Tips and Guide to Shipping to Kenya

There are many rules and regulations when shipping to Kenya. On this page we will guide you if you want to know more information about Customs Regulations applicable while Shipping in and or to Kenya.

Documents required

•Passport (original) – (If issued within last two years the old passport is also required)

•Work Permit for non-Kenyan citizens

•Baggage Declaration Form C-18 signed by customer

•Bank Release

•Inventory in English, valued and detailed showing the number of packages and in triplicate

•Insurance Certificate

•Invoices for electrical items and serial numbers

•Certificate of change of address

Shipping to Kenya Customs regulations

•Customers must be present at customs clearance

•Goods are subject to 100% Customs verification

•Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free for returning Kenyan citizens provided they have resided outside Kenya for a minimum of two years and effects are imported within three months of owner's arrival

•Non-Kenyan citizens (first time arrivals) are permitted to import used household goods and personal effects duty-free within three months of Work Permit being issued

•Kenyan citizens who have resided for more than two years outside Kenya are not entitled to import used household goods and personal effects duty-free

•Household goods must have been in owner’s possession for at least one year prior to import. If new, duty will be charged at the current rates.

Shipping to Kenya for Dutiable / restricted items

•Alcoholic beverages

•New items (may require Import License and are subject to payment of Customs duties and taxes)

•Fabric pieces

•Trade goods or goods for sale or disposed to other persons

•Aircraft and vessels of all kinds

•Used machinery

Prohibited items

•Weapons, silencers, ammunitions, toy guns and explosives, including tear gas

•Firearms require a certificate to be issued by Nairobi Firearms Bureau for import

•Plants, seeds, bulbs, fresh fruit and vegetables (unless a permit is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture stating plants are free from disease)

•Pornographic material

•Drugs

•Political literature

Motor vehicles

Importation highly restricted and time consuming

First time arrivals to Kenya and returning Kenyan citizens residing outside Kenya for a minimum of two years are permitted to import ONE auto duty-free provided:

•Auto is more than three months old and has been registered in owner's name for more than three months

•Auto is less than 2,500 cc

•Auto is not sold within 12 months of import

•Owner's Work Permit has been approved for first time arrivals to Kenya

• Owner is 18 years of age or older

Documents required:

•Import Declaration Form (IDF), Clean Report (IDF) and Clean Report Finding (CRF)

•Authority to import vehicle letter

•Log Book

•Certificate of Registration (indicate engine and chassis number, first date of registration and engine capacity)

•Certificate of local value

• Passport (if issued within last two years, the old passport is also required)

• Customs C15 Form

•New autos require invoice bearing engine and chassis number

•Work Permit

Pets and Shipping to Kenya

•Import permit must be obtained from the Veterinary Department at Kabete, Nairobi prior to shipping

•Up to date Vaccination Certificate from country of origin must be provided on arrival

•Dogs and cats are exempt from Value Added Tax but are dutiableBirds and bird eggs are prohibited

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