Kenya PVoC Program – Pre-Export Verification of Conformity

To enhance border control and reinforce product quality across its supply chain, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) operates the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Program for goods destined for Kenya. The program forms a key pillar of Kenya’s quality infrastructure and is designed to ensure that imported products meet applicable Kenyan standards, technical specifications, and safety requirements before they are shipped.

The PVoC framework requires exporters of regulated products to undergo pre-shipment conformity checks, including product inspection, testing, and documentation review, carried out in the country of export. Only shipments that successfully meet these requirements are issued a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) by a KEBS-appointed conformity assessment body, such as TÜV Rheinland.

Certain high-risk shipments destined for Kenya such as food products, cosmetics, toys, electrical and electronic items, as well as fertilizers and soil conditioners may require a Free Sale Certificate (FSC) issued by the country of export or origin. A Free Sale Certificate issued by an authorized agency demonstrating that the product is freely sold and compliant with the applicable regulatory requirements in the country of origin/export.

By verifying compliance at source, the program minimizes non-compliance risks at the border, supports effective market surveillance, and enables faster and more predictable customs clearance upon arrival in Kenya. This approach not only protects consumers but also provides exporters with a clear, structured pathway for accessing the Kenyan market with confidence.

• Application form
• Invoice / Pro-forma invoice
• Packing list
• Test Report
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)