KRA IMEI Declaration in Kenya: Everything You Need to Know (2025)
If you are travelling into Kenya — whether you are a returning resident, a tourist, or a business traveller — you must be aware of one critical change that came into effect in January 2025: the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) now requires mandatory IMEI declaration for all mobile phones brought into the country.
Failing to declare can result in your device being seized at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Moi International Airport (Mombasa), or any other Kenyan port of entry. This guide explains exactly what the rule means, how to complete the F88 Declaration Form, and how to check your phone's IMEI status before you land.
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What Is KRA IMEI Declaration?
The KRA IMEI Declaration is a regulatory requirement under Kenya's Customs and Excise Act and the Kenya Information and Communications Act. It mandates that anyone arriving in Kenya with a mobile phone — especially a foreign-purchased device — must register the phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number with KRA customs officers.
The policy is jointly enforced by:
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) — customs and tax compliance
- Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) — IMEI validity and network registration
- Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) — for sea-freight arrivals
The primary goal is to: 1. Prevent the importation of counterfeit and substandard devices 2. Ensure that import duties and taxes are correctly collected 3. Create a national database of registered IMEIs to assist in stolen phone recovery
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Who Must Declare Their Phone's IMEI?
You are required to declare your phone's IMEI if any of the following apply to you:
| Scenario | Declaration Required? |
|---|---|
| Tourist arriving with a foreign-purchased phone | Yes |
| Kenyan resident returning from abroad with a new phone | Yes |
| Business traveller carrying demo/sample phones | Yes |
| Courier or cargo shipment containing mobile devices | Yes |
| Phone purchased duty-free at an overseas airport | Yes |
| Kenyan resident with a locally purchased phone | No (already registered) |
| Traveller in transit (not clearing customs) | No |
> Important: If you are carrying more than one phone, each device requires a separate IMEI declaration entry on the F88 form.
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What Is the F88 Form?
The F88 Traveller's Declaration Form (also called the Customs Declaration Form) is the official document used at all Kenyan ports of entry. It is provided by Kenya Revenue Authority for declaring personal effects, including electronic devices.
From January 2025, the F88 form includes a dedicated IMEI section where you must:
- Enter the IMEI number(s) of each phone you are carrying
- State the purchase price in the original currency
- Declare whether the phone is for personal use or commercial sale
You can obtain the F88 form:
- On the aircraft — flight attendants distribute it before landing
- At the arrivals hall — available at the customs declaration desk
- Online (pre-arrival) — check the KRA official website for the digital version
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How to Find Your Phone's IMEI Number
Before you travel to Kenya, locate your phone's IMEI number. There are three easy methods:
Method 1: Dial a Code
Open your phone's dialler and type: `` *#06# `` Your IMEI number (15 digits) will appear on screen immediately. Write it down or take a screenshot.
Method 2: Check Phone Settings
- iPhone: Go to Settings → General → About → IMEI
- Android: Go to Settings → About Phone → IMEI Information
- Samsung: Go to Settings → About Phone → Status → IMEI Information
Method 3: Check the Device Box or SIM Tray
Your IMEI is printed on the original retail box and sometimes on the SIM card tray of the device.
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Step-by-Step: Completing the KRA F88 Form for IMEI Declaration
Follow these steps when arriving in Kenya with a foreign mobile phone:
Step 1 — Collect the F88 Form Pick up the form on the aircraft or at the customs desk in the arrivals hall.
Step 2 — Fill in Your Personal Details Enter your full name, passport number, nationality, flight number, and country of origin.
Step 3 — Locate the "Electronic Goods" Section The F88 form has a goods declaration section. Under electronic items, you will find fields for mobile phones.
Step 4 — Enter Each Phone's IMEI Number Write the full 15-digit IMEI for every phone you are carrying. If your phone has two SIM slots, it will have two IMEI numbers — declare both.
Step 5 — State the Purchase Value Enter the purchase price as shown on your receipt. If you no longer have the receipt, a bank statement or online order confirmation is acceptable.
