Tourists Can Enter Kenya Without Declaring Phones

(Nairobi) – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has recently clarified that tourists entering the country will not be required to declare the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of their mobile devices upon arrival. This decision, aimed at providing a smoother entry experience for tourists, underscores Kenya’s commitment to remaining accessible as a prominent tourism and business hub in East Africa.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano confirmed the exemption in a statement, emphasizing Kenya’s strategic position as a gateway to East Africa. She highlighted that by easing entry processes, Kenya seeks to strengthen its appeal to international visitors while also encouraging smooth transitions at points of entry. Miano assured that authorities are focused on maintaining a welcoming experience for all visitors to Kenya.

This exemption follows KRA’s recent announcement on November 6, introducing a new directive set to take effect on January 1, 2025, which requires travelers entering Kenya to declare the IMEI numbers of their mobile devices. The directive aims to bolster tax compliance and enhance transparency within Kenya’s mobile device market. However, this requirement will primarily apply to other international passengers and not to tourists, for whom the exemption has been put in place.

The new regulation mandates that all mobile device importers and assemblers submit detailed entries on devices entering the Kenyan market. These entries will include model descriptions, quantities, and IMEI numbers for each device, all to be submitted through KRA’s Customs portal. Importers will also need to secure permits from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to ensure regulatory compliance.

KRA has advised that importers and relevant stakeholders familiarize themselves with these new requirements to ensure seamless processing and avoid any disruptions in device importation.