Located in East Africa, and situated on the equator, Kenya is bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. Known for its sunny and temperate climate, the major 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 relocating to Kenya or returning to Kenya after having lived overseas, you might be interested in learning more information about cargo shipping to Kenya so that you can bring your household goods and other personal items with you when you relocate.
If you are shipping cargo and other items to Kenya, you will want to begin by making sure to have the appropriate paperwork in order. A reliable and dependable cargo shipping company can assist you with all of the required paperwork. Some of the items that you’ll need for customs clearances purposes in Kenya include:
- An original passport
- Work permit for employment in Kenya
- Detailed inventory of all of your items
If you are a resident of Kenya who has been away and is returning to the country, you can ship household goods and personal items to Kenya without paying any duty fees, as long as you have lived outside of the country for more than 2 years. If you are moving to Kenya with a first work permit, you are allowed to import your household goods and other personal items to Kenya duty free. You must, however, import these items within 90 days of your arrival in Kenya.
Regardless of your citizenship status or other factors, when you are shipping cargo to Kenya, certain items are subject to duty taxes. For example, you are expected to pay duties and taxes on any alcohol, even if you are only importing one or two bottles of wine. Other items that you will have to pay a duty and taxes on when shipping to Kenya include:
- New items that have never been used
- Commercial goods that you plan to sell when you are in Kenya
- Aircrafts
- Computers
- Used machinery
Shipping Commercial Goods to Kenya
If you are shipping commercial goods to Kenya, any shipments with an FOB value that exceeds $5,000 USD, will be subject to a pre-shipment inspection. Check out the helpful handbook created by the Kenyan Embassy if you are interested in importing or exporting commercial goods to and from Kenya. It is also important to note that when you are shipping cargo to Kenya, some items are subject to an import license. For example, an import license is required for shipping the following commodities:
- Plants
- Soil
- Ammunition
- Drugs
- Precious stones and metals
- Live animals
Along with an import license, you’ll also need some important paperwork to file the customs declaration for shipping items to Kenya. Documents you’ll need for the Kenyan customs declaration include:
- Original signed supplier’s invoice
- Import Declaration Form
- Importer’s PIN Certificate
Exporting Goods from Kenya
Are you interested in exporting goods from Kenya? Before you can export items from Kenya, you’ll want to complete and file the customs export declaration paperwork. You’ll also need a commercial invoice and detailed packing list. If you are exporting certain items from Kenya, including minerals, wildlife products, fish, plants, and livestock, you’ll need to make sure that you have an export permit. You can learn more information about obtaining export permits on the official Kenya Embassy website.
Shipping a Car to Kenya
If you are moving to Kenya or plan to be in Kenya for an extended period of time, you might be interested in shipping a car to Kenya. It is important to note that Kenya is a right hand drive (RHD) country. Vehicles imported to Kenya must be right hand drive vehicles. Exceptions to this rule are sometimes made for special types of vehicles like 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 newer. For example, in 2012 a car must be at least 2005 or newer in order for it 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 Kenyan resident returning to the country, it is possible that you can 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 of age, and the vehicle must be registered in your name for at least one year before shipping to Kenya. You should also ship a car to Kenya within 90 days of your own arrival in the country. Some of the important documents you’ll 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 you want to bring a pet with you, make sure to obtain an import permit from the Kenyan Veterinary Department. You should also plan to have up-to-date vaccination certificates for your pets from your country of origin. While you might not be required to pay any value added taxes on bringing a dog or a cat to Kenya, you should be prepared to pay duty fees on pets. It is also important to note that birds cannot be imported to Kenya.
There is a lot to think about as you plan an overseas move to Kenya. A reliable cargo shipping company can help you with all of the country specific rules and regulations. You can get a fast and free freight quote from Cargo Experts, or you can call toll free 1- 866-994-7822 for more information.