The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced new custom requirements for mobile phones entering and leaving the country.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 5, KRA noted that starting January 2025, all mobile phone importers will be required to submit detailed import entries for each imported mobile phone.
"All importers of mobile devices will be required to submit detailed import entries for all mobile devices with accurate quantities, proper model descriptions/specifications, and their respective IMEI numbers in the customs system,” KRA stated.
The taxman further stated that passengers entering the country will be required to declare details and the respective IMEI numbers for their mobile devices intended for use during the stay in the country.
At the same time, KRA declared that local mobile phone manufacturers must register on the customs portal and submit a report of all devices assembled for the local market and their respective IMEI numbers.
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The authority also mandated the manufacturers to obtain the necessary regulatory clearances and permits from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA).
"The public is therefore notified of this requirement, which will be implemented effective 1st January, 2025. Specific guidelines on the system process and how to capture the devices and IMEI numbers for different users will be shared in due course," KRA remarked.
According to the taxman, the new requirements align with the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA, 2004) on restricted imports, stipulating that mobile phones require regulatory permits from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
This comes a few weeks after the Communications Authority of Kenya announced that beginning January 2025, mobile network operators should ensure that they only connect devices to their networks after verifying their tax compliance status.
