Kenya Change in Foreign Trade Regulations

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) requires a payment of IDF, which is a pre-determined percentage of the customs value of the goods imported into the country.  The RDL was established to finance the construction and operation of the Standard Gauge Railway, the railway line connecting the port of Mombasa to Nairobi.

The IDF rate was increased from 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent and the RDL from 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent in 2019, with exemptions applicable for raw materials and intermediate products imported by approved manufacturers and inputs for the construction of houses under an affordable housing scheme. 

The 2023 Finance Bill reduced the IDF fee from 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent and the RDL from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent which will benefit all U.S. exporters to Kenya.  

For more Information, please contact Commercial Assistant: Judy.Magondu@trade.gov