PROTOCOLS FOR IMPORTATION OF USED TEXTILES AND USED  
FOOTWEAR  INTO KENYA  
 
1.0 INTRODUCTION  
This protocol provides best practices on the importation and sale of 
used textiles and used shoes and how the supply chain operators 
conduct their operations while ensuring the health and safety of the 
sellers, importers, wholesalers and buyers from the risk of spread of 
COVID -19 virus.  
Used textile s and used shoes  dealers and buyers shall strictly follow the 
guidelines provid ed by the Government of Kenya  through the  Ministry 
of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) and other relevant bodies 
while  implementing this protocol.  
To achieve full implementation, dealers and buyers will collaborate with 
the Ministry of Industrializa tion, Trade and Enterprise Development, 
Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to ensure 
compliance and enforcement by all parties.  
This protocol draws on The Standards (Verification of Conformity to 
Standards and Other Applicable Regulations) Order, 2020 . It is  also 
guided by  Kenya Standard KS EAS 356: 2019 Textiles – Requirement s for 
Inspection and Acceptance of Used Textile Products  - which was adopted 
and gazetted  as Kenya Standard through Gazette Notice number 8111 
of 30th August 2019 and KS 1533:1999 Code of Practice for Inspection 
and Acceptance Criteria for Used Foot Wear.  
 
2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
2.1 All used textile s and used shoes  intended for importation in to Kenya 
shall be subjected to physical examination  and certification  under 
the Pre –export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) 
requirements.   
   
   
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Protocols for the I mportation of used textiles and shoes   
Ministry of Industrialization , Trade and Enterprise Development  
12.08.2020   2.1 Suppliers  of used textiles and used shoes shall notify in writing to PVoC 
service providers  contracted by KEBS  of their intention to export used 
textiles or used shoes .  
The notification shall con tain the following information as a minimum:  
(a) Name, physical and  email address of the supplier . 
(b) Name, physical and email address of the importer . 
(c) Name, physical and email address of the fumigation service 
provider . 
(d) Declaration of the country of origin of the goods . 
(e) Type of the goods in the consignment ( used textiles  or used 
shoes) . 
2.1 Used clothing and shoes must be cleaned and fumigated before bal ing. 
They shall be accompanied by a fumigation  or treatment  certificate 
issued by a competent authority in the country of supply .  
2.2 Examination and certification shall entail inspection  of supplier’s 
sorting and baling premises, verification of fumigation and inspection 
of packaged  shipments by the PVoC service provider . 
 
2.3 Each consignment must be packed in clear transparent and waterpro of 
materials .    
 
2.4 Each  shipment  shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity 
(COC) issued by  the PVoC service provider responsible for inspecting 
the shipment .  
 
2.5 Each package of used textiles or used shoes sold in Kenya shall have a 
mass in Kilograms that complies with the requirement of the respective 
standard.  
 
2.6 Impo rtation of used textiles and shoes will be undertaken through 
designated ports  of entry.  
 
2.7 Importers of used textiles and sho es must register with Kenya Bureau 
Standards.  
 
3.0 SPECIFIC  REQUIREMENTS FOR USED TEXTILES AND USED 
SHOES  
 
In line with the requirements of KS EAS 356:2019 Textiles  - 
Requirements for Inspection and Acceptance of Used Textile Products  and    
   
_______________________________________ ___________________________________________  
Protocols for the I mportation of used textiles and shoes   
Ministry of Industrialization , Trade and Enterprise Development  
12.08.2020   KS 1533:1999  Code of Practice for Inspection and Acceptance Criteria for 
Used Foot Wea r, all import s of used textiles and used shoes shall  comply 
with the following mandatory requirements.    
 
