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Kenyan legislation

The Dairy Industry (Imports and Exports) Regulations

Edition: 2022-12-31 · In force

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1. Citation

These Regulations may be cited as the Dairy Industry (Imports and Exports) Regulations.

2. Interpretation

In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—"Act" means the Dairy Industry Act (Cap 336);"Cabinet Secretary" means the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for matters relating to dairy industry;"dairy regulatory permit" means a permit issued by the Board under the relevant Regulations;"designated port" means the port by which the importer or exporter has indicated as the port of entry or exit for import or export of dairy produce;"export permit" means a permit issued under regulation 6;"import permit" means a permit issued under regulation 6;"relevant standards" mean the standards for the quality of the dairy produce, product or equipment used in the dairy industry, determined by the Kenya Bureau of Standards or a regional or international convention or protocol."sanitary standards" means relevant standards and practices that established to protect food meant for human consumption from contamination.

3. Application

These Regulations shall apply in respect to imports and exports of dairy produce.

4. Objects of the Regulations

The objects of these Regulation are to—
(a)provide the procedure for importing or exporting dairy produce;
(b)ensure that dairy produce imports and exports meet the relevant standards;
(c)to protect the Kenyan dairy industry against unfair trade practices or competition and dumping;
(d)support government effort to guarantee food security and self-sufficiency.

5. Requirements for import and export

A person who wishes to import or export dairy produce shall—
(a)ensure that the import or export meets the requirements of the relevant Standard;
(b)ensure that the dairy produce is imported or exported through a designated port;
(c)be a registered dairy business operator; and
(d)have a valid dairy regulatory permit.

6. Import and export permit

(1)A person shall not import or export dairy produce without a valid permit issued by the Board.
(2)An application for an import permit for dairy produce shall be made to the Board by filling in and submitting Form A in the Schedule, and the applicant shall pay the fee set out in Form C of the Schedule.
(3)An application for an export permit for dairy produce shall be by filling in and submitting Form B in the Schedule, and the applicant shall pay the fee set out in Form C of the Schedule.
(4)The Board shall, upon receipt of an application consider it and communicate written decision to the applicant within 30 days, either granting the permit or declining to grant the permit.
(5)The import permit and export permit shall be in Form D and Form E respectively, in the Schedule

7. Conditions for grant of permit

(1)The Board shall, before issuing an import or export permit under regulation 6, consider the following factors—
(a)The need to prevent dumping of dairy produce or product into the country;
(b)Whether there is deficit or surplus of the dairy produce in the Kenyan market;
(c)risk involved in the importation or exportation of the dairy product;
(d)any other relevant factor that the Board may think necessary to consider.
(2)The Board may not issue an import permit unless the applicant obtains a certificate from the Directorate for the time being in charge of Veterinary Services that there is no objection to the proposed import.
(3)That the milk to be exported meets the sanitary standards of the importing country.
(4)Where a person has complied with all the import or export requirements set out under these Regulations, the Board shall issue an import clearance certificate in Form F, or an export clearance certificate in Form G, in the Schedule.

8. Compliance with relevant standards

An importer or exporter of dairy produce, equipment, materials or additives shall, with respect to the dairy produce, Import and export permit Conditions for grant of permit Compliance with relevant standards equipment, materials or additives, comply with the requirements of the relevant standards.

9. Import levy & penalty for default

(1)A person who imports dairy produce shall, before the release of the import to him or her, pay to the Board an import levy equivalent to ten per cent of the value of the import determined using the cost, insurance and freight basis.
(2)A person who fails to pay import levy under regulation 8 shall, in addition to the levy, be liable to pay a penalty equivalent to 25% of the assessed levy for every month that the default continues.

10. Disclosure on Dairy produce, materials, etc.

A compliance officer may at any time require a person in possession of dairy produce, materials, additives or dairy equipment, to provide details of—
(a)the source or destination thereof;
(b)the quantity and value; and
(c)the package, batch numbers and the date of delivery, and
(d)the person so required shall provide the details either orally or in writing as the officer may require.

11. Seizure and destruction of irregular imports

(1)A compliance officer may at any time seize any imported dairy produce, equipment, material or additives, which he has received credible information to the effect that it has been used or is about to be used in contravention of these regulations or any of the provisions of the Act.
(2)A compliance officer who carries out seizure of imported dairy produce, material, additives or dairy equipment, the compliance officer shall issue seizure notice or receipt in accordance with the relevant Regulations.
(3)The compliance officer shall, upon seizure or confiscation under this regulation, lodge a complaint on behalf of the Board at the nearest police station for possible criminal prosecution under these Regulations or any other legislation.
(4)The criminal proceedings that may be instituted and the manner of dealing with the seized or confiscated dairy produce, equipment, material or additives, shall be in accordance with the provisions of this regulation or any other relevant legislation.
(5)Despite paragraph (4) any destruction pursuant to this regulation which is likely to endanger the environment or public health shall only be carried out in compliance with any other written laws and shall be carried out at the expense of the owner or where the owner cannot be ascertained, at the expense of the person from whom confiscation is effected.
(6)Where civil proceedings are commenced in respect to the seized or confiscated dairy produce, equipment, material or additives and a court issues restraining or other orders, the seized or confiscated dairy produce, equipment, material or additives shall be dealt with in Disclosure on Dairy produce, materials, etc Seizure and destruction of irregular imports accordance with the orders or directions of the court.

12. Transit Permit

(1)No person may convey by way of transit through Kenya Transit Permit any dairy produce unless the person has a valid transit permit issued by the Board.
(2)An application for a transit permit referred to in subregulation 1 shall be made in Form H of the Schedule.
(3)Any dairy produce in respect of which a transit permit referred to in paragraph (1) has been issued may only—
(a)be introduced into the country through the port of entry specified in the permit;
(b)transit the country within a period specified in such permit;
(c)exit the country through the specified port of exit.
(4)A transit permit shall be in Form I set out in the Schedule.

13. Offences and penalties

Any person who—
(a)imports, exports or attempts to import or export any dairy produce without a valid permit issued by the Board;
(b)fails to comply with a notice issued under regulation 11;
(c)supplies any information or particulars required to be made or disclosed under these regulations which is or are in any respect incorrect, inaccurate or misleading;
(d)imports dairy produce, dairy equipment, materials or additives that do not meet the relevant standard,
commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding ten thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

14. Forfeiture and destruction

Despite the provisions of regulation 13, the court may order forfeiture to the Board or the destruction of the illegally imported dairy produce material, equipment, additives or equipment.

15. Revocation of Legal Notice number 103 of 2004 Sub Leg

The Dairy Industry (Imports and Exports) Regulations are hereby revoked.
Source: Kenya Law · Imported 4 October 2026