VAT on Gold in Kenya
Gold bars bought from a VAT-registered seller carry the standard 16% VAT, because gold is not exempt. Gold jewellery from a VAT-registered business carries the standard 16% VAT on its full price. Today 10 grams of 24K gold cost KES 161,894 at the world price and about KES 187,798 with tax and duty.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
Gold in Kenya today, with tax
KES · Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC| Weight | World price, 24K gold | Bar or coin, with tax and duty | 18K jewellery metal, with tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | KES 16,189 | KES 18,780 | KES 14,085 |
| 10 grams | KES 161,894 | KES 187,798 | KES 140,848 |
| 1 ounce | KES 503,548 | KES 584,116 | KES 438,087 |
| 100 grams | KES 1,618,945 | KES 1,877,976 | KES 1,408,482 |
| 1 kilo | KES 16,189,447 | KES 18,779,758 | KES 14,084,819 |
The rules in Kenya
| What you buy | Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bars and bullion coins | 16% | Gold bars bought from a VAT-registered seller carry the standard 16% VAT, because gold is not exempt. The standard rate is 16% (s.5(2)(b) VAT Act 2013). The exempt First Schedule, read on Kenya Law (version from 27 December 2024) and in KRA's May 2024 revised edition, does not mention gold, precious metals, bullion or jewellery. KPMG's analyses of the Finance Acts 2025 and 2026 show no change for gold and no change to the 16% rate. The Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Act 2026 lets the CBK buy gold but does not change retail VAT. Retail bullion is rarely sold and much artisanal trade is informal. |
| Jewellery | 16% | Gold jewellery from a VAT-registered business carries the standard 16% VAT on its full price. Charged on: full value. |
| Import duty | 0% | Local gold comes mainly from artisanal mines and is priced at the world price converted to shillings, so no import duty is built into the metal price. Imported jewellery pays East African Community Common External Tariff duty (bands of 0, 10, 25 and 35%; finished goods are usually 25%), plus a 2.5% Import Declaration Fee, a 2% Railway Development Levy and 16% import VAT. The exact CET lines for HS 7108 and 7113 were not confirmed. |
| Tourist refund | No | Kenya has no working VAT refund scheme for tourists. KRA refunds go only to registered taxpayers. The Finance Act 2026 raised the duty-free allowance for returning passengers to USD 2,000, which is not a VAT refund. |
Compared with nearby countries
| Country | Bars and coins | Jewellery | Import duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 16% | 16% | none |
| UAE | 0% | 5% | none |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | 15% | none |
| Kuwait | 0% | 0% | none |
| Qatar | 0% | 0% | none |
| Bahrain | 0% | 10% | none |
| Oman | 0% | 5% | none |
| Egypt | 0% | 0% on the gold | none |
| South Africa | 0% | 15% | none |
| Nigeria | 7.5% | 7.5% | none |
| Ghana | 20% | 20% | none |
VAT on Gold in Kenya: FAQ
Is there VAT on gold in Kenya?
Gold bars bought from a VAT-registered seller carry the standard 16% VAT, because gold is not exempt. Gold jewellery from a VAT-registered business carries the standard 16% VAT on its full price.
Do you pay VAT on gold bars and coins in Kenya?
Gold bars bought from a VAT-registered seller carry the standard 16% VAT, because gold is not exempt. The standard rate is 16% (s.5(2)(b) VAT Act 2013). The exempt First Schedule, read on Kenya Law (version from 27 December 2024) and in KRA's May 2024 revised edition, does not mention gold, precious metals, bullion or jewellery. KPMG's analyses of the Finance Acts 2025 and 2026 show no change for gold and no change to the 16% rate. The Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Act 2026 lets the CBK buy gold but does not change retail VAT. Retail bullion is rarely sold and much artisanal trade is informal.
Is there import duty on gold in Kenya?
Local gold comes mainly from artisanal mines and is priced at the world price converted to shillings, so no import duty is built into the metal price. Imported jewellery pays East African Community Common External Tariff duty (bands of 0, 10, 25 and 35%; finished goods are usually 25%), plus a 2.5% Import Declaration Fee, a 2% Railway Development Levy and 16% import VAT. The exact CET lines for HS 7108 and 7113 were not confirmed.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on gold in Kenya?
No. Kenya has no working VAT refund scheme for tourists. KRA refunds go only to registered taxpayers. The Finance Act 2026 raised the duty-free allowance for returning passengers to USD 2,000, which is not a VAT refund.
Sources (6)
- Kenya Law: Value Added Tax Act No. 35 of 2013 (version 27 Dec 2024 to 30 Jun 2025) (2024-12-27)
- KRA (iKESRA): Value Added Tax Act Cap. 476, Revised Edition May 2024 (2024-05)
- KPMG Kenya: Finance Act 2025 analysis (2025-07)
- KPMG Kenya: Finance Act 2026 analysis (2026-07-01)
- FNJ Associates: Guide to customs and import duty in Kenya (EAC CET bands, IDF, RDL) (2026-10-23 (last updated))
- Way4i: Kenya tax-free shopping guide (no tourist VAT refund) (2026-06-15)
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.