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Drafted, awaiting ADL

Import and export guide: documents

What documents are needed to clear goods in Kenya?

Most imports into Kenya need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, an import declaration lodged through the KenTrade single window and a Certificate of Origin. Since 1 September 2026 importers also need the export declaration from the country of export. Many goods need a KEBS Certificate of Conformity or an agency permit as well. The documents checklist on this page covers the rest.

Sources
KRA, KenTrade, KEBS
Last checked

What is a bill of lading?

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A bill of lading is the contract between the owner of the goods and the ocean carrier. The original of a negotiable bill of lading is the document of title, and the buyer usually needs it to collect the goods. An air waybill, used for air cargo, is not negotiable. A telex release is a carrier's message releasing the cargo to a named party without the original bill of lading.

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What is an IDF in Kenya?

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IDF has two meanings in Kenya, so ask which one is meant. The import declaration form is the base document a licensed clearing agent lodges on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform once the supplier's pro forma invoice arrives, before the goods ship. The Import Declaration Fee is a charge the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collects on the customs value of the goods.

Sources
KRA, KenTrade
Last checked

Do I need a Certificate of Origin to import into Kenya?

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Yes, for most goods. KRA requires every consignment imported into Kenya to carry a Certificate of Origin issued by a competent authority in the country of export, under Section 44A of the Tax Procedures Act. The rule took effect on 1 July 2025 and has been enforced in full since 1 October 2025. Personal effects, used goods including used vehicles, samples of no commercial value and a few other categories are exempt.

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What is the export declaration requirement under Section 23B?

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From 1 September 2026, Section 23B of the Tax Procedures Act requires importers to obtain the export declaration, export entry, customs export certificate or an equivalent document from the country of export, and to keep it for at least five years. It should show the exporter, importer, goods, quantity, value, tariff classification and country of export. Without it, KRA may reject claims on value, origin, exemptions or refunds.

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What is the Advance Cargo Declaration code on a bill of lading?

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Containerised cargo bound for a Kenyan port needs an Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) reference code on its bill of lading. KRA launched the platform on 3 August 2026. The exporter gets the code from acd.kra.go.ke when the container is loaded, after uploading the draft bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export declaration. Buying from abroad? Ask your supplier for the code before the ship sails.

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Exporting to Kenya? Send these before the goods sail

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Send your Kenyan buyer the commercial invoice, packing list, Certificate of Origin, export declaration and any Certificate of Conformity. Containers also need the ACD code on the bill of lading.

Sources: KRA, KenTrade, KEBS

Last checked: 12 October 2026

Read next

Clearance readiness checklist

Check which documents your shipment needs and which you already have

Drafted, awaiting ADL

Pick what you are shipping, then tick each document you hold. Send it to Accord Diraks Logistics Limited (ADL) and the quote form opens with your cargo type filled in.

A checklist cannot read your contract. ADL confirms your list before your cargo ships.

Placeholder: ADL approval of each list and its monthly reviewer (Q-34); launch cargo types (Q-35)

Importing or exporting?

Pick what you are shipping to see its documents.

Every list in full. Print this page or email info@accordke.co.ke.

Core import documents

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Commercial invoice

    The seller's bill for the goods: what was sold, the price and the terms.

    Issued by: the sellerSource:KRA import requirements

  • Packing list

    What is in each package, with weights and marks.

    Issued by: the sellerSource:KRA import requirements

  • Purchase order or sales contract

    The agreement behind the shipment.

    Issued by: you and the sellerSource:KRA import requirements

  • KRA PIN certificate

    Your tax registration with KRA.

    Issued by: KRASource:KRA import requirements

  • Import declaration form (IDF)

    The base document for the shipment on KenTrade's Trade Facilitation Platform, lodged before the goods ship.

    Issued by: lodged by your licensed clearing agent on KenTradeSource:KRAKenTrade FAQs

  • Certificate of Origin

    Proof of the country where the goods were made.

