The banned bale: What mitumba traders need to know about KEBS inspection rules

A single prohibited item within a bale of second-hand clothes could result in significant financial losses for mitumba traders, according to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). This occurred when a consignment of imported used clothing and footwear was intercepted on October 21, 2026, during an inspection. As part of its 100 percent inspection regime for imported used clothing and footwear, KEBS requires every consignment to meet the relevant standards before clearance.

In a statement on October 22, 2026, KEBS reiterated that prohibited items include briefs, brassieres, camisoles, socks, stockings, and swimwear. The agency emphasized that it would continue to enforce these requirements to protect consumers and ensure compliance with Kenyan standards.

The mitumba sector, which provides affordable clothing for low-income households and livelihoods for thousands of small-scale traders, is highly dependent on the sector's continued integrity. Importers who are found with prohibited items risk having their goods intercepted, leading to potential delays and financial losses. This enforcement comes amid changes to the taxation of second-hand garments under the Finance Bill, 2026.

Initially, the Treasury proposed a five percent import duty on mitumba, but this was dropped due to concerns from legislators that the additional levy would increase costs for traders and raise prices for millions of Kenyans who rely on second-hand clothing. Instead, Parliament opted for a consolidated one-off import duty system, which aims to make tax administration more straightforward, predictable, and efficient by reducing duplication and easing congestion at ports and border points.

Importers must now account for both the applicable import duty and KEBS standards, ensuring that their bales contain no prohibited items. As KEBS continues its inspections and the consolidated duty system takes effect, traders must understand the requirements of both sets of regulations to avoid delays and losses during the clearance process.