Step 6 — Declare Purpose of Import Mark whether the phone is for personal use (exempt from duty up to certain limits) or commercial/resale (subject to import duty).
Step 7 — Submit to Customs Officer Hand the completed F88 form to the KRA customs officer at the red channel (goods to declare) or the designated IMEI registration desk.
Step 8 — Receive Your IMEI Registration Stamp The officer will verify your IMEI, enter it into the KRA/CA IMEI database, and stamp your declaration. Keep this stamped form — it is proof of lawful importation.
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KRA Import Duty on Mobile Phones: What You May Owe
Phones brought into Kenya for personal use are typically allowed duty-free up to a value of KES 50,000 (approximately USD 380). Above this threshold, the following taxes may apply:
| Tax / Levy | Rate |
|---|---|
| Import Duty | 25% of CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) value |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | 16% |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) | 3.5% |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) | 2% |
| Effective Total Tax | ~50%+ on dutiable value |
> Pro Tip: If you bought an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 abroad for USD 1,000, and it exceeds the duty-free allowance, you could face taxes of USD 500 or more. Always check your phone's declared value against current KRA thresholds.
Before you travel, verify your phone's IMEI status and estimated import value using the free tool below:
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Penalties for Not Declaring Your Phone at KRA Customs
Non-declaration or under-declaration of a mobile phone at Kenyan customs is a serious offence. Penalties include:
- Confiscation of the device — the phone is seized and held pending investigation
- Financial penalty — a fine of up to three times the dutiable value of the device
- Criminal prosecution — in serious cases, smuggling charges under the East African Community Customs Management Act
- Network blocking — the Communications Authority of Kenya can instruct local carriers (Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya) to block the SIM card from registering on any Kenyan network
A blocked phone is completely unusable in Kenya — it cannot make calls, send SMS, or use mobile data on any local network.
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How to Check if a Phone Is Already Blacklisted Before Buying
Whether you are buying a second-hand phone in Nairobi's Tom Mboya Street market or importing a device from overseas, always check the IMEI before purchasing. A stolen or blacklisted phone will be blocked from Kenyan networks — even if it appears to work initially.
Use our free IMEI tools to verify:
- Blacklist status — is this phone reported stolen in Kenya or internationally?
- Network lock status — is the phone locked to a specific carrier?
- Model verification — does the IMEI match the model on the box?
Run a check instantly:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to declare a phone I already own if I am just visiting Kenya? A: Yes. Even if you have owned the phone for years, if it was purchased outside Kenya, you must declare it on the F88 form when entering the country.
Q: What if I forget to declare my phone at the airport? A: You can approach the KRA customs desk before leaving the arrivals hall. Voluntary declaration after entry is handled on a case-by-case basis, but it is far better than being caught at a random spot-check inside the country.
Q: Can Safaricom or Airtel block my phone if it is undeclared? A: Yes. Under the Communications Authority of Kenya's IMEI management system, unregistered foreign phones can be flagged and blocked by all three major networks within 60 days of arrival.
Q: Is there a way to check if my phone's IMEI is already in the KRA system? A: You can request confirmation from the KRA customs desk at your port of entry. For international blacklist and stolen device checks, use our WorldWide Blacklist Check tool.
Q: What is the IMEI, and why does it matter for customs? A: The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number that identifies every mobile phone globally. Customs authorities use it to track whether a device was legally imported, to prevent counterfeit devices from entering circulation, and to assist police in recovering stolen phones.
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Check Your Phone's IMEI Right Now
Before you travel to Kenya — or before you buy any second-hand device — run a quick IMEI check to protect yourself:
- Free IMEI Check — Verify brand, model, and basic device info instantly, at no cost
- WorldWide Blacklist Check — Confirm the phone has not been reported stolen in Kenya or any other country
Staying compliant with KRA IMEI declaration rules is straightforward when you are prepared. Know your IMEI number, fill in the F88 form honestly, and keep your stamped receipt — and your arrival in Kenya will be smooth and stress-free.
Ready to try it? Run a free IMEI check →