The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has initiated a new era of import control, enforcing fresh contracts for the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program to seal loopholes in the quality of goods entering the country.

The new inspection cycle, which runs from 2026 to 2029, officially commenced on February 9, following the expiration of the previous contracts. KEBS has contracted nine international inspection firms, including industry giant SGS, to police the quality of imports at their point of origin across various global zones. This move is a direct response to the persistent challenge of substandard goods flooding the local market.

Closing the Quality Gap

Under the new framework, the world is divided into specific zones, with designated firms responsible for inspecting cargo before it ships to Kenya. For instance, SGS has been assigned Zone 2 (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and Zone 3 (Japan, South Korea), among others. This zoning strategy ensures accountability; if a fake product lands in Mombasa, KEBS knows exactly which inspector dropped the ball.

The transition has not been without friction. With the old contracts expiring on February 8, there was a brief interim period where importers faced uncertainty. KEBS has clarified that goods shipped without a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) during this window will face a "Destination Inspection" at a fee of 0.6% of the customs value. This penalty serves as a deterrent against bypassing the system.

• The Period: New contracts run from 2026 to 2029.
• The Method: PVoC (inspection at origin) is mandatory.
• The Penalty: 0.6% fee for Destination Inspection if CoC is missing.
• The Goal: To protect Kenyan consumers from substandard and unsafe imports.

Impact on Trade

Importers are being urged to share the new Kenya Standards with their suppliers immediately. The "Certificate of Roadworthiness" for used vehicles remains a separate, critical requirement, with specific inspectors like QISJ handling units from Japan and the UK. The message from KEBS is uncompromising: compliance is not optional.

Business associations have welcomed the clarity but warned that efficiency is key. "We support quality control, but the inspection process must not become a bottleneck that delays factory inputs," said a representative from the manufacturers association. As the first ships under the new regime set sail, the effectiveness of these nine firms will determine the safety of everything from electronics to pharmaceuticals on Kenyan shelves.