1.What is EPZ Program?
It is a scheme that promotes export oriented industrial investment within designated zones and also provides excellent facilitation and after-care services to new and existing investors. The investors enjoy attractive fiscal incentives coupled with simplified operating procedures and superior infrastructure.
The scheme promotes over 80% of the total sales be exported outside the East African market ( EAC) and allows up to 20% of total sales to be sold in the domestic market (EAC market)
2.What are the advantages of locating in an Export Processing Zone (EPZ)?
The advantage of locating inside an EPZ is the ease of doing business which includes:
3.How long will it take for EPZ license application approval once all the requirements are submitted?
It takes a maximum of 20 working days when all the required documents are submitted.
4. How does one apply for an EPZ license?
5. What licenses are available under EPZ Program?
For information details refer to: handbook.
6. What activities qualify for registration with EPZ Program?
Activities that qualify for registration with EPZA are those that involve manufacturing such as agro – processing , animal processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and garments, marine processing, mining and film production, commercial activities such as bulk breaking, labelling, repacking , trading, export- oriented services such as brokerage, repair, information and consultancy services , IT and BPO services.
7. What are the incentives offered by EPZ Program?
Fiscal and Non- fiscal incentives are given by EPZA to registered export enterprises.
Fiscal incentives include: 10- year Corporate Tax Holiday; preferential rate of 25% on gross lapse of the CTH period, 20- year withholding Tax Holiday on remittances to non- residents, perpetual exemptions from Customs Duty and zero Value Added Tax on input goods and services, perpetual exemption from stamp Duty on legal instruments and 100% investment deduction on new investments in EPZ buildings, machinery, applicable over 20 years.
Non- fiscal include: one- stop-shop service, rapid project approval within 20 days. Green channel port and custom clearance, unrestricted investment by foreigners, liberalised foreign exchange regime and easy repatriation of capital and profits, access to foreign currency accounts, domestic and offshore borrowing, ready factory facilities for rent, available serviced land for construction of customized buildings in the public zones and fully fledged security to enhance safety, equipped medical facility and concessionary rates on water and sewerage facilities.
8. Is there any program for SME?
EPZ has SME Development Programme which nurtures SME exporters with majority local Kenyan shareholding desiring to set up under the EPZ Program. The program benefit SME with Tax incentives similar to other large EPZ enterprises such as purpose -built infrastructure with smaller godowns, reduced rent rates with 4 months’ rent free period ,capacity building in areas such as strategic/ business planning, quality/ financial management, human resource, export marketing etc.
9. Do I need a local partner to operate an EPZ Company in Kenya?
An EPZ company can be 100% foreign owned, 100% Kenyan owned or a combination of foreign/ Kenyan ownership (Joint Venture).
10. Can an EPZ enterprise bring in foreign workers?
Yes. The enterprises indicate at the time of application their requirement for foreign work permit in three possible categories- technical, training and managerial employees. Once the project is approved then the enterprise may apply for work permits for the approved categories and numbers of foreign employees, from the Immigration Department with facilitation of Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA)