Many people desire to begin water packaging business but they don’t know how. From my experience, a good number has already mastered how to begin water refilling stations/shops/business. But few know what to do if you want to start packaging. Let me slowly take you through.
Requirements for water packaging business
1. Purified water: Get purified water or purify your own water which is much cheaper than the latter. For a start, it’s cheaper to get purified water but at the long run, purifying your own is better. Say you buy purified water from companies such as purefresh, leofresh, spash etc. Most sell water at ksh2 to ksh3 per litre depending with your location for they will do delivery to your location. You only need few filters to remove sediments that might have gotten into the water during transport. You will also require a water sterilizer.
2. Water purification plant: If you are purifying your own water, you need to have your own water purification plant set up. See the different types in our pages whose prices depend on water analysis report (we will provide you with a sample) and output quantity of your machine eg 500LPH (litres per hour), 1000LPH etc.
3. Water station: The water factory/shop/station should be well prepared to house the equipment and the following Requirements for the water packaging factory/room as described by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) be considered;
- Storage for the raw water. Be well protected to avoid contamination.
- Water purification plant
- Storage for the purified water. Be well protected to avoid contamination.
- Water Packaging table
- The facility tiled.
- There should be a footbath for sterilizing anyone getting into the operation room.
- A changing room for the operating staffs.
4. Permits & Licenses: When the shop is ready, it’s time to visit the respective offices for permits and licenses which include;
- Business permit
- Fire certificate
- Food handling license
- Medical certificate for the operator(s)
5. KEBS: With the above licenses, you then proceed to KEBS to apply your standard mark of quality. Payments are ksh63,800 and you will also be required to purchase 3 different compliance books from the KEBS bookshop at a total of around ksh7,000. You will require the above documents plus;
- Purified water analysis report from a certified water laboratory.
- Competent personnel qualification.
- Cleaning schedule.
- Plant maintenance schedule.
- Complaints handling procedure.
- Your sample label artwork that meets KEBS labelling requirements.
- Water samples are picked from your station for sampling by your assigned KEBS staff. NB: KEBS has really improved their services. An officer who will walk with you all through the entire journey is assigned to you. This makes the process smooth.
The KEBS might take from 2 to 6 weeks. It requires patience and cooperation from both parties ie KEBS staff and you who want to set up a water packaging station. You also need to follow up with them since one staff might be handling several clients at a go. I found the process corruption free. Payments are all done via PAYBILL even before you are assigned a staff. Once the standard mark of quality is out, he/she will notify you and send it via email.
6. KRA: The next step is to get an excise duty license from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Why do you need it? Packaged water attracts a tax. The small sticker you see at the water bottle top is the one that helps KRA to track how many liters you have sold. It’s an offense to sell packaged water without that small sticker and can attract about a 1 million penalty. To learn more about taxes you can visit KRA offices or website. They will assist you.
Excise duty license registration is ksh 50,000.
You are also required to have a security bond of ksh300,000. This you deposit to your bank that gives you the bond. It is to cater in the event that you fail to file your excise duty.
The amount is refundable after a certain period of time. Alternatively, you can look for an insurer who can issue you with a security bond. I find this option much cheaper esp for a start-up.
7. Sourcing accessories: Look for a reliable source of water bottles, labels, top security seals, shrink papers, sealing gun and any other accessory that you may require.
8. Hurrayy!! With the stamps, standard mark of quality, good staffs/operators and good marketing strategies, you are good to go.
On how to improve your sales, you can use different marketing methods; physical marketing, use of social media, or source digital marketing services from one of our partners Trendwi. Posters and word of mouth cannot be ignore too.
Is there any information in regards to how to begin water packaging business that I have left? Or that I have misled the reader? Kindly feel free to leave a comment, you might help someone somewhere. Let’s share the information.
Are you wondering where to source your water equipment? Grobsol Technical Solutions will sort you out. Visit/contact us for free consultation.
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