Kenya Ports Authority has warned shippers who transport commodities that are non-compliant with Kenyan standards that it will not clear discharge the cargo. In a public notice, KPA said all imports destined for Kenya through the port of Mombasa must be accompanied with a certificate of conformity that meets Kenya’s pre-export verification conditions. It said any non-compliant goods arriving at the port will be detained and taken through further inspections with their importers subject to penalties for flouting the law. “Where post verification is undertaken for the non-compliant cargo, full verification charges shall apply as per KPA tariff,” reads the notice, signed by Gichiri Ndua, managing director of Kenya Ports Authority.

Among imports not included in this new arrangement are goods already regulated by other government agencies such as Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate, Pest Control and Products Board, and Pharmacy and Poisons Board. Other imports not subject to the new requirements are products that are certified under the diamond mark scheme by Kebs, printed matter including textbooks and magazines, courier shipments through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which are cleared under memorandum of understanding between Kebs and players in the courier industry and primary inputs for direct use in manufacturing.

Source: The Star

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