We know how paperwork
works in East Africa.

Customs clearance

Customs clearance is where most trade operations fail in East Africa. A single missing document, a misclassified product, an unexpected inspection — each one adds days, costs money, and exposes you to liability.

We coordinate the full clearance process on both sides of the corridor. We work with certified clearing agents in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and we manage the documentary chain from origin to destination.

This is not a support service. It is the core of what we do in the Documents pillar.

• Import and export customs declarations
• Coordination with certified clearing agents — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda
• Pre-shipment classification review to prevent clearance delays
• Port of entry documentation management — Mombasa, Dar es Salaam
• Customs duty optimisation within legal frameworks
• Inspection coordination and resolution

Per shipment or ongoing trade volume

Company registration & legal structure

Setting up correctly from the start is the single most important decision before entering East Africa. The wrong legal structure costs years to unwind. We handle the full incorporation process and ensure your entity is properly registered before any operational activity begins.

• Company incorporation — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda
• Legal structure selection: branch, subsidiary, local entity
• Director and shareholder registration
• Tax identification and VAT registration
• Bank account coordination support

3–6 weeks depending on jurisdiction

Sector permits, licenses & ongoing compliance

Every sector in East Africa has its own regulatory requirements. Hospitality, real estate, food service, logistics — each requires specific permits that vary by country, by municipality, and sometimes by activity type. We identify what you need and track the renewals so you do not have to.

• Sector-specific license identification and application
• Business permits and operating licenses
• Health, safety and environmental compliance documentation
• Regulatory monitoring and renewal management
• Liaison with government agencies and local authorities

Ongoing from day one of operations

Import/export documentation

Moving goods across borders requires a specific set of documents that must be accurate, complete and correctly sequenced. A single error delays your shipment, increases costs, and creates exposure. We manage the full documentary chain on both sides.

• Commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin
• EAC preferential tariff documentation
• Phytosanitary, health and conformity certificates
• Letter of credit and payment documentation support
• Due diligence and contract preparation

Per shipment or ongoing trade relationship