The state has withdrawn the user charges imposed last week to importers on a single-window platform for goods clearance at Mombasa port.
According to the platform’s operator, Kentrade, the state decided to remove the charges after consultations on February 1.
“We notify all our stakeholders that following consultations, the recently introduced user fees on the national electronic single window (Kentrade TradeNet System) services have been withdrawn,” said the notice.
The agency had directed importers to pay a user fee of Sh5,000, Sh750 for a unique consignment reference number, and an arrival notification fee per vessel of Sh7,500, each of the costs attracting VAT at 16 percent.
The manufacturers argued that the levies would negatively affect Kenya-made goods competitiveness in the expanded Africa market and hence its withdrawal.