Kenya Importer of Record at a Glance:
Importer of Record
- Kenya has a flourishing tech market and is a popular location for clients to utilize Importer of Record services
- In addition to common shipping documents, Kenyan customs requires Certificates of Conformity and Type Approvals
- Kenya is strict with product valuations and you should ensure that you are valuing your equipment near MSRP rates
IT Shipping & Logistics
- Air freight and last-mile delivery are easy to secure and have a quick turnaround time
- During shipping, you should properly protect your equipment from the hot, dry, sandy climate
Importer of Record and Pre-Shipment Documentation
Importer of Record
Kenya is one of many markets in Africa that has seen major investment by hyperscalers in the past few years, and these markets will likely continue to grow. Kenya is a popular destination for our clients establishing a presence in Africa. However, Kenya is a location where clients typically require FGX to provide Importer of Record services.
Documentation and Valuations
There are two main documents you will need besides “typical” shipping documentation – Certificates of Conformity and Type Approvals. Certificates of Conformity ensure that the products meet standards set by the Kenyan government for quality and safety. These certificates are issued to the original device manufacturers and you must request them prior to shipment departure. Type Approvals similarly ensure that products meet certain standards, but they also detail what the product is and its function.
One area where Kenya is stricter than other markets is with product valuations. The value of your equipment needs to be consistent with MSRP pricing. If you value your equipment much lower than MSRP (i.e. because you bought it discounted), Kenyan customs may place your shipment under review and require you to substantiate your declared equipment value. Should your value not be accepted, Kenyan customs may require you to declare a higher valuation and therefore subject you to more taxes or even penalties in order to complete the clearance process.
IT Shipping & Logistics
Shipping to and within Kenya is relatively easy and quick. Air freight typically takes 3-5 days and last-mile delivery takes as little as 1-2 days. There are plenty of wide-body air freight options and on the ground shipping has little to no obstacles.
As usual, when carrying out last-mile delivery in hot, sandy locations, it’s important that you properly pack and store your equipment to keep it cool and dry.
FGX manages all of our client’s shipments door-to-door (or door-to-datacenter). This case study showcases how we navigated IT logistics and importation into Kenya at the time that it was written. Regulations and challenges are constantly changing and exact shipping requirements may have changed. To learn more about FGX and how our global shipping platform can help your company, reach out here.
