Traveling abroad for Kenyans is an exciting experience with many looking forward to bringing home souvenirs to remember their journey.
Sometimes, Kenyans travel abroad to have access to cheaper items including phones, and or any other electronic devices.
However, disappointment or shock for many comes when they are stopped at the customs check at the Jomo Kenyatta international Airport (JKIA) and are asked to pay for the items.
Unknown to many, by law, there is a list of items that you will be required to pay duty tax for, even if it is for personal use when you are coming into the country.
Additionally, Kenya Revenue Authority requires you to declare the selected items after your arrival into the country.
KRA on Items You Should Declare Upon Arrival in Kenya
According to the authority, passengers ought to declare items they have purchased and are carrying and those they inherited while abroad upon their arrival in Kenya.
At the same time, the passengers are expected to declare items bought in duty-free shops, on the ship, or on the plane and repairs or alterations to any items taken abroad and brought back into the country.
Likewise, passengers will have to declare gifts bought for their loved ones, items they intend to sell, donations and other items brought for charity.
KRA also details that currency of Ksh1.5 million (10,000 USD) and above or its equivalent must be declared at Customs upon arrival.
Also Read: Foreigner Arrested at JKIA with Ksh 10M Illegal Goods
Excise Duty is Applied on the Following Items
According to the taxman, excise duty will be charged on products like alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
All Spirits (including liquors) exceeding one litre or wine exceeding two litres are items you will be required to pay excise duty for at the customs stop.
Also, electronic products including phones and mobile handsets with accessories like headsets, speakers etc are subject to excise duty.
At the same time, Cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, tobacco, and snuff exceeding 250 grammes in weight will be subjected to the excise duty.
Fruit juices (including grape must), and vegetable juices, unfermented and not containing added spirit, Either or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter are taxed at ksh10 per litre for 1000 litres.
Also Read: Govt Kicks Miraa Traders Out of JKIA
Prohibited and Restricted Goods
The authority also indicated that items including fake money, pornographic material /indecent articles, narcotic drugs, used tyres for light commercial vehicles, Shisha and shisha flavors are prohibited.
Other prohibited items include skin whitening/lightening creams, toy guns, worn underwear garments of any type and counterfeit goods of all kinds.
“All goods the importation of which is for the time being prohibited under this Act or by any written law for the time being in force in the East African Community Partner State,” KRA stated on their website.
At the same time, the taxman indicated that goods including unworked precious metals and precious stones, arms and ammunition, ivory worked or unworked, spent cartridges, historical artefacts and drones are restricted.
