Logistics officer holding shipping documents at a port

How importing into Kenya works.

A plain-language guide for businesses and individuals bringing goods into Kenya: the steps, the documents, the charges and the common causes of delay.

7 chaptersAbout 10 minutesUpdated 2026
01

The import journey

Most imports into Kenya follow the same broad steps. The details depend on what you're shipping, how it travels and where it's going.

  1. Agree terms with your supplierConfirm the price, the shipping terms (Incoterms) and when the goods will be ready.
  2. Check requirements before shippingSome goods need a certificate or permit before they leave the origin country. Checking early avoids problems on arrival.
  3. Book the shipmentChoose air or sea, and full or shared container. We arrange the booking and shipping documents.
  4. Cargo arrives in KenyaSea freight usually arrives at Mombasa; air freight at JKIA in Nairobi.
  5. Customs entry is lodgedThe customs declaration is submitted through KRA's iCMS system, with any permits through KenTrade.
  6. Duties and taxes are paidThe applicable charges are calculated and paid, then the goods are released.
  7. DeliveryThe cargo is transported to your door, warehouse or onward regional destination.
02

Documents you'll need

These are the documents most shipments use. Your goods may need others; we'll tell you what applies.

Commercial invoiceWhat you bought, the quantity and the price.
Packing listHow the goods are packed, with weights and dimensions.
Bill of lading or air waybillThe transport document issued by the carrier.
Certificate of ConformityFor goods covered by KEBS standards checks.
KRA PINThe importer's tax registration number.
Permits, where requiredFor example, for food, plants, medicines or cosmetics.
03

Duties and taxes

The total cost of importing is more than the price you paid the supplier. The cost of the goods, insurance and freight together form the starting value, and the charges below are calculated from it.

Starting value. The cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value of your goods.
Import duty. Set by the East African Community Common External Tariff, depending on the type of goods.
Excise duty. Only applies to certain goods.
Import Declaration Fee (IDF) and Railway Development Levy (RDL). Levies charged on the customs value.
VAT. Value Added Tax on imports.
Note

Rates are set by law and can change, and some goods are exempt. We confirm the charges that apply to your shipment before you pay. To get a rough idea, use our landed cost estimator.

04

Standards and certificates

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) runs the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme. Goods covered by the programme are inspected in the origin country and issued a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) before shipping.

Goods that need a certificate but arrive without one can face inspection on arrival, extra charges and delays. Other regulators, such as KEPHIS for plants and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board for medicines, have their own requirements.

Tip

Ask us to check your product before your supplier ships. It's the simplest way to avoid surprises at the port.

05

Importing a vehicle

Kenya only registers right-hand-drive vehicles, and there's an age limit. Under the 8-year rule, in 2026 a vehicle must have been first registered in 2019 or later to be cleared.

Vehicles usually travel by Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ship or in a container to Mombasa. Duty and taxes are based on the vehicle's value as assessed by KRA.

Check first

Before you buy a vehicle abroad, use our vehicle import checker, and confirm the details with us.

06

Avoiding delays

Most delays come from a handful of avoidable problems.

!Invoice and packing list don't match. Quantities, values or descriptions differ between documents.
!Missing certificate. Goods that need a Certificate of Conformity arrive without one.
!Vague product descriptions. "Spare parts" or "accessories" makes classification harder.
!Permits applied for too late. Some permits take time; start before the cargo ships.
!Wrong consignee details. The importer's name and KRA PIN must be correct on the documents.
07

Explainer films

Short narrated videos, with captions and transcripts, walk you through the key topics.

Customs clearance Landed cost Full and shared containers KEBS certificates Importing a vehicle
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