Phones, Baby Diaper Importers Affected As Kenya Announces New Import Duty Rates
Kenyans may witness adjustments in the cost of various imported products after the East African Community (EAC) approved a series of country-specific import tariff measures.
The mandate applies to mobile phones, rice, baby diapers, secondhand clothing, and lithium batteries.
The revisions, published in the most recent EAC Gazette on June 30, 2026, authorised measures on import duty rates under the Common External Tariff (CET), as well as tax remission on specified raw commodities and industrial inputs for Partner States.
Among the most prominent changes is Kenya’s decision to impose a 25% import charge on mobile phones for one year, replacing the previous Common External Tariff rate of 0%.
The move could influence the cost of importing handsets into the country, although the final retail prices will depend on importers, distributors and prevailing market conditions.
The gazette also introduces changes affecting parents after Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, opted to increase the import duty on baby diapers from the Common External Tariff rate of 25 per cent to 35 per cent for one year.
With the duty increasing from 25 per cent to 35 per cent for one year, parents and caregivers could face higher prices for imported diaper brands.
Closing the 2026/27 budget cycle.
We now have the June 30th, 20226 East African Community Gazette on approved measures for import duty rates in the Common External Tariff as well as duty remission on raw materials & inputs.
Key observations:
· On Mitumba (worn items of… pic.twitter.com/6c6yLa83gR— Julians Amboko (@AmbokoJH) July 2, 2026
However, the exact increase will depend on manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
Rice imports have also been affected, with Kenya opting to reduce the applicable duty from the Common External Tariff rate of 75 per cent or USD345 (about Ksh44,594) per metric tonne, whichever is higher, to 35 per cent or USD200 (about Ksh25,852) per metric tonne, for the next year.
For shoppers who rely on second-hand clothing, commonly known as mitumba, Kenya retained its existing import regime by applying a duty rate of 35 per cent or USD0.20 (about Ksh26) per kilogram, whichever is higher, instead of adopting the higher regional benchmark of 35 per cent or USD0.40 (about Ksh52) per kilogram.
In a move expected to benefit the clean energy sector, Kenya also secured approval to apply a zero per cent import duty on lithium batteries for one year after staying the Common External Tariff rate of 25 per cent.
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The measure could lower import costs for batteries used in solar systems, energy storage and backup power solutions.
The announcement further grants Kenya a zero per cent duty remission on raw materials used in the manufacture of animal feeds for one year, a measure aimed at lowering production costs for local manufacturers and supporting the livestock sector.
The approved measures are part of a framework under the EAC Common External Tariff that allows Partner States to temporarily depart from standard regional duty rates after obtaining approval from the EAC Council of Ministers.
Such stays are often granted to protect local industries, address supply shortages or respond to prevailing economic conditions.
The latest changes also reveal varying approaches across the region.
While Kenya introduced a 25 per cent duty on imported mobile phones, Uganda opted for a lower rate of 10 per cent, while Rwanda maintained a zero per cent duty on electric and hybrid vehicles as well as electric motorcycles for another year.
Phones, Baby Diaper Importers Affected As Kenya Announces New Import Duty Rates
