OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (OGAs) INVOLVED IN IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF GOODS IN KENYA
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Other Government Agencies (OGA) is an agency established by the executive or legislative branches of the government responsible for oversight and administration of a specific government function.
In the case of Import or export of good these bodies are mandated to make sure that the laid down rules and regulations are followed to the letter and if the importer or exporter flaunts the stipulated rules, they take necessary actions.
These bodies include:
1.Kenya Bureau of Standards(KEBS)
KEBS has remained the premier government agency for the provision of Standards, Metrology and Conformity Assessment (SMCA).
The functions of KEBS as mandated by the Standards Act, Chapter 496 of the Laws of Kenya are:
(a) To promote standardization in industries and commerce;
(b) To make arrangements or provide facilities for the testing and calibration of precision instruments, gauges and scientific apparatus, for the determination of their degree of accuracy by comparison with standards approved by the ministry on the recommendation of the Council and for the issue of certificates in regard thereto.
(c) To make arrangements or provide facilities for the examination and testing of commodities and any material or substance and the manner in which they may be manufactured, produced, processed or treated.
(d) To control in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the use of standardization marks and distinctive mark.
(e) To encourage or undertake educational work in connection with standardization.
(f) To assist the Government or any local authority or other public body or any other person in the preparation and framing of any specifications or codes of practice;
(g) To provide for co-operation with the Government, representatives of any industry, any local authority, other public body or any other person with a view to securing the adoption and practical application of standards.
(h) To provide for the testing at the request of the Ministry and on behalf of the Government on the locally manufactured and imported commodities with a view of determining whether such commodities comply with the provisions of this Act or any other law dealing with standards of quality or description.
2. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
KEPHIS is a government parastatal whose responsibility is to assure the quality of agricultural inputs and produce to prevent adverse impact on the economy, the environment and human health.
KEPHIS was formed by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service Act 2012 and its mission is to provide a science-based regulatory service by assuring plant health, quality of agricultural inputs and produce for food security, globally competitive agricultural products and sustainable development.
The Strategic Objectives are:
? To protect plants from pests, weeds and invasive species.
? To facilitate review and strengthening of the policies, legal and regulatory framework, so that it is in tandem with both local and international agricultural sector emerging issues.
? To contribute towards improved levels of agricultural productivity.
? To support compliance to market requirements.
? To build adequate technical and infrastructural capacity to facilitate efficient and effective delivery of the KEPHIS mandate.
? To mobilize adequate financial resources and ensure optimal allocation and utilization to enable full implementation of planned programmers and activities.
? To enhance synergies through information and resource sharing with stakeholders and partners.
? To enhance the visibility and corporate image of KEPHIS.
3.Port Health Services(PHS)
PHS plays an important role in trade facilitation through inspection of goods of public health importance at the Ports of Entry.
They utilize the provisions of the system to ensure that processes leading to certification of goods at Points of Entry such as inspection, verification, sampling and laboratory analysis are fast tracked, to ensure that all applications are processed electronically and completed.
4. Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA)
The Authority is the successor of former regulatory institutions in the sector that were merged into Directorates under the Authority, with the commencement of Crops Act, 2013 on 1st August 2014, including Coffee Board of Kenya, Kenya Sugar Board, Tea Board of Kenya, Coconut Development Authority, Cotton Development Authority, Sisal Board of Kenya, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya, Horticultural Crops Development Authority.
The Directorates:
? Coffee Directorate
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? Sugar Directorate
? Horticultural Crops Directorate
? Fiber Crops Directorate
? Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate
? Miraa, Pyrethrum and Industrial Crops Directorate
? Food Directorate
Agriculture and Food Authority – Integrated Management Information System (AFA IMIS)
AFA IMIS System is a project by AFA for the automation of the AFA’s business process.
The role of the system is to enable traders importing and exporting crops acquire regulatory documents from remote locations and at their convenience without having to visit the agency.
The system has integrated the 7 directorates under AFA and will facilitate the achievement of efficiency gains and as well integrate to the Kentrade - Trade Facilitation Portal (TFP), Mobile Payment Platform, ERP and other applications as may be appropriate to provide an online platform for stakeholder interaction with AFA.
5.The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
EPRA is established as the successor to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) under the Energy Act, 2019 with an expanded mandate of inter alia regulation of upstream petroleum and coal. It is tasked to promote competition, encourage market development, ensure customer choice and penalize abuse of market power in the electricity industry.
One of the functions of the Authority as provided in Section 10 of the Energy Act 2019 is, issuance of licenses for Importation of petroleum products, solar batteries, refrigerators and freezers with compressors and air conditioners among others.
6. Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)
PPB is a body which regulates the manufacture and sale of drugs and poisons within the country.
According to a notice by KEBS and PPB, the importers of medical devices, food supplements, medical cosmetics, herbal products must obtain Certificates of Conformity (CoC) for their cargo before applying for Import Permits from Pharmacy and Poisons Board through the Kenya National Single Window Electronic (Kentrade).
7.Anti Counterfeit Authority(ACA)
ACA is a Government Agency to fight trade in counterfeit goods and promote protection of intellectual property rights in Kenya. It was established by an act of parliament Anti-Counterfeit Act 2008 and operationalized in 2010.
? Which are the most counterfeited Goods?
Goods that are commonly counterfeited include electronics, motor-vehicle spare parts, stationeries, food and beverages, LPG, movies and music DVD’s, and petroleum products, Luxury Goods and Fashion Apparels, Phones and Computer Accessories etc. Counterfeits affects every brand that is fast moving and can easily result to profits.
? Where do counterfeit goods come from?
Far East Countries including South East Asia and China accounting for more than 80% of the number of goods seized overall. Where Kenyans have the capacity, we got local sources of counterfeits like alcoholic beverages and foodstuffs.
8.Communication Authority of Kenya(CA)
CA is responsible for facilitating the development of the information and communications sectors including; broadcasting, cybersecurity, multimedia, telecommunications, electronic commerce, postal and courier services.
When importing or exporting any telecommunication devices, one need to apply for a certificate from CA to show that the items being traded have met the required standards. Some of these devices include; mobile phones, aerials, cctv cameras among others.
In conclusion, when importing or exporting your shipment and it requires any of the OGA permit, first you release with those departments to avoid delays in clearance process then KRA will release your shipment in time.
Having a customs clearing agent that is well informed on all agencies involved in your shipping process is actually a big plus and we are your best bet on this!
Let us guide you through your logistics needs today.
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