Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) convened a meeting centered around the challenges faced by manufacturers regarding the importation of white refined sugar for industrial purposes.
The meeting held on 5th March 2024 shed light on the rejection of manufacturers’ imports by KEBS, attributing it primarily to discrepancies in labeling and packaging.
KEBS noted that imports without clear and precise labeling have been vulnerable to rejection, posing significant challenges for businesses reliant on these materials for their industrial processes.
“The rejections were mainly attributed to the language used on labels and packaging,” KEBS said in statement.
“Specifically, imports of white sugar intended for industrial use, classified under heading 1701.99.10, often failed to conform to regulations because the labelling and packaging did not explicitly identify the contents as refined white sugar.”
KEBS to Reconsider Sugar Sampling Procedures
The absence of standardized nomenclature for describing white refined sugar emerged as a significant obstacle for manufacturers.
Furthermore, stakeholders emphasized the need for improvements in the sampling and testing procedures for imported sugar, highlighting the importance of efficiency in these processes.
Also Read: Company Behind Importation of Ksh214 Million Condemned Sugar Responds to KRA Claims
They also discussed the need to enhance turnaround time for sampling and testing of imported sugar, highlighting the importance of efficiency in these processes.
Meanwhile, KEBS reiterated its commitment to facilitating smooth operations for businesses by streamlining importation procedures and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
Also, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on February 18, 2024, seized contaminated sugar worth Ksh214 million at the Port of Mombasa.
According to KRA, the toxic sugar was more than 1,112 tonnes of imported household sugar packed in 46 containers.
The revenue authority explained that the 13 containers were contaminated following a mechanical hitch that led to flooding of water inside the consignment making it unfit for human consumption.
The taxman on 28th February 2024 agreed to test samples of a consignment of sugar that had been detained over safety issues.
Also Read: Owner of Ksh214 million Sugar Seized in Mombasa Speaks
KEBS Inspecting Imported Sugars
KEBS earlier on 9th August 2023 unveiled stringent regulations governing the importation of sugar under the country’s recent duty-free import initiative pursuant to paragraphs 7(2) and 9(2) of Legal Notice 78 of 2020.
Under the regulations, all imported sugar accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) were to undergo mandatory re-inspection and testing at the port of entry at free of charge.
Additionally, they mentioned that all imported sugar consignments shipped from countries where KEBS has appointed inspection companies and are not accompanied by CoCs will be inspected upon arrival at a fee equivalent to five percent (5%) of the approved customs values.
