Bottled water exempted from excise duty
Business
By
Mate Tongola
| Jul 06, 2026
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that bottled water manufactured or imported into the country will no longer be subject to excise duty or require excise stamps, following changes introduced under the Finance Act, 2026.
In a public notice issued on Monday, KRA said the changes took effect on July 1, 2026, after the Finance Act amended the First Schedule to the Excise Duty Act, Cap 472, removing bottled water from the list of excisable goods.
The authority said all bottled water manufactured or imported on or after July 1 will no longer be subject to excise duty or the mandatory excise stamps.
"From 1st July 2026, bottled water manufactured or imported in Kenya will no longer be subject to excise duty and will not require excise stamps," KRA said.
However, the tax agency directed manufacturers to settle all outstanding excise duty obligations for June 2026.
READ MORE
Police ordered to produce driver of killer 'D'etat' matatu
Investment. Partnerships urged to unlock Coast industrial potential
CBC can help restore social media-driven loss of esteem
Key CCTV cameras were offline when Rex Masai was killed
Police 'service' doesn't need new uniform, it needs a new skin
KATIBA 16: The document that gave Gen Z a voice to demand accountability
Kenyans should condemn and demand arrest of leaders fuelling violence
Tanzania Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi resigns
KRA now targets Eastleigh, Kamukunji traders in tax compliance push
KRA reminded manufacturers to file their June 2026 Excise Duty Returns and pay all taxes due by July 20, 2026, despite the new tax exemption.
The changes are part of amendments introduced under the Finance Act, 2026, aimed at removing bottled water from the list of products subject to excise duty.