Until the last quarter of 1994, the high cost of imports due to the declining exchange rate for the shilling, the relatively high transport costs from the United States, and competition from Kenya's traditional European suppliers are major constraints in expanding sales of American products. Tariffs In 1993, the number of categories of duty rates was reduced from 9 to 6 and the top rate of duty was reduced to 40 percent. However, tariffs on manufactured items were increased to protect local industries. Tariff rates on processed agricultural imports remain high. Import Permits Import licensing controls were dismantled in 1993, except for a small negative list based on health, environmental and security concerns.
Imports are still, however, subject to some approvals.
Cotecna Inspection S.A. The role of the inspection agencies is enhanced under the procedures announced in the 1994 budget. It has joined both the Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. Although a unified system for the registration of trademarks and patents from Anglophone Africa was signed in 1976, the effort has remained stagnant due to lack of cooperation among the signatory states. A future prospect for patent, trademark, and copyright protection is embodied in the African Intellectual Property Organization, although the enforcement and cooperation procedures are untested. Kenyan laws regarding copyrights are not extensive.