To import tiles to Kenya from India, goods covered by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) must arrive with a Certificate of Conformity issued in India under the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme. Goods without one face destination inspection and extra cost.
KEBS approved tiles, in the import sense, means tiles that have passed this route for the shipment. It is not a brand label. Always ask the PVoC partner whether your tile type is covered, because the regulated product list can change.
How does PVoC work in practice?
KEBS appoints partner companies to carry out the checks in the exporting country. KEBS started new three-year PVoC contracts with its partners on 19 February 2026, and the partner serving India depends on KEBS's allocation, so check the KEBS PVoC page for the current list.
The checks are usually a documentary review, sampling and testing in an accredited laboratory, and a physical inspection before shipment. The result is a Certificate of Conformity for each consignment. Plan for time, because the inspection must happen before loading.
Which tile standard applies?
The KEBS tile standard question is a common search, but we could not confirm the exact Kenyan standard number for ceramic tiles from an official source. Kenyan standards for tiles are generally aligned with the international ISO 13006 family, so the factory's ISO 13006 and ISO 10545 test reports are the starting point. Ask the PVoC partner which standard and which tests it will apply.
Read ISO 13006 and EN 14411 to see what these reports cover, and have the sample tested before you order, as listed in tests for tiles before shipment.
How is import duty on tiles in Kenya decided?
Kenya applies the East African Community customs tariff, so the duty depends on the HS code under heading 6907, which in turn depends on water absorption. On top of duty, Kenyan imports can carry value-added tax and other levies. The rates change with the national finance law, so we do not quote any figure. Ask your clearing agent in Mombasa for the rate for your exact code and the current levies.
Also ask whether any trade remedy applies to the origin and exporter you plan to use. The general duty picture in other regions is in import duties on Indian tiles.
What does the route look like?
Most tile cargo clears at Mombasa, and some goes on to Uganda, Rwanda and the wider region. Transit from Gujarat depends on the service and the transhipment, so ask your forwarder. Sea freight times from India lists the factors.
Keep the documents tight. The invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading must agree with the Certificate of Conformity. See the tile export documents list.
A certificate that does not match the invoice can hold a container at Mombasa. Ask the PVoC partner to review the draft invoice, packing list and quantities before shipment, and check that the company name, HS code and quantities agree across every document.
- Book PVoC inspection as soon as the production date is firm.
- Use the same company name on every document.
- Check whether an import standardisation mark is needed on cartons for your product.
Next step
We confirm the PVoC route with the partner, prepare the factory for inspection and supervise loading. To plan a Kenyan order, book a free sourcing review.