Updated 1 November 2026
KEBS PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) means goods bound for Kenya are inspected and certified in the exporting country before they ship, and receive a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Under KEBS’s PVoC Manual version 15, the CoC fee is 0.60% of FOB value under Route A, 0.55% under Route B and 0.50% under Route C, with a minimum of USD 300 and a maximum of USD 3,500. Goods that arrive without a valid CoC go through destination inspection at a fee of 0.6% of the approved customs value.
Updated 1 November 2026 from the KEBS PVoC Manual (version 15) and KEBS public notices. Confirm the current contractor for your country on kebs.org before you ship.
KEBS PVoC fees by route
| Route | Who it suits | Fee (of FOB value) | Minimum / maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Inspection and testing | Any exporter, one shipment at a time | 0.60% | USD 300 / USD 3,500 |
| B: Product registration | Frequent shippers of the same low-risk products | 0.55% | USD 300 / USD 3,500 |
| C: Product licensing | Manufacturers with a quality management system | 0.50% | USD 300 / USD 3,500 |
These fees cover document checks, physical inspection and sampling, and sealing containers where needed. They do not cover lab testing, manufacturer licensing, registration fees, sampling of bulk shipments or re-inspection, which the contractor charges case by case.
Example: a USD 20,000 FOB shipment under Route A works out to 0.60% = USD 120, which is below the minimum, so you pay USD 300. A USD 1,000,000 shipment works out to USD 6,000, which is capped at USD 3,500.
The three KEBS PVoC routes explained
Route A: inspection and testing
Each shipment is inspected and samples are tested against the Kenya Standard or approved specification. This is the default route and is required for some higher-risk goods, including bulk petroleum, bulk cereals and pulses, edible oils, fertiliser, sugar, LPG, fresh dairy and horticultural produce, and used or second-hand goods.
Route B: product registration
Designed for exporters who ship the same products often. You register the products with the PVoC contractor using test reports from earlier Route A shipments. Registration lasts one year, and the contractor carries out at least two surveillance inspections with testing during that time.
Route C: product licensing
Open only to manufacturers who can show a quality management system. The contractor audits production in line with ISO/IEC 17067 and tests the products. A licence lasts three years, or for the length of the PVoC contract.
Documents for KEBS PVoC and port clearance
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Import Declaration Form (IDF)
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- A certificate showing the goods are freely sold and compliant in the country of origin
- Test reports from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory where needed
Importers submit these through the KenTrade National Single Window. Customs entries then go through KRA’s iCMS system, usually handled by a licensed clearing agent.
What happens without a CoC
Goods without a valid CoC go through KEBS destination inspection at the port. The importer pays an inspection fee equal to 0.6% of the approved customs value and signs a bond for the same amount in favour of KEBS. Goods that fail inspection abroad receive a Non-Conformity Report (NCR). Those goods cannot enter Kenya and cannot be presented to a different PVoC contractor.
KEBS’s previous general-goods contracts expired on 8 February 2026, and shipments without a CoC were sent to destination inspection while new contractors were procured. KEBS has since issued PVoC Manual version 15. Check KEBS’s list of appointed contractors for your exporting country before booking an inspection.
How to cut KEBS PVoC delays
- Buy the relevant Kenya Standard from KEBS and send it to your supplier.
- Have the goods tested at an accredited lab before shipping.
- If you ship often, register the products (Route B), or check whether your supplier holds the KEBS Diamond Mark (see our KEBS certification cost guide).
- For vehicles, check the 8-year rule before you buy.
- Estimate your full landed cost with our import duty calculator.
Source: KEBS PVoC Manual v15.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the KEBS PVoC fee?
0.60% of FOB value under Route A, 0.55% under Route B and 0.50% under Route C, with a minimum of USD 300 and a maximum of USD 3,500. Testing and re-inspection cost extra.
What if my goods arrive without a CoC?
They go through destination inspection, and you pay 0.6% of the approved customs value and sign a bond for the same amount.
How long is PVoC product registration valid?
One year under Route B. A Route C licence lasts three years or for the length of the contract.
Which goods must use Route A?
Goods such as bulk petroleum, bulk cereals, edible oils, fertiliser, sugar, LPG, fresh dairy and produce, and used goods.
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