Import Policies
- Kenya:
- The Kenyan trade policy focuses on export-led growth strategy.
- Kenya adopts export-led growth policy to respond to the current high rate of proliferation in liberalization and globalization.
- Kenya trade policy allows wide range of imports without many restrictions provided proper regulations and standards are adhered to. (Kiringai, 2004).
- Vietnam:
- Vietnam is dedicated to long-term objective of global economic integration via participation in APEC, WHO, as well as the ASIAN Free Trade Area (McEwen, 2007).
Tariffs
- Kenya:
- Export-led strategy policy aspires to increase on the exportations than importations.
- Kenya has very high tariffs especially on agricultural produce to protect the agriculture industry in Kenya.
- Kenyan government occasionally reduces the tariffs on agriculture produce to address on the fluctuation in supply plus because of political reasons.
- Kenya has 3 bands of tariffs; Zero duty for raw materials, 10% for manufactured or processed inputs and 25% for finished goods. For sensitive goods such as maize, milk and wheat the tariffs goes to a high of 58% (Kiringai, 2004).
- Vietnam:
- main Vietnam imports include farm produce, coffee, fresh fruits, alcohol and cooking oil.
- In January 1, 2008 Vietnam reduced imports taxes that were levied on 1, 700 classes of products by 1-6% points.
- The number of tariffs bands have greatly been reduced recently. Similarly, the number of tariff lines have been reduced to zero in order to promote international trade (McEwen, 2007).
Restrictions
- Kenya:
- The Kenyan trading policy restricts importation of any explosives, arms and ammunitions. Any arm, explosives or ammunitions that are entering the country should be accompanied by a police permit.
- To import any plant or plant products to Kenya, a special plant import permit is required.
- Animals being imported in Kenya should only travel as cargos.
- Cats and dogs imported should have a certificate of good health and an additional certificate declaring them free from rabies.
- Importation of ivory, precious metals as well as fruits and children toys are also restricted. (Kenya Customs., 2012).
- Vietnam:
- Importation of live animals requires the animal being accompanied by a health certificate with complete valid inoculations.
- Any endangered species and parts or product outlined by CITES will enter Vietnam after being granted permission by CITES.
- Vietnam also restricts importation of medication (Vietnam Customs, 2012).
Management Recomendations
Both Vietnam and Kenya governments are open to international trade. However, they both have some special tariffs to regulate local industries. From unfair global competitions. Kenya has high tariffs on agricultural produce. On the other hand , Vietnam does not have such tariffs on farm produces. Both nations have restrictions on importation of animals and any animal imported should be accompanied by a health certificate. Therefore, if the company concerned deals with farm produce, it should consider exporting them to Vietnam., since Vietnam does not have tight tariffs on them. However, if the company deals with raw materials or processed inputs, it should consider exporting them to Kenya because of its favorable tariffs on such products. Lastly, if the company exports animals, it should d make sure the animals exported are accompanied with appropriate health documents in order to allowed in both countries.
Reference List
Kenyan Customs. (2012). Imports Regulation by Kenyan Customs. Web.
Kiringai, J. (2004). Trade Policy and Transport Cost in Kenya. Web.
McEwen, J. (2007). Vietnam Country Brief. Web.
Vietnam Customs. (2012). Import Regulations by Vietnam Customs. Web.