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Kenya Import Duty Rate for Laptops & Computers

HS 8471 · Automatic data processing machines

Kenya MFN Import Duty Rate

Live

on CIF value

Laptops and computers are 0% under EAC ICT tariff reduction policy.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (0%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

VAT (16%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: laptops & computers worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. Kenya charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to KES at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 0%
Import duty	$0
Import Declaration Fee (3.5%)	$382
Railway Development Levy (2.5%)	$273
VAT (16%)	$1,849
Total paid at the border	$2,503

VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty and levies. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying laptops & computers correctly

Heading 8471 covers automatic data-processing machines; laptops and notebooks are 8471.30 (portable, under 10 kg, with at least a CPU, keyboard and display).

Tablets are also 8471.30, but tablets with phone functions may be 8517
Monitors go to 8528 and printers to 8443
Laptop parts and accessories go to 8473

Compliance. Most markets give laptops 0% duty under the WTO Information Technology Agreement; safety and radio approvals (CE, FCC, BIS in India, KC in Korea) and battery shipping rules still apply.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Laptops & Computers in Kenya?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Laptops & Computers (HS 8471) in Kenya is 0% on the CIF value. Laptops and computers are 0% under EAC ICT tariff reduction policy.

Is VAT charged on Laptops & Computers imports to Kenya?

Yes. Kenya charges VAT at 16% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Laptops & Computers in Kenya?

Kenya has free trade agreements with EAC (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC), COMESA, AfCFTA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 8471.

How is import duty calculated for Laptops & Computers entering Kenya?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 0% is applied to this value. VAT (16%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.