Kenya importation protocols for used textiles and shoes

When shipping used textiles and used shoes into Kenya, specific protocols are needed to meet the best practices and apply to related Kenya Standard KS EAS 365:2019. These actions are meant to secure the health and safety of sellers, importers, wholesalers and buyers, particularly in COVID-19 times.

For this reason, the Kenya Bureau Of Standards (KEBS) has requested that all dealers and buyers of used shoes and textiles should observe the following protocols:

General Requirements

1. All used textiles and used shoes intended for importation into Kenya shall be subjected to physical examination and certification under the Pre–export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) requirements. Suppliers of used textiles and used shoes shall notify in writing to PVoC service providers contracted by KEBS of their intention to export used textiles or used shoes. 

• The notification shall contain the following information as a minimum:
  • Name, physical and email address of the supplier.
  • Name, physical and email address of the importer.
  • Name, physical and email address of the fumigation service provider.
  • Declaration of the country of origin of the goods.
  • Type of the goods in the consignment (used textiles or used shoes).

Used clothing and shoes must be cleaned and fumigated before baling. They shall be accompanied by a fumigation or treatment certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of supply.

2. Examination and certification shall entail inspection of supplier’s sorting and baling premises, verification of fumigation and inspection of packaged shipments by the PVoC service provider.

3. Each consignment must be packed in clear transparent, and waterproof materials. 

4. Each shipment shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the PVoC service provider responsible for inspecting the shipment. 

5. Each package of used textiles or used shoes sold in Kenya shall have a mass in Kilograms that complies with the requirement of the respective standard.

6. Importation of used textiles and shoes will be undertaken through designated ports of entry. 

7. Importers of used textiles and shoes must register with Kenya Bureau Standards. 

In the importation process, a separate requirement needed for used textiles and used shoes to heighten the protection and safety of traders and users. Here are the specified requirements:

Specific requirements for used textile

1. Each bale shall contain a single category of garments.

2. Each bale shall be legibly and indelibly labelled as follows: 

a.) Mass of the bale in kilograms;
b.) Category of garments contained in the bale- for example, men's shirts, men's jackets, men's trousers, women's dresses, women's blouses, boys' shirts; etc
c.) Name, physical and email address of the supplier;
d.) Name, physical and email address of the importer or consignee; and
e.) Country of origin

3. The supplier shall make a self-declaration confirming that a shipment is free from items prohibited by KS EAS 356:2019: Used Textiles - Requirements for Inspection and Acceptance of Used Textile Products. For the avoidance of doubt, prohibited items include: 

a.) Used nightwear including pyjamas, nightdresses and nightgowns ;
b.) hospital wear
c.) Used bath towels;
d.) Used undergarments including women briefs, men’s briefs, brassieres, camisoles, socks, stockings and underwear

Specific requirements for used shoes

1. Each bale shall contain a single type of shoes 

2. Each bale shall have a label which shall specify: 

a.) Mass of the bale in kilograms;
b.) Type of footwear;
c.) Category of users (Children or Adults);
d.) Name, physical and email address of importer or consignee
e.) Name, physical and email address of the supplier; and,
f.) Country of origin.

3. The supplier shall make a self-declaration confirming that a shipment is free from items prohibited by KS 1533:1999 Code of Practice for Inspection and Acceptance Criteria for Used Foot Wear. For the avoidance of doubt, prohibited items include used sandals, used slippers and used indoor footwear. 

Cotecna is an approved and trusted body by the Kenyan Government when exporting your goods in the country. We are appointed to issue a Certificate of Conformity (COC) or Certificate of Inspection (COI) with exporting regulated products to Kenya. Our mandate consists of undertaking conformity assessment activities in the country of origin for products imported into the Republic of Kenya. It is important to note that any shipment that arrives without a COC or a COI will be prohibited from entering the country.

Please contact us if you need assistance regarding the importation process of your used textiles or shoes or if you need any further information.