By Antynet Ford
The government has announced duty-free importation of dates during the holy month of Ramadhan.
In an internal memo seen by the corporatewatch.co.ke dated January 29, 2024, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) showed that dates will be considered for exemption of tax between March 1, 2024, and April 20, 2024.
“The dates shall be for use during the holy month of Ramadan as will be officially announced by the chief Kadhi and the government.” The Memo read in part.
The national revenue collector noted that the tax exemption follows a letter by the National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u on January 26, 2024, requesting the same.
The CS noted that the move will be a gesture of goodwill to the Muslim community.
KRA directed that importers and clearing agents of the dates apply on ICMS for an exemption processing code that will exempt thereby 100 per cent import duties and all other taxes, fees, and levies on the dates consignment.
“The consignment shall be subjected to scanning for risk management.” The statement by KRA stated.
Records indicating the date of importation, qualities and duties, taxes, fees, and levies exempted will then be submitted to the National Treasury principal secretary (PS).
“The duty-free importation of dates shall expire on April 20, 2024.”
However, KRA stated that in the event the dates are sold or otherwise not distributed as intended, appropriate taxes shall become due and payable.