    Issued by: a competent authority in the country of exportSource:KRA notice of 23 September 2025

  • Export declaration (Section 23B)

    The export record from the country the goods left; keep it for at least five years.

    Issued by: the customs of the country of export, through your supplierSource:KRA Finance Act 2026 guide

  • Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

    Proof the goods meet Kenyan standards, checked before export under KEBS's PVoC programme; one certificate per consignment.

    Issued by: an inspection agent appointed by KEBS in the country of exportSource:KEBS FAQs

  • Letter of credit, if the deal uses one

    The bank's undertaking to pay the seller against documents.

    Issued by: your bankSource:KRA import requirements

Importing general goods by sea in a container

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Core import documents
  • Bill of lading

    The carrier's contract and receipt; the original usually releases the cargo.

    Issued by: the shipping line or its agentSource:KRA import requirements

  • Freight invoice

    The bill for the sea freight.

    Issued by: the shipping line or forwarderSource:KRA import requirements

  • ACD reference code on the bill of lading

    KRA's pre-arrival code for containerised cargo.

    Issued by: KRA's ACD platform, obtained by the exporterSource:KRA notice of 14 July 2026

  • Import Standardization Mark (ISM), where it applies

    A KEBS mark some imported goods must carry. Placeholder: confirm on KEBS which goods need the ISM

    Issued by: KEBSSource:KRA import requirements

Importing general goods by air

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Core import documents
  • Air waybill

    The air carrier's document for the shipment; not negotiable.

    Issued by: the airline or its agentSource:KRA import requirements

Importing machinery and equipment

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Everything in list 1 or list 2, depending on how it travels
  • PVoC exemption approval, registered manufacturers only

    KEBS can exempt raw materials, machinery and parts for manufacturers whose own products carry the Standardization Mark; you apply first.

    Issued by: KEBSSource:KEBS FAQs

Importing food products

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Everything in list 1 or list 2
  • Agency permits for food

    Placeholder: confirm on KRA and each agency's site which permits food imports need, and who issues them

Importing plants, seeds and plant products

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Everything in list 1 or list 2
  • Plant Import Permit

    Required before the goods leave origin, whatever their purpose.

    Issued by: KEPHISSource:KEPHIS imports page

  • Phytosanitary certificate

    Confirms the exporting country's plant protection authority examined the goods for pests and diseases; travels with the consignment, with a copy of the Plant Import Permit.

    Issued by: the competent authority in the exporting country

Importing medicines and other health products

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Everything in list 1 or list 2
  • Import permit for health products

    Covers medicines, vaccines, medical devices, cosmetics, food supplements and herbal medicines.

    Issued by: Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)Source:PPB website

Exporting general goods from Kenya

Last checked against KRA, KenTrade and KEBS sources on 12 October 2026. Reviewed monthly.

  • Commercial invoice

    The seller's bill for the goods: what was sold, the price and the terms.

    Issued by: you, the seller

  • Packing list

    What is in each package, with weights and marks.

    Issued by: you, the seller

  • Export entry

    The declaration of the goods leaving Kenya, made in KRA's customs system, iCMS.

    Issued by: lodged by your licensed clearing agentSource:KRA notice on exports in iCMS

  • Bill of lading or air waybill

    The carrier's document for the shipment: a bill of lading by sea, an air waybill by air.

    Issued by: the carrier

  • Phytosanitary certificate, for plants and plant products

    Issued by: KEPHISSource:KEPHIS

  • Certificate of Origin for the buyer's country

    Needed to claim a trade preference in the buyer's country. Placeholder: confirm the issuer of EAC and non-preferential certificates of origin for Kenyan exports, for example to the EU

    Issued by: KRA's Rules of Origin offices (Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu) for AfCFTA certificates, after the exporter registers

  • The buyer's own import documents

    Placeholder: ADL confirms which export lanes it handles before this list goes live (Q-32)

Not sure what your consignment needs? Ask ADL before it ships

Drafted, awaiting ADL

ADL explains each cost and gives clients a free printout of their shipment's requirements. Tick off what you hold in the checklist and send it to ADL.

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