BY MARY ADISA
Device assemblers and manufacturers must register on the KRA customs portal and submit a report
The country’s taxman, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced new regulations to govern importers of mobile devices that will hit Kenyans hard from January 1, 2025 as the government seeks to ramp up revenue collection to meet the country’s growing needs.
Under the new KRA regulations, all importers will be required to submit detailed import entries that include accurate quantities, comprehensive model descriptions and the respective International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for each mobile device.
Additionally, device assemblers and manufacturers must register on the KRA customs portal and submit a report of all devices assembled for the local market, along with their respective IMEI numbers.
Passengers entering Kenya will also be required to declare their mobile devices on the F88 passenger declaration form, providing the necessary details and IMEI numbers for devices intended for use during their stay.
Those who fail to do so will have their phones’s IMEI numbers deactivated rendering the gadgets unusable.
“It is crucial for all stakeholders to obtain the appropriate regulatory clearances and permits from the Communications Authority of Kenya to ensure compliance with local laws,” says KRA.
This follows a recent announcement by the Communication Authority of Kenya’s (CA) on its new measures to support KRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance tax compliance and improve the integrity of the mobile device market in Kenya.
KRA is mandated to collect revenue on behalf of the government of Kenya and administers various tax laws and regulations, including the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004 (EACCMA).
In line with Part B of the Second Schedule of the EACCMA, mobile devices are classified as restricted imports, which necessitate obtaining regulatory permits from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
KRA has already notified all importers and stakeholders in the mobile device sector to familiarize themselves with these regulations and to ensure they are in full compliance to facilitate smooth importation processes.
