The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is present in seven gazetted points of entry/ exit (POEs), that include international airports, border points, inland container depots and the seaports. These points of entry (POEs) are Mombasa, Namanga, Busia, Malaba, Lunga Lunga, JKIA and Taveta. NBA has put controls at the POEs and in the process facilitate import, export and transit through inspection, testing, cargo clearance and sensitization of stakeholders on import and export requirements. The controls put in place by NBA at POEs aim to prevent unauthorized entry of unapproved GMOs, ensure compliance with national biosafety laws.

Several GM crops, animals, microorganisms, vaccines and pharmaceuticals have been approved for use around the world a (Attached list of approved GM commodities )  and require regulation by NBA and interventions at POEs.

A person intending to import, export and transit any GM commodities, is required to submit an application  to NBA subject to applicable fees. Once approval is granted, one is required to lodge an application for import/export/transit on the Trade Facilitation Platform .

For importation of non-GMO commodity, that has an approved GM counterpart anywhere in the world, a trader is required to produce non-GM certification from the competent national authority and a Certificate of GM analysis from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. This is done at the pre-shipment application stage on the Trade Facilitation Platform .

Where applicable, a letter of no objection  from NBA, may be required upon inspection of the manifest. For exports, a GMO-Free Certificate  may be required on request by the importing country to accompany the shipment.

During inspection and market surveillance, samples are collected for laboratory analysis.. The frequency of this sampling shall be determined in accordance with standard operating procedures. Additionally, sampling and testing can be done upon request by the client at the prescribed fees through Requisition For Laboratory Testing Services .

To facilitate efficient cargo clearance, the following documentation is required:

1. Certificate of Origin;
2. Commercial invoice: Gives information on the cargo’s value and acts as a contract between the buyer and seller;
3. Packing list: An itemized list of your shipment’s contents;
4. Bill of lading (B/L) or Cargo receipt: A receipt issued by the carrier confirming they have taken possession of your goods;
5. Customs entry form: Declares shipment details like description, HS classification;
6. GMO free certificate, No-Objection letters;
7. For export, a road manifest is required; and
8. For transit shipment clearance from the destination country is required.

Caution

Non-compliance to import, export and transit requirements shall lead to:

1. Refusal of entry of the consignment; or
2. Destruction of the shipment at the expense of the trader.