Travellers entering Kenya will be required to declare details of their mobile phones and other devices at points of entry, the Kenya Revenue Authority has said.
- The taxman says the new move will enhance integrity and tax compliance of mobile devices and will become effective at the beginning of 2025.
- All importers of mobile devices will also be required to submit detailed import entries for all mobile devices with accurate quantities, proper model descriptions/specifications, and their respective IMEI numbers in the customs system.
- Late last month, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) directed mobile networks to connect only to those devices whose tax compliance status has been verified from a database provided by CA.
“The public is therefore noted of this requirement, which will be implemented effective 1st January, 2025. Specific guidelines on the system process and how to capture the devices and the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for different users will be shared in due course,” said KRA’s Commissioner Customs and Border Control.
Device Assemblers will have to register on the customs portal and submit a report of all devices assembled for the local market and their respective IMEI numbers under the new mode of operation.
The Graylists
“The authority will provide means by which tax compliance status of mobile devices can be verified before purchase by retailers or end-users,” said CA in a statement.
Mobile phones that will not have their IMEI numbers uploaded for tax compliance will be greylisted by the CA. The authority will provide a window of opportunity for their distributors to regularize their status, after which when it elapses, the devices shall be blacklisted.
“The new requirement will only apply to all devices imported or assembled in the country from November 1, 2024. All existing devices that will be on the mobile networks by October 31, 2024, will not be affected,” the authority further stated.
