Box Shipping - Import Regulations in Kenya

Import Regulations in Kenya

The required documents are passport (original); 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.

The consignee must be present at customs clearance. The goods are subject to 100% Customs verification. Personal effects and used household goods 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. Those 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. The household goods must have been in owner’s possession for at least one year prior to import. Otherwise, duty will be charged at the current rates.

The dutiable/restricted items are 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.

The next items are prohibited to import: 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; and political literature.