New tax rules could lower imported ceramic tile costs
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29 – Imported ceramic tile costs could fall following a change in Kenya’s excise duty regime, with the government replacing weight-based taxation with a charge tied to…
Kenya's excise duty regime is changing, which could lower the costs of imported ceramic tiles, according to the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026. The new law replaces weight-based taxation with a charge based on the surface area of tiles. Importers will now pay a minimum excise duty of Sh400 per square metre or 5 percent of the excisable value, whichever is higher.
Additionally, the excise duty on imported ceramic sanitary fixtures will decrease from Sh50 per kilogramme to Sh30 per kilogramme, a 40 percent reduction. These changes could benefit various stakeholders, including hardware retailers, contractors, property developers, and households. The actual savings for importers will depend on the value, weight, and area of the imported products.
However, the final cost of tiles will still depend on international prices, freight charges, exchange rates, distribution expenses, and retailers' margins.
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