Every product crossing a Kenyan border is taxed according to its HS classification - a ten-digit code that determines the duty rate, VAT treatment and whether additional levies like the Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy apply. Get the code wrong in one direction and you overpay duty for years; get it wrong the other way and you face penalties, back-duty demands and delays.
Brandmax tariff advisory identifies the correct classification for your products before they ship. We work from technical descriptions, catalogues and samples of previous entries, and we advise on the duty exposure each classification implies - so you can price landed cost correctly before you commit to a purchase order.
Where classification is genuinely ambiguous, we help you pursue the structured routes: documented positions, pre-entry advice and engagement with KRA through the proper channels rather than arguments at the counter after the fact.
What is included
- HS code identification and confirmation per product
- Duty, VAT and levy exposure estimates
- Landed-cost analysis by product or shipment
- Review of past entries for over- or under-payment
- Support on classification disputes with KRA
- Classification files for recurring product ranges
How it works
Describe the goods
Send product descriptions, specifications, catalogues or samples - the more technical detail, the sharper the classification.
We research the code
We identify the correct HS heading and confirm the applicable duty, VAT and levies.
You get a position
A documented classification position you can use on every entry, with the duty exposure explained.
Entries stay consistent
The agreed codes are used on your declarations going forward, keeping entries consistent and defensible.
Frequently asked questions
What duty rate will my goods attract?
Kenya applies the EAC Common External Tariff - most goods fall in the 0%, 10%, 25% or 35% bands, plus VAT and small levies. The exact rate depends entirely on classification, which is what we determine.
Can wrong classification be fixed retrospectively?
Sometimes - overpaid duty can in some cases be claimed back, and recurring entries can be corrected going forward. We review your history and advise what is recoverable.
What if customs disagrees with my code?
We support you through the formal channels - written positions, meetings and, where available, advance rulings - rather than informal negotiation at the terminal.