Kenyans could see changes in the cost of several imported products after the East African Community (EAC) approved a raft of country-specific import duty measures affecting items such as mobile phones, rice, baby diapers, second-hand clothes and lithium batteries.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The changes are contained in the latest EAC Gazette published on June 30, 2026, which outlines approved measures on import duty rates under the Common External Tariff (CET) as well as duty remission on selected raw materials and industrial inputs for Partner States.

Among the most notable changes is Kenya's decision to apply a 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones for one year, replacing the previous Common External Tariff rate of zero per cent.

The move could influence the cost of importing handsets into the country, although the final retail prices will depend on importers, distributors and prevailing market conditions.

📌 What You Need to Know

The gazette also introduces changes affecting parents after Kenya, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, opted to increase the import duty on baby diapers from the Common External Tariff rate of 25 per cent to 35 per cent for one year.

With the duty increasing from 25 per cent to 35 per cent for one year , parents and caregivers could face higher prices for imported diaper brands, although the exact increase will depend on manufacturers, distributors and retailers.

Rice imports have also been affected, with Kenya opting to reduce the applicable duty from the Common External Tariff rate of 75 per cent or USD345 (about Ksh44,594) per metric tonne, whichever is higher, to 35 per cent or USD200 (about Ksh25,852) per metric tonne, for the next year.

For shoppers who rely on second-hand clothing, commonly known as mitumba , Kenya retained its existing import regime by applying a duty rate of 35 per cent or USD0.20 (about Ksh26) per kilogram, whichever is higher, instead of adopting the higher regional benchmark of 35 per cent or USD0.40 (about Ksh52) per kilogram.

In a move expected to benefit the clean energy sector, Kenya also secured approval to apply a zero per cent import duty on lithium batteries for one year after staying the Common External Tariff rate of 25 per cent.

The measure could lower import costs for batteries used in solar systems, energy storage and backup power solutions.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke