Tourists Coming To Kenya Will Be Required To Provide IMEI Numbers For Their Mobile Phones, KRA Says

All passengers entering Kenya starting January 1, 2025, will be required to declare and register their mobile devices’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers at the port of entry.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that each mobile device intended for use in the country must be listed, along with its IMEI number, on the F88 passenger declaration form.

The new measure, implemented in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), seeks to improve the monitoring of imported devices and ensure tax compliance.

According to KRA, both tourists and returning residents must declare any mobile devices they plan to use within Kenya’s borders, making the F88 declaration a necessary step upon entry.

“Passengers entering the territory of Kenya will declare the details and the respective IMEI numbers for their mobile devices intended for use, during the stay in the country at the Port of entry on the F88 passenger declaration form,” KRA said in a notice.

Additionally, all Importers of Mobile Devices will be required to submit detailed import entries for all mobile devices with accurate quantities, proper model descriptions/specifications, and their respective IMEI numbers in the Customs system.

The Authority added that device assemblers and manufacturers must register on the Customs portal and submit a report of all devices assembled for the local market and their respective IMEI numbers.

Privacy concerns

While the directive has raised concerns about privacy issues, the CA emphasised the importance of the initiative, noting that it is “mandatory for the registration of devices in the National Master Database on Tax-Compliant Devices.”

The authority reiterated that the database would help verify each device’s tax compliance status, contributing to a secure and regulated telecommunications environment within Kenya.

Mobile network operators will be required to connect devices only after verifying their compliance through a whitelist database maintained by the CA.

“The authority will provide means by which tax compliance status of mobile devices can be verified before purchase by retailers or end-users,” the CA added.

The Authority warned that devices not meeting these requirements will be subject to restrictions, including grey-listing, which provides time for compliance, or blacklisting if compliance is not achieved.

“The new requirement will only apply to all devices imported or assembled in the country from November 1, 2024. All existing devices that will be on the mobile networks by October 31, 2024, will not be affected. This initiative aims to ensure the integrity and tax compliance of mobile devices within Kenya,” the authority clarified.

KRA said additional guidance on the registration process for incoming travellers and further details on compliance steps will be communicated before the January 2025 enforcement date.

“The Public is therefore notified of this requirement, which will be implemented effective January 1, 2025. Specific guidelines on the system process and how to capture the devices and IMEI numbers for different users will be shared in due course,” KRA said.