Ban On ‘Mitumba’ Clothes Importation Lifted

August 16, 2020

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The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has lifted the ban on importation of second hand clothes and shoes ‘mitumba‘ that was imposed March 31, 2020.

In a public notice on the local dailies today, KEBS noted it had received ‘new’ information from WHO and Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) that it would allow controlled importation.

“The government through the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Enterprise Development, Ministry of Health and KEBS held several consultations culminating to the development of protocols to guide on the importation and sale of used textiles and shoes,” part of the notice read.

All clothes and shoes intended for importation into the country shall be cleaned and fumigated and subjected to certification under the pre-export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) requirements.

Suppliers shall also notify in writing to PVoC service providers contracted by KEBS of their intention to export and also declare information on the goods, from origin to the importer.

Among the clothes that can not be imported as second hand include pyjamas, nightdress, nightgowns, used bath towels and undergarments in general.

“Failure to adhere to this protocol shall result in rejection of the products ans may result in the implementation of any other legal sanctions provided under the law,” part of the regulations posted in KEBS website read.