Located in East Africa and situated on the equator, Kenya borders the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Known for its sunny and mild climate, the main languages spoken in Kenya include Swahili and English. With a population of over 40 million, this culturally diverse country is named after Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. Nairobi, the capital city, is the largest city in Kenya. The country is home to several shipping ports, including the Port of Malindi and the Port of Mombasa.
If you are moving to Kenya or returning to Kenya after living abroad, you may be interested in learning more about shipping freight to Kenya so you can take your household and other personal items with you when you move.
If you’re shipping cargo and other items to Kenya, you’ll want to start by making sure you have the proper paperwork in order. A trustworthy and trustworthy freight forwarding company can help you with all the required paperwork. Some of the items you will need for customs clearance in Kenya include:
- an original passport
- Work permit for employment in Kenya
- Detailed inventory of all your items
If you are a resident of Kenya who has been abroad and returns to the country, you can send household goods and personal items to Kenya without paying duty, as long as you have lived outside the country for more than 2 years. If you are moving to Kenya with a first work permit, you can import your household items and other personal items into Kenya duty free. However, you must import these items within 90 days of arrival in Kenya.
Regardless of your citizenship status or other factors, when you ship cargo to Kenya, certain items are subject to duty. For example, you are expected to pay duties and taxes on any alcohol, even if you are only importing a bottle or two of wine. Other items you will need to pay duties and taxes on when shipping to Kenya include:
- New items that have never been used.
- Business property you plan to sell when in Kenya
- aircraft
- computers
- used machinery
Shipment of commercial goods to Kenya
If you are shipping commercial commodities to Kenya, any shipment with an FOB value in excess of $5,000 USD will be subject to pre-shipment inspection. Please refer to the helpful manual created by the Embassy of Kenya if you are interested in importing or exporting commercial goods to and from Kenya. It is also important to note that when you ship cargo to Kenya, some items are subject to an import license. For example, an import license is required to ship the following products:
- seedlings
- I usually
- Ammunition
- drugs
- precious stones and metals
- live animals
Along with an import license, you will also need some important documents to file the customs declaration to ship items to Kenya. The documents you will need for the Kenya customs declaration include:
- Original signed supplier invoice
- Import declaration form
- Import PIN certificate
Export of goods from Kenya
Are you interested in exporting products from Kenya? Before you can export items from Kenya, you will want to complete and submit customs export declaration documentation. You will also need a commercial invoice and an itemized packing list. If you are exporting certain items from Kenya, including minerals, wildlife products, fish, plants and livestock, you will need to ensure that you have an export permit. You can get more information on how to obtain export permits on the official website of the Embassy of Kenya.
Send a car to Kenya
If you are moving to Kenya or planning to be in Kenya for an extended period, you may be interested in shipping a car to Kenya. It is important to note that Kenya is a Right Hand Drive (RHD) country. Vehicles imported into Kenya must be right-hand drive vehicles. Exceptions to this rule are sometimes made for special types of vehicles such as fire trucks, construction vehicles, and ambulances.
Some additional things worth noting about shipping a car to Kenya include the fact that vehicles shipped to Kenya must be 8 years old or younger. For example, in 2012, a car must be at least 2005 or newer to be allowed to enter Kenya.
When you ship a car to Kenya, it must also be inspected by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
If you are a resident of Kenya returning to the country, you may be able to ship a car to Kenya duty free. There are some standard rules you must follow for this to apply. For example, you must be at least 18 years old and the vehicle must be registered in her name for at least one year before shipping to Kenya. You must also ship a car to Kenya within 90 days of arrival in the country. Some of the important documents you will need to ship a car to Kenya include: Original passport
- Bill of lading
- Pre-Inspection Certificate
- Kenya Review Authority (KRA) PIN Card
- vehicle log book
Bringing a pet to Kenya
If you are moving to Kenya and wish to bring a pet, please ensure that you obtain an import permit from the Kenya Veterinary Department. You should also plan to have up-to-date vaccination certificates for your pets from your country of origin. While you may not have to pay any value-added tax when bringing a dog or cat to Kenya, you should be prepared to pay tax fees on pets. It is also important to note that birds cannot be imported into Kenya.
There is a lot to think about when planning a move abroad to Kenya. A reliable freight forwarding company can help you with all the country-specific rules and regulations. You can get a free, fast freight quote from Cargo Experts, or you can call toll-free 1-866-994-7822 for more information.