Hi Barb

That's good news :)

Although in the UK, organising events is not my struong point, but I may know someone who can advise on the practicalities of shipping....

Do you know Alison Lowndes http://www.nabuur.com/en/user/alisonavif/profile

She runs a small charity here in England called AVIF which sends volunteers to Kenya. She has also been working with Nabuur Kayole-Soweto and has successfully sent several boxes of hospital supplies to them. Not as big as a several computers, but she will probably have details of what paperwork is required etc.

She is not logged into Nabuur very often, but if you two don't already know each other, I can drop her a message via email or facebook.

Mary

Hi Mary,

Thanks for the info. I know of Alison and I think Eric has already talked to her. I think her original contact at customs was no longer able to assist, but I may be mistaken. We will pursue this though.

Thanks again!

Glad to hear that.

Could you furnish more information as to the number of the servers and any other relevant information that could be useful in determining the taxation.I have some contacts at The Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) who can assist with the infornation as per the tax(VAT, Customs Excise Duty) the servers could attract, and know he will require the additional relevant information.

So far, I am aware that some goods are zero rated and computers could fall under this category, that is if it is a Kenyan returning home from a visit to any place outside Kenya with it. Another avenue would be if the servers could qualify as goods destined to charitable organisation(s)then they should not attract Tax (Tax exempt) or minimal tax.

Let me get the information and will get back to you with a conclusive answer as soon as possible.

Danish

Hi Danish,

Good to hear from you. The servers are only 3. I think computers are zero rated currently in Kenya but you can still find out any information we may need so that we do not have to incur any more costs once the goods are already here that we did not know in advance. You can also state that the goods are intended for charitable purposes.

Looking forward to your update.

Eric

Hi Eric and Danish,

I would definitely look into getting the goods stated as intended for charitable purposes.

Danish- can you find out what paperwork is needed in advance (letter of donation, statement of value, etc) of shipping so that they will attract little or no tax? In my limited experience with Kenyan Revenue Agency and customs, all the paperwork must be completed in advance and it is better to have too much information before hand, than too little. So if you have contact, please gather detailed information on everything that is needed so that we avoid delays and costs upon arrival.

Thanks,

Barb

Hi Barb and Eric,

Still waiting for the information from the gentleman from KRA.

Will get back to you ASAP.

Danish

Thanks Danish! Let us know when you hear something.

Barb

Thanks a lot for the information afloat on the nabuur website.I am expressing my sincere willingness to take research what is required to ship computer equipment to Kenya from the UK. What paperwork is needed IN ADVANCE of shipping to avoid any duty and fees and any other related services incident thereto.I have already talked to the ministry of education in kenya and they are ready to help ship the servers to be used in schools in kabondo to help with the internet services such as business process outsourcing(BPO) training.I am therefore waiting for your communication to know if they are still available so can send you the formality details required.I will be glad to aid change a life in this and many more ways.Thanks and lets meet online.
Yours faithfully,
Tito Okello.

Hi Bard and Eric,

I finally confirmed with Kenya Revenue Authority- (KRA). What will be required is that the Servers must come as a complete set like a computer I.e The system Unit, the Screen/Monitor, the Keyboard, the mouse. If it comes in parts they will be subjected to taxation. The costs which have to be incurred will only be the shipping and clearance charges. Clearance charges roughly KES 3,000/= per server.

The person sending the servers from the UK has to send all the relevant documentations before hand to facilitate clearance which should take at most 3 days.

Thank you all for your patience.

Danish

Hi Danish,

Thank you very much for this information. This is very helpful indeed!

Can you please find out what the relevant documentation will actually be? I assume they need letters of donation and so forth, but I want to find out if those letters need to be submitted to the KRA in advance and approved before shipping. What information is required in those letters? What other documentation is needed? Can you put together a list of the documentation required?

Barb

Welcome to Kabondo Tito!

Thank you for your offer of assistance. Are you located in Kabondo? Maybe you can discuss this further with Eric to help coordinate some of this information and activities.

Regards,

Barb

Hi Barb,

The relevant documents will be the:

1.original copies of documents as proof of ownership i.e reciepts if servers were bought.
2.official letter from donor indicating his/her intention to donate to the organisation,

The above two documents should be sufficient.

Regards,

Danish

Hi,
With fund raising, perhaps one of these websites may be useful, they seem to provide a pretty easy way of advertising and gathering funding for a project:

http://www.fundable.com/
http://www.thepoint.com/
http://www.pledgebank.com/

Hi Chris,

Thanks for this information. We will check it out, apply and share the responses.

Eric

Hi Eric

Do you know how money needs to be raised for this? Knowing amounts may make it easier to figure out how possible it is.

Mary