KRA PIN for the importer and a licensed clearing agent for commercial consignments.
Low-value shipments. Small personal parcels may be cleared through simplified postal or courier procedures, but commercial imports pay the full EAC duty, IDF and RDL.
Documents customs will ask for
- Import Declaration Form (lodged before shipment)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- KEBS Certificate of Conformity (PVoC) for regulated products
- Certificate of origin for EAC, COMESA or AfCFTA preference
Charges on top of duty
- Import Declaration Fee: 3.5% of customs value
- Railway Development Levy: 2.5% of customs value
- VAT 16% on value + duty + levies
- Excise duty on vehicles, alcohol, cosmetics and other listed goods
Watch out. Used vehicles must be under eight years from the year of first registration to be imported, and they pay excise on top of the 25% duty.
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