Ruto Govt Allows Importation Of Dates Tax-Free For 1 Month

President William Ruto's government has announced that it has allowed the importation of duty-free dates during this year's Holy month of Ramadhan.

This announcement, the second of such in a row following a similar one issued on March 13, 2023, came upon the request from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), highlighting the government's commitment to supporting religious practices and cultural diversity.

SUPKEM made an application to the Ministry of Treasury requesting the importation of duty-free dates from March 10 to April 9, 2024, citing several requests from donors overseas who offered to donate dates to Muslims in Kenya.

"The purpose of this letter is to kindly request the Ministry, through your office for the tax exemption of dates once they are brought to Kenya," noted Abdullahi Salat, the SUPKEM Secretary General.

A plate of dates during Ramadhan. /FILE

In response, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Njuguna Ndung'u instructed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to facilitate the tax-free importation of dates from March 1, 2024, to April 20, 2024.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner General of KRA, Humphrey Mulongo, Ndung'u highlighted the government's commitment to supporting the Muslim community, stating that "The Ramadhan period is a time of great significance, and this gesture is a reflection of our respect and support for the Muslim community in Kenya."

Following this, KRA instructed importers to make applications at the Institute of Commercial Management (iCMS) requesting for issuance of an exemption processing code and attaching the importation documents.

The Remissions & Exemptions Office will thereafter facilitate an indulgence under Section 247(b) of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004 to approve processing code to exempt 100% import duties and all other taxes, fees and levies on the dates consignments.

The consignments shall thereafter be subjected to scanning for risk management, with the Remissions & Exemptions Office maintaining the records indicative of the date of importation, quantities imported and duties, taxes, fees and levies exempted.

"Risk Management Division and PCA to note that if the dates are sold or otherwise not distributed as intended, appropriate taxes shall become due and payable," read part of a statement by KRA.

"All staff are to ensure that the relevant laws, regulations and procedures governing importation and clearance of the goods must at all times during this period be complied with, even as we facilitate trade," KRA added.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale reacted to the developments on Wednesday, January 31 by thanking President Ruto for "expressing the Government's support and solidarity with the Muslim Community of Kenya through importation of duty-free dates during this year's Holy month of Ramadan, expected to run between 10th March to 9th April."

"This continued gesture of kindness is an affirmation of our belief in a unified nation of diverse religious practices as enshrined in the Constitution," he stated on X.

The Ramadhan period will be observed soon when Muslims around the world will be fasting in observance of the Holy month.

During this period, Muslims are expected to break their fast at sundown each evening by consuming dates before any other foods.

Read more: Why Do Muslims Eat Dates During Ramadhan?