Seed import compliance in Kenya
Authorities reviewed 2026-10-23
Short answer
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) implements both the Plant Protection Act (Cap 324) and the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326), so plant-health import controls and seed rules sit with one regulator.
Specific permit forms and fees are published by KEPHIS and can change; confirm them with KEPHIS for each consignment.
Responsible authorities and official sources
- KEPHIS — Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Implements the Plant Protection Act Cap 324 and the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act Cap 326 under the KEPHIS Act No. 54 of 2012.
Documents to prepare
- Confirm KEPHIS import conditions (phytosanitary and seed requirements) for the crop and origin before shipping.
- Confirm whether the variety must be registered or officially listed in Kenya for commercial sale.
- Phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country's plant-protection organisation.
- Seed lot label and test data (germination, purity) matching the contract.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm the current requirement with the authority for each crop, origin and shipment.
Next steps
- Start a seed sourcing request (qualified requests from USD 250,000)
- Seed price calculator (historical import unit values by HS code, not supplier prices)
- Seed import market map (UN Comtrade HS 1209 and HS 120991 imports by country, 2024)
- Seed, greenhouse and crop output journeys