Kenya's New Import Policy Promises Revenue Gains but Could Stifle Trade

Cargo Vessel Mv X-Press Kilimanjaro at the port of Mombasa.[FILE]

Beginning October 1, 2025, clearing goods at Mombasa Port has not been business as usual. Whether you are a large manufacturer importing heavy machinery or an individual entrepreneur bringing in a single container of clothing, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) now requires one key document before clearing your goods: a Certificate of Origin (CoO).

For decades, the certificate was necessary only if an importer wished to benefit from lower tariffs under a trade agreement like the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, or the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Most shipments passed through with nothing more than the minimum requirements, invoices, bills of lading, and permits.