Kenya
AfricaCapital: Nairobi 路 Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Kenya is East Africa's largest and most diversified economy and the region's principal trade and logistics hub, anchored by the Port of Mombasa and Nairobi's air-freight corridor. For a small exporter it offers a mature single-window clearance system (KenTrade), strong preferential access under EAC, COMESA, AfCFTA and the EU-Kenya EPA, and well-known Made in Kenya brands in tea, coffee and cut flowers. Agriculture and horticulture dominate export earnings, so most MSME exporters must navigate phytosanitary, food-safety and standards requirements alongside customs.
Key exports
Trade agreements
Trade requirements
Select a category to see the rules, documents and agencies for exporting from Kenya.
- 1. Compliance requirements Every Kenyan exporter must be a registered business with a KRA PIN and meet product-specific standards before goods can clear for export. Verified 路 18 May 2026
- 2. Customs formalities Exports are declared electronically to the Kenya Revenue Authority through the iCMS customs system, cleared via the KenTrade single window. Verified 路 20 May 2026
- 3. Authorisation and permits Regulated exports need product- and sector-specific permits from agencies such as KEPHIS, AFA and the Kenya Fisheries Service, all issued through the single window. Verified 路 29 Apr 2026
- 4. Packaging and Labelling Export packaging and labels must meet KEBS standards and the destination market's rules, covering product identity, origin, weight and safety information. May be outdated 路 31 Mar 2026
- 5. HACCP/SPS requirements Food, plant and animal exports must meet sanitary and phytosanitary controls, with HACCP-based food-safety systems required for most processed-food and fishery exports. May be outdated 路 14 Apr 2026
- 6. Tax information Exports of goods are VAT zero-rated in Kenya, and EPZ/SEZ exporters enjoy duty and tax incentives, but all filings run through KRA iTax and iCMS. Verified 路 2 Jun 2026
- 7. Trade agreements Kenya's exporters benefit from EAC, COMESA, AfCFTA, the EU-Kenya EPA and (through Dec 2026) AGOA, each requiring the right certificate of origin. Verified 路 6 May 2026
- 8. Trade finance providers Kenyan exporters can access trade finance from commercial banks and regional development banks such as TDB, Afreximbank and AfDB-backed facilities. Verified 路 11 May 2026
- 9. Trade promotion agencies KEPROBA (Make it Kenya) is the lead export-promotion body, supported by the State Department for Trade and sector boards, offering market intelligence and buyer linkages. Verified 路 22 Apr 2026
Official agencies
The bodies that register exporters, set standards, clear customs and provide finance in Kenya.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
Customs & revenueNational revenue and customs authority handling export declarations, VAT and duties via iCMS and iTax.
Visit websiteEastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB)
Trade financeRegional development bank providing trade finance, guarantees and export-credit facilities.
Visit websiteState Department for Trade, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry
MinistryGovernment department setting trade policy and administering trade agreements and market access.
Visit websiteAgriculture and Food Authority (AFA)
OtherRegulator licensing scheduled crops (tea, coffee, horticulture, nuts) for export through its directorates.
Visit websiteKenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
OtherPlant-health regulator issuing phytosanitary certificates and plant export permits.
Visit websiteKenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade)
OtherOperator of the national single-window (TradeNet) and InfoTrade Kenya trade information portal.
Visit websiteKenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
Standards & SPSNational standards body issuing product certification, quality marks and pre-export conformity.
Visit websiteKenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA)
Trade promotionLead export-promotion and nation-branding agency operating the Make it Kenya brand.
Visit website