A Plant Import Permit (PIP) is required by any person or business intending to bring plants, plant products, seeds, or regulated articles (including soil and biological control agents) into Kenya. The permit is issued by KEPHIS under the Plant Protection Act (Cap 324) and must be obtained before shipment from the country of origin, regardless of whether the importation is for commercial, research, personal gift, or experimental purposes.
Applications are processed through the Plant Import and Quarantine Regulatory System (PIQRS) and the Automated Support System for the Importation of Phytosanitary Consignments (ASSIP), both web-based systems managed by KEPHIS.
Plant Import Permit Fees
| Fee Component | Amount (KES) |
|---|---|
| Plant Import Permit (per consignment) | 600 |
| Inspection Fee (per kg of produce) | KES 0.50 (minimum KES 100) |
| Container Inspection — 20-ft | 500 |
| Container Inspection — 40-ft | 1,000 |
| Aircraft Inspection — large aircraft | 3,000 |
| Vessel Inspection — small (under 10,000 MT) | 1,000 |
| Vessel Inspection — large (over 10,000 MT) | 5,000 |
Key Requirements
All plant consignments arriving in Kenya must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. Seeds additionally require an International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) certificate. The original permit must be sent to the plant health authorities in the country of origin before shipment. Consignments that fail to meet Kenya’s import requirements may be destroyed or returned at the importer’s cost.
Contact: KEPHIS, Off Waiyaki Way, Loresho, Nairobi | kephis.go.ke | Tel: 0722 206 986
