Kenya Approves Nine Firms to Inspect Goods Before Import

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has authorized nine firms to conduct inspections of imported goods prior to shipment from exporting countries. This initiative is part of KEBS’s consumer protection and quality assurance program.

The Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program aims to ensure imported goods meet Kenyan standards through inspections conducted either in the exporting country or at Kenyan ports of entry.

Contracted Inspection Firms

KEBS has contracted inspection companies on a three-year cycle. The newly appointed firms are Quality Inspection Services Inc. (Japan), China Hansom Inspection and Certificate Co. Ltd, ASTC As Test Certification Tech. (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, China Certification and Inspection Group Inspection Company Limited, Intertek International Limited, Cotecna Inspection SA, TUV Rheinland Middle East FZE, Bureau Veritas Kenya Limited, and Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) SA.

Service Commencement and Geographic Assignments

These firms will begin providing PVoC services for general goods starting February 19, 2026. The specific countries or zones assigned to each company are detailed in the PVoC manual available on the KEBS website (www.kebs.org).

Certificate of Conformity Requirements

All consignments shipped on or after March 1, 2026, from countries with appointed inspection firms must be accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs). These documents confirm that imports meet Kenya’s safety, quality, and technical standards.

Destination Inspection Fees

Consignments shipped on or after March 1, 2026, from countries where KEBS has appointed inspection companies without a CoC will be subjected to destination inspection at a fee equivalent to five percent of the approved customs value. For consignments from countries without appointed inspection firms, destination inspection will continue to be required upon payment of a fee equivalent to zero-point six percent of the approved customs value, subject to a minimum of USD 300 and a maximum of USD 3,500, with potential additional testing fees if samples are drawn for laboratory analysis.