Commonwealth Trade MSME Exporter Portal

馃嚢馃嚜 Kenya 路 Category 3 of 9

Authorisation and permits

Verified 路 29 Apr 2026

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.

Overview

Beyond general customs clearance, many Kenyan exports require a specific authorisation tied to the type of product. Plants and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate and, for some destinations, an export permit from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). Scheduled crops such as tea, coffee, horticulture, nuts and pyrethrum are licensed by the relevant directorate of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). Fish and fishery products need an export permit and health certificate from the Kenya Fisheries Service, which is Kenya's competent authority for fish safety. Wildlife-related and CITES-listed items, minerals, and certain manufactured goods carry their own permits. For a small exporter, the practical rule is to check the exact permit chain for your HS code on InfoTrade Kenya first, because these authorisations are prerequisites that customs will look for before releasing the consignment. Almost all of them are applied for electronically through the KenTrade single window.

Key requirements

  1. 1

    Phytosanitary certificate (KEPHIS)

    Every plant or plant product exported from Kenya needs a KEPHIS phytosanitary certificate confirming it meets the importing country's plant-health requirements.

  2. 2

    Crop directorate licence (AFA)

    Tea, coffee, horticulture, nuts and other scheduled crops require registration or an export licence from the appropriate AFA directorate.

  3. 3

    Fish export permit and health certificate

    The Kenya Fisheries Service issues export permits and fish health certificates as Kenya's competent authority for fishery products.

  4. 4

    Special-goods permits

    CITES permits (wildlife products), mineral export permits and other sector authorisations apply to specific goods and must be secured before shipment.

Documents you will need

  • KEPHIS phytosanitary certificate / export permit
  • AFA crop directorate export licence or registration
  • Kenya Fisheries Service export permit and health certificate
  • CITES or mineral permit where applicable
  • Commercial invoice and packing list
  • Consignment inspection report