Kenya Customs Regulations

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

• CUSTOMER 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.

• 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
• All computers whether new or old (except under diplomatic status) or unless imported by a student who is studying computer studies

• 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

• 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

• 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 dutiable
• Birds and bird eggs are prohibited

NOTE - Customs regulations of Kenya are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to Kenya (this destination )and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, Movers.com cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate before you make your move to Kenya.