Customs Regulations in 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

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• 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.

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

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

• 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