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Exporting · All modes

Obtain an EAC Certificate of Origin

The East African Community (EAC) Certificate of Origin certifies that goods meet the common market's rules of origin, allowing preferential (duty-free) treatment on trade between member states. It is issued by the designated authority in each member state, usually the national chamber of commerce or the revenue authority.

Sheet freshness
Up to date Validated on
Next review
Data status
Indicative To be verified

Who it is for

Exporters established in an EAC member state

Before you start

  • Be registered as a trading business in the exporting member state
  • Be able to demonstrate EAC origin of the goods under the Common Market Protocol

Steps

3 steps, in order

  1. Step 1 : Assemble the file proving origin

    Channel
    At the counter
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    See details

    Gather the commercial invoice, packing list and, depending on the product, the proof of processing or local value addition required by the EAC rules of origin.

    Cost : No fee at this stage

  2. Step 2 : File the application with the designated authority

    Institution
    Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade)
    Channel
    Online
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    See details

    In Kenya the application is filed online via KRA/KenTrade; in other member states it is filed with the national chamber of commerce. The exact point of entry varies by member state and should be verified locally.

    Cost : Varies by member state, not confirmed here

    Complete this step online (opens in a new tab)

  3. Step 3 : Verification and issuance of the certificate

    Institution
    Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade)
    Channel
    At the counter
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    Not communicated

    The authority checks the documents and issues the EAC Certificate of Origin, which must accompany the goods to the entry border post in the importing member state.

Process diagram

Download the BPMN file

Each lane is an institution. Steps read from left to right, in order.

Process steps

  1. Assemble the file proving origin Operator · At the counter
  2. File the application with the designated authority KenTrade · Online
  3. Verification and issuance of the certificate KenTrade · At the counter

  • Clear goods under the Single Customs Territory (SCT)

    The EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) allows goods destined for a landlocked member state to be cleared and have duty assessed once, at the first point of entry into the region (port or airport). Declaration is largely done against the declared final destination, with physical checks carried out at the port of entry.

    Importing

  • Transit goods via the Northern Corridor

    The Northern Corridor links the Port of Mombasa in Kenya to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and eastern DR Congo. Transit is coordinated by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) and follows the EAC customs transit regime, with electronic cargo tracking.

    Transit

Sources and versions

Sources 2
  1. 01

    EAC trade regime, official pages (new tab), EAC Secretariat

    Accessed on

  2. 02

    KenTrade, Kenya's trade facilitation portal (new tab), KenTrade

    Accessed on

This sheet is based on the public sources cited. It does not replace the official texts or the decisions of the competent administrations.