The first Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement took place on 1 March 2023. The UK was represented by officials from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Department of Business and Trade and HM Revenue and Customs. Kenya was represented by officials from Kenya’s Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Kenya Revenue Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards.

The UK presented on its customs valuation processes in accordance with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards in this area. The parties celebrated the Kenya Revenue Authority’s collaboration with TradeMark Africa on a UK-funded project, which seeks to improve customs valuation in Kenya to better facilitate international trade.

The parties also discussed broader customs processes, including updates on their respective tariff appeals processes, as well as projects to explore moving physical checks away from the border to promote secure and frictionless trade.

Kenya presented an update on its new destination inspection process for UK traders.

Noting the Committee’s rules of origin mandate, the UK presented on the Economic Partnership Agreement’s cumulation provisions and the UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme. The UK highlighted how Kenya could benefit from flexible rules of origin under both arrangements.

The UK shared details on an upcoming intellectual property webinar, and an anti-counterfeiting workshop that it is organising with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority.

The parties also discussed the latest position regarding the implementation of EPA tariffs at the border and the proposals to prohibit the import of used vehicles by Kenya.

The parties noted plans to prepare for a UK-Kenya EPA Council in the near future.

The UK welcomed the very constructive discussions at this first Special Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation.