Kenya – Registration requirements for importers of used/second-hand garments and used shoes

Protocols for importation and trade in used textiles and shoes (MITUMBA) Kenya would like to inform WTO Members that following the declaration of COVID-19 by WHO as a global pandemic, The Government of Kenya put in place a temporary suspension of importation of used textiles and shoes (Mitumba) on 31 March 2020 into Kenyan territory as a precautionary measure to mitigate against the risk of infection with coronavirus. The Government Kenya has published protocols for importation of used textiles and used that provide for proper treatment of used textiles and used shoes before and after importation. For proper management of verification of conformity to the protocols, Kenya Bureau of Standards advises as follows:

a) All importers of used textiles and shoes shall REGISTER with KEBS by filling the registration form that is available and can be downloaded from the KEBS website (www.kebs.org).

b) Clearance of used textiles and used shoes shall be undertaken through Kilindini port and Inland Container Depot Nairobi (ICDN). KEBS urges importers, dealers and buyers of used textiles and shoes to adhere to the guidelines provided in the protocols.

Product Coverage:Second Hand Clothes

HS Code:61, 62

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