Nakuru beer sellers will breathe easy after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) gave a two-month grace period for them to comply with the provisions of the Excise Duty Act 2015 on the sale of beer.
In a statement on its website, KRA notifies manufacturers, importers, distributors,and retailers of beer, as well as the general public, that the deadline for old stocks in the market for manufactured or imported beer without excise stamps/codes affixed on has been extended to June 30, 2016.
However, distributors and retailers have been advised not to accept any beer, manufactured or imported after February 1, 2016 (effective date for the affixation of stamps on beer), for distribution, sale or consumption without excise stamps affixed.
After the June deadline, distributors and retailers shall declare and handover all beer products bearing no stamps/codes to the respective manufacturers or importers for affixation of excise stamps/codes.
KRA has warned that any person who manufacturers, imports, distributes, retails or is found in possession of beer on which excise stamps or codes have not been affixed in accordance with the law shall be guilty of an offence.