Get a KRA excise licence and excise stamps
Kenya Revenue Authority · sources read 3 Oct 2026
Apply on iTax under Registration, Other Registration, Excise License, and upload your documents as one scan. After KRA inspects your premises, pay the licence fee and lodge a security bond. Once licensed, order excise stamps through EGMS.
- Fee
- KSh 5Excise stamp: Cigarettes (per stamp)KSh 5Excise stamp: Wines and fermented fruit drinks (per stamp)KSh 3Excise stamp: Beer, cider and similar (per stamp)KSh 3Excise stamp: Spirits over 6% alcohol (per stamp)KSh 2.2Excise stamp: Soft drinks and juices (per stamp)KSh 0.5Excise stamp: Bottled water (per stamp)
- Deadline
- Excise returns are due by the 20th of the following month
- Where
- Online on the KRA iTax portal. Stamps through EGMS or an EGMS Service Desk at a KRA Tax Service Office.
What you need
- Detailed manufacturing process flow chart
- Certificate of incorporation or registration
- PIN and Tax Compliance Certificate for the company and each director or owner
- Other permits: KEBS certificate for every brand, business permit, and public health or NEMA licence where needed
- Lease or tenancy agreement for the premises
- Alcohol or tobacco: NACADA liquor licence and county distribution licence, flow meters and EGMS-ready set-up
Steps
- Log in to iTax. Under Registration, choose Other Registration, then Excise License.
- Fill in factory, product and machinery details. Scan all your documents into one file, upload it and submit.
- KRA verifies the application and inspects your premises, then sends a demand notice with the licence fee and bond amount.
- Pay the licence fee on iTax (Payments, Payment Registration) and lodge a cash or non-cash security bond. The licence then comes to your registered email.
- Once licensed, apply for excise stamps through EGMS, or start at an EGMS Service Desk in a KRA Tax Service Office.
Watch out
- The licence fee depends on the class of goods. KRA tells you the amount in the demand notice.
- Refilling water counts. You need an excise licence and a stamp on every bottle you refill or pack.
- KRA issues excise stamps only to licensed businesses, so get the licence first.
Who can apply
- Anyone who manufactures excisable goods in Kenya
- Importers of excisable goods
- Water bottling and refill businesses
Official sources (4)
- Excise Duty (Taxation for Companies & Partnerships) kra.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Step By Step Guide for Application of Excise License (06/12/2023) kra.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Requirements for Licencing Excisable Goods Manufacturers kra.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- iTax portal itax.kra.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026