🇰🇪 Kenya Export Certificates - Step-by-Step Guide

Everything a fresh-produce exporter needs, in the order you need it. Based on the official InfoTradeKenya (KenTrade) procedures for horticultural products.

Part 1 - One-time registrations (do these first)

1KRA PIN & business registrationONE-TIME
Your business needs a KRA PIN and registration (sole proprietor is fine to start). Everything below builds on this.
2Register on the AFA IMIS portal, then as an exporter with the Horticultural Crops Directorate (HCD)ONE-TIME, renew yearly
Agency: Agriculture & Food Authority - Horticultural Crops Directorate. Portal: imis.afa.go.ke. This gives you the HCD export licence - the legal requirement to export fruits, vegetables and herbs from Kenya. Requirements: KRA PIN, ID, business certificate. Modest annual fee (confirm current fee on IMIS).
3Register on the KEPHIS IEICS systemONE-TIME
Agency: Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service. Portal: ieics.kephis.org. This is where you will apply for every phytosanitary certificate. Registration needs your HCD licence, KRA PIN and contact details.
4Register on the Trade Facilitation Platform (Kenya TradeNet single window)ONE-TIME
Agency: KenTrade. All consignment permits and customs documents flow through this single window. Info: infotradekenya.go.ke.
5Register with KRA Rules of Origin + KNCCIONE-TIME
Needed to issue certificates of origin: KRA Rules of Origin Section for preferential COOs (EU/EPA, COMESA, EAC, AfCFTA, AGOA), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce for ordinary (non-preferential) COOs.
6FPEAK membership (optional but valuable)OPTIONAL
Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya - industry representation, buyer linkages, and KenyaGAP support. Highly recommended for new exporters.

Part 2 - Documents needed for EVERY consignment

1HCD export certificate (horticultural produce)PER CONSIGNMENT
Apply via the AFA IMIS portal against your exporter licence. Confirms the consignment is from a registered exporter.
2KEPHIS phytosanitary certificate (fresh produce)PER CONSIGNMENT
Apply on IEICS; a KEPHIS inspector checks the consignment (at your packhouse or at the airport/port inspection point) before the certificate is issued. Typical turnaround: same day to 48 hours when produce passes. The importing country will reject uncertified plant produce - this is the single most important export document.
3Certificate of OriginPER CONSIGNMENT
For the EU/UK use the preferential COO (EPA - reduces buyer's import duty to zero) via KRA/TradeNet. For other markets an ordinary COO from KNCCI. Match the COO type to your destination.
4Commercial documents + customs declarationPER CONSIGNMENT
Commercial invoice, packing list, and the customs export entry (usually lodged by your clearing agent through TradeNet), plus airway bill / bill of lading from your freight forwarder.

Part 3 - Crop-specific extras

Avocados: HCD lab maturity test report is mandatory (oil/dry-matter content). During the closed season a stricter test applies - exporting immature fruit is an offence and HCD publishes season opening/closing dates each year.
Beans & peas (dry): GMO-free certificate + phytosanitary certificate for dry produce.
Fresh beans, peas, herbs, vegetables: standard fresh-produce phytosanitary route; EU destinations are strict on MRLs (pesticide residues) - keep your spray diary clean and respect PHIs (AfriCompliance tracks this for you).
Flowers: phytosanitary certificate; most exporters also hold KFC (Kenya Flower Council) or MPS certification for market access.

Part 4 - Buyer certifications (not government, but buyers demand them)

GLOBALG.A.P. - the de-facto entry ticket to EU/UK supermarkets. Use the Readiness Assessment in AfriCompliance to see your gaps, then book a certification body audit.
KenyaGAP / KS 1758 - the Kenyan national horticulture standard (KS 1758 Part 2 is legally required for domestic and export fresh produce chains).
Realistic budget & timeline for a new exporter: allow 2-4 weeks to complete all one-time registrations, and budget for the HCD licence, per-consignment certificate fees (each modest - hundreds of shillings, not thousands), plus freight and clearing agent costs. Confirm current fees on the agency portals - they change.

← Back to AfriCompliance