3.1 Requirements for used Textiles  
 
1) Each bale shall contain a single category of garments . 
2) Each bale shall be legibly and indelibly labelled as follows : 
i. Mass of the bale in kilograms ; 
ii. Category of garments  contained in the bale - for example , 
men’s shirts, men’s’ jackets, men’s trousers, women’s 
dresses, women’s blouses, boys’ shirts ; etc 
iii. Name, physical and email a ddress  of the supplier;  
iv. Name , physical and email address of the i mporter or 
consignee; and  
v. Country of origin  
 
3) The supplier shall make a self -declaration confirming that a 
shipment is free from items prohibited by KS EAS 356:2019: Used 
Textiles - Requirements for Inspection and Acceptance of Used 
Textile Products . For the avoidance of doubt, prohibited items 
include:  
i. Used nightwear including pyjamas , nightdresses and 
nightgowns  
ii. hospital wear;  
iii. Used bath towels;  
iv. Used undergarments including women briefs, men’s briefs, 
brassieres, camisoles, socks, stockings and underwear  
 
3.2 Requirements for used shoes  
1) Each bale shall contain a single type of shoes.  
2) Each bale shall have a label which shall specify  
i. Mass of bale in kilograms;  
ii. Type of footwear;  
iii. Category of users (Children or Adults);  
iv. Name , physical and email  address of importer or consignee;  
v. Name, physical and email address of the s upplier ; and,  
vi. Country of origin.  
3) The supplier shall make a self -declaration confirming that a 
shipment is free from items prohibited by KS 1533:1999 Code of 
Practice for Inspection and Acceptance Criteria for Used Foot Wear     
   
_______________________________________ ___________________________________________  
Protocols for the I mportation of used textiles and shoes   
Ministry of Industrialization , Trade and Enterprise Development  
12.08.2020   For the avoidance of doubt, prohibited items include used 
sandals, used slippers and used indoor footwear.  
 
4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF WHOLESALERS  
 
4.1 A wholesaler of used textiles or used shoes  shall adhere to the  
COVID -19 Prevention Protocols issued by the Ministry of Health .  
These include , among other things : 
i. Fumigate their stores and surroundings every day at the closure 
of the business as per guidance provided by the Ministry of 
Health.  
ii. Maintain an inventory of each consignment and provide details 
of buyers and their contacts , including physical addresses , 
mobile numbers and quantities sold . This must be  made 
available to enforcement agencies whenever requested . 
iii. Obtain and maintain records of inspection certificates for goods 
received.  
iv. Wear appropriate  masks or facial covering at all times while at 
the workplace  following  Public H ealth Regulations of 2020.  
v. Provide easily accessible handwashing  stations with soap and 
running water or sanitization bottle for employees and 
customers.  
vi. Adequately aerate premises through open doors, windows and 
clear ventilation.  
vii. Provide for separate receptacles for storing used PPEs such as 
used masks and gloves before collection for disposal.  
 
5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF RETAILERS   
5.1 A retailer  of used textiles or used shoes shall adhere to the COVID -19 
Prevention Protocols issued by the Ministry of Health.  
 
5.2 A retailer  of used textiles  and footwear products shall :  
 
i. Obtain a business l icense and operate from an identifiable location 
as specified in the licen se. 
ii. Maintain the physical address and mobile phone contacts of 
their wholesaler .  
iii. Wear masks at all times while at the workplace  per Public 
Health Regulations of 2020 .    
   
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Protocols for the I mportation of used textiles and shoes   
Ministry of Industrialization , Trade and Enterprise Development  
12.08.2020   iv. Provide easily accessible handwashing  stations with soap and 
running water or sanitization bottle for employees and 
customers.  
v. Adequately aerate premises through open doors, windows and 
cleaned ventilat ion. 
vi.  Provide for separate receptacles for storing used PPEs such as 
used masks and gloves before collection for disposal.  
 
6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF  BUYERS  
6.1 A buyer of used textiles or used shoes shall adhere to the COVID -19 
Prevention Protocols issued by the Ministry of Health .  
 
6.2 Also, a buyer shall:  
 
i. Purchase  only from licensed business premises and obtain a 
receipt of each transaction.  
ii. Obtain the physical address and mobile phone details of the seller  
iii. Use hot water , soap and disinfectant to clean purchased items 
before use.  
iv. Report to authorities including KEBS in the event of  encounter ing 
an operator selling prohibited second -hand  clothes and shoes .   
 
7.0 SANCTIONS  
Failure to adhere to this protocol  shall result in rejection of the 
products  and may result in the implementation of any other legal 
sanctions provided under the law.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cabinet Secretary  
Ministry  Industrialization , Trade and Enterprise  Development  
12th August, 20 20