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Quality Inspection

Conformity assessment of goods based on Standards and applicable regulations

Pre-Export Verification of Conformity

Prohibiting the sale of products that fail to meet standards

Destination Inspection

Prohibiting the sale of products that fail to meet standards
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What is Quality Inspection?

Quality inspection is a conformity assessment of imports to ensure that goods coming into the country comply to the set standards and regulations.

Quality Inspection of Imports started in Kenya on 1st July 1995 after the gazettement of Legal Notice No. 227 of 14th June 1995 by the Minister for Commerce and Industry. Subsequent Legal Notices have been issued by the Government to ensure that all Imports into Kenya meet the requirements of Kenya Standards or any other standards approved by KEBS. In particular, Legal Notice No. 66 of 10th June 1999 declares all imports into Kenya which do not meet the requirements of Kenya Standards, or any other standards approved by KEBS as Substandard Imports  or prohibited imports.

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Why Quality Inspection?
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Why Quality Inspection?

With the liberalization of trade in Kenya, importers are free to import all kinds of products into the country. This has resulted in substandard commodities flooding the Kenyan market and competing unfairly with locally manufactured products. A number of Kenyan industries have closed and employment opportunities have been lost. The purpose of Quality Inspection of Imports is to ensure that imports into Kenya comply with the requirements of Kenya Standards to which locally manufactured goods are also tested. This will eliminate the dumping of substandard goods in the local market.

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Entry Points

There are three main categories of import entry points: Air, Land and Sea

Air
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Eldoret airport
Land
ICDN, Namanga, Loitokitok, Taveta, Lungalunga, Busia, Isebania, Malaba, Moyale, Wajir,
Sea
Kilindini Mombasa and Lamu

Common Terms

CoC:
Certificate of Conformity
CoR:
Certificate of Roadworthiness for Motor Vehicles
DVS:
Department of Veterinary Services
IDF:
Import Declaration Form
KEPHIS:
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
VAT:
Value Added Tax
NCR:
Nonconformity Report
PCPB:
Pest Control Products Board
Mobile Equipment:
Refers to bulldozers, agricultural / Industrial machinery, excavators, graders, stone crushing machines, road rollers, forklifts, wheel loaders, Railroad car/wagon, Asphalt Milling Machine, moveable cranes, and other off-road vehicles
PPB:
Pharmacy and Poisons Board
PVOC:
Pre-Export Verification of Conformity to Standards
PVOC Contractors:
KEBS – Appointed Inspection Companies
QMS:
Quality Management System
RFC:
Request for Certification
Recognized Laboratory:
KEBS – Appointed Inspection Companies
Witness Testing:
This is a type of testing that involves an independent third-party observer or “witness” who observes and verifies the testing of a product. In the case of PVoC Program, the witnessing is done by the PVoC contractor
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Workshops and Events

Discover Training workshops and events made specifically for you to allow you to understand the various regulations put in place to ensure Imports meet the standards set.
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Categories of imported Goods

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Goods Exempt from PVOC

Goods exempted from pre-shipment verification of conformity (PVOC) through LN78:2020. These includes goods regulated by other government agencies, manufacturers exemptions, Goods having Diamond Mark of Quality (Dmark), ministerial waivers and goods manufactured and certified by the east Africa Community (EAC) countries.

Goods with PVOC Certificates

Goods accompanied with Certificate of Conformity issued by KEBS partners Under PVOC Services

Destination Inspection

KEBS has trained and posted qualified inspectors in various fields such as Chemists, Food Scientists, Textile Engineers, Mechanical engineers, civil engineers and Electrical Engineers among other fields of specialization to carry out destination inspection in all ports of entry before allowing goods into the country. The assessment includes, but not limited to, inspection, sampling, testing, and the issuance of a Certificate of Conformity/Roadworthiness for compliant goods. Goods found non-compliant are issued with a Nonconformity Report (NCR).

Small parcels through courier

To facilitate clearance of small parcels that are imported through courier, KEBS has an MOU with the courier service providers through their umbrella called Courier Industry Association of Kenya (CIAK) where destination inspection is carried out at subsidized rates.

Consolidated Goods

Products imported by KEBS registered consolidators are subjected to physical inspection and testing (where applicable) before release for entry into the country. Consolidated goods imported by registered consolidators shall pay inspection fees of 0.6% of CIF as per the provision of the Legal Notice 212. List of registered Consolidators

Product Registration Scheme

This is a scheme designed to support D.I by easing the clearance process and facilitate trade. Goods under this scheme entering the country from countries where KEBS has appointed PVOC are subjected to destination at the same inspection fees charged by the PVOC partner.