KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC)
KEBS PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) is the Kenya Bureau of Standards programme requiring third-party inspection and certification of regulated imported goods — including used construction machinery — at the country of origin BEFORE shipment. A valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is required for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs clearance at Mombasa.
Scope and legal basis
KEBS PVoC was established under the Standards Act (Cap 496) of Kenya and is enforced by Kenya Bureau of Standards in cooperation with KRA Customs. It covers goods listed in the PVoC Order, including used construction equipment (HS heading 8429), motor vehicles, electrical equipment, and processed food. Used excavators are explicitly included.
How the process works
Three appointed inspection companies operate the programme at the China origin point: Intertek, SGS, and Bureau Veritas. The yard prepares the machine (serial plate photo, engine number, chassis VIN) and books an inspection. Lead time from booking to certificate issuance: 5-7 working days. The inspector verifies machine condition against KEBS standards and issues the CoC. Cost per machine in 2026: approximately USD 380-520.
Documents required at Mombasa
The CoC must accompany the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin at KRA customs clearance. CoC validity is 60 days from issuance — if the vessel is delayed past day 60, the CoC must be re-issued at China origin OR a destination inspection at Mombasa is required (approximately 2.5× the at-origin cost).
Common failure modes
Three failures observed in practice: (1) yard supplies inspector with wrong serial number — CoC issued for wrong machine and customs rejects; (2) CoC expired during shipping delay — destination inspection required, adds 7-14 days; (3) machine spec recorded on CoC differs from physical machine landed (e.g., bucket size, attachment configuration) — KRA disputes the CoC and reclassifies. ExcaYard handles the inspection booking + serial verification + spec match to avoid all three.
Relationship to TBS PVoC (Tanzania) and UNBS PVoC (Uganda)
KEBS PVoC operates under a similar framework to Tanzania's TBS PVoC and Uganda's UNBS PVoC — all three are EAC (East African Community)-harmonised conformity programmes administered by the same three inspection companies (Intertek / SGS / Bureau Veritas). The CoC issued for one country is NOT transferable to another — each destination requires its own certificate. Operational lead times and fees are similar across the three programmes.