The government has announced that business owners in the export business in the country will now be able to receive assistance in applying for the Certificate of Origin (COO).
In an official announcement dated Thursday, November 28, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) has informed exporters that it will set up a service desk and offer the services to its members and non-members at a fee of Ksh200.
“As part of our commitment to supporting exporters, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is mandated to issue Ordinary/Non-Preferential Certificates of Origin (COO) for goods originating from Kenya.”
“To enhance accessibility, our COO Service Desk assists with issuing COOs to both KNCCI members and non-members at a fee of Ksh200,” part of the notice read.
A photo of Kenyan vegetables being loaded onto a cargo plane for export.
Photo
Logistics Update Africa
A certificate of origin is an important document that indicates the country where the exported goods were manufactured or obtained.
The service desk is aimed at facilitating faster and easier certification of origin processing.
It is also aimed at supporting Kenyan businesses and exporters to succeed in the global market.
Apart from improving competition with the services, the government also aims to reduce the cost by avoiding inflated fees charged by intermediaries.
With these new services, exporters get personalised assistance navigating exporters’ regulations and documentation.
Business owners have been advised to KNCCI Head Office, located at Telkom Plaza, 2nd Floor, Ralph Bunche Road, next to CITAM Valley Road, Nairobi to access the services from December 1, 2024.
When exporting goods by air or sea, importers often need a certificate of origin (COO). This important document tells customs officials where the goods were made or obtained.
A COO is presented to customs authorities in the importing country to prove the product’s eligibility for entry.
It also helps establish whether the goods qualify for preferential treatment under any trade agreements between the countries of origin and import.
Trade CS Salim Mvurya appears before the Senate Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources, on September 21, 2023.
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Parliament of Kenya
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