Moving to Kenya

Moving Guide

Visa & Residence

Navigating the visa and residence permit landscape for Kenya depends significantly on your nationality. Citizens from some regions, like the European Union, might have different initial entry requirements or processing times compared to those from other parts of the world. Typical routes for long-term stays include work permits, family reunification permits (for spouses or dependents of Kenyan citizens or residents), study permits for those enrolling in educational institutions, or specific residence permits for retirees or investors. It's crucial to understand that requirements, application procedures, and necessary documentation can change. Always verify the latest information directly with the official Kenyan immigration department or your nearest Kenyan embassy or consulate before making any relocation plans.

Housing & Rental

Finding suitable housing in Kenya often involves a mix of online portals, local real estate agents, and word-of-mouth recommendations. Popular areas for expatriates in cities like Nairobi include Karen, Lavington, Kileleshwa, and Westlands, offering a range of apartments, townhouses, and stand-alone homes. For temporary housing upon arrival, serviced apartments or short-term rentals found on platforms catering to travelers are common. The typical rental process usually involves viewing properties, negotiating terms, and signing a lease agreement. Landlords almost universally require a security deposit, often equivalent to one or two months' rent, in addition to the first month's rent upfront. Ensure all terms, including utility responsibilities and maintenance, are clearly stipulated in your lease agreement.

What Affects the Cost of Your Move

The total cost of relocating to Kenya is influenced by several key factors. The volume of your belongings is a primary determinant; the more you ship, the higher the cost. Distance from your origin country to Kenya also plays a significant role, impacting freight charges. The season of your move can affect pricing, with peak shipping seasons potentially incurring higher costs. Accessibility at both your origin and destination, such as narrow roads or high-rise apartments without elevators, can add to labor and specialized equipment needs. Finally, any extra services you opt for, such as professional packing, unpacking, storage, or specialized handling for fragile items, will contribute to the overall expenditure. For an accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, a free quote is essential.

Timeline & Packing Tips

• 8 Weeks Out: Declutter & Inventory: Start decluttering ruthlessly. Decide what to sell, donate, or discard. Create a detailed inventory of items you plan to ship.
• 6-7 Weeks Out: Documents & Official Notifications: Gather all essential documents (passports, visas, birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver's licenses, medical records). Notify banks, insurance providers, and other financial institutions of your move. Arrange for mail forwarding.
• 4-5 Weeks Out: Utilities & Services: Arrange for the disconnection of utilities (electricity, water, internet) at your current home and research connection options for your new home in Kenya. If applicable, arrange for school transfers or pet relocation services.
• 2-3 Weeks Out: Packing Essentials: Begin packing non-essential items. Label boxes clearly with contents and the room they belong in. Set aside a "first-day box" with immediate necessities like toiletries, medications, important documents, and a change of clothes.
• 1 Week Out: Final Checks: Confirm travel arrangements. Ensure all essential documents are easily accessible. Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer if shipping.
• Packing Tip: Digital Backups: Scan important documents and save them to a cloud service or external hard drive as a backup.

Request a free quote on relocation123.com today to start planning your move to Kenya.

Visas, immigration & documents

Moving to this country often involves visas, residence permits, document translation/legalization and customs paperwork. Our verified partners handle the move itself; for visa or immigration help, send the request below and we'll point you the right way.

• Residence permit / visa (work, study, family)
• Document translation & apostille
• Customs clearance for personal effects
• Travel & goods insurance

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Customs & Import Rules

Moving to Kenya: Your Essential Customs & Import Guide

Relocating to Kenya involves navigating specific customs and import regulations. This guide provides a clear overview to help you prepare for a smooth transition, whether you're bringing household goods, a vehicle, or special items.

If you're relocating as a new resident

Bringing your household goods and personal effects to Kenya as a new resident is generally straightforward, provided you meet certain conditions. Your used items can often be imported duty and tax-free if you've owned and used them for over a year before shipping, and if you haven't resided in Kenya for more than 90 days in the past two years. Be aware that non-diplomatic shipments are subject to physical inspection upon arrival.

What you'll need

• Original Bill of Lading or Express/Telex Release (NVOCC telex release not accepted for FCL shipments)
• Scanned Copy of the Airway Bill (for air shipments)
• Packing List in English
• Original Passport (copies are not accepted by customs for non-diplomatic shipments)
• E-Residence Permit or E-Work Permit
• Consignee’s Kenyan PIN Certificate (obtained from the Kenya Revenue Authority)

Good to know

• You have a 3-month (90-day) period from your arrival to import your goods.
• Customs clearance cannot begin until you are physically in Kenya.
• All wood packaging material must adhere to ISPM15 specifications and be clearly stamped.
• Air shipments typically clear customs in 2-5 working days if all documents are in order.
• Sea shipments booked to Nairobi (ICD Embakasi) clear in Nairobi and take 5-7 working days.
• Documents for air shipments should reach your agent at least 5 days prior to arrival; for sea shipments, at least three weeks prior.
• Items that cannot be included duty-free: alcohol, foodstuff, pantry items, pharmaceutical drugs, new items, and certain leisure items (e.g., boats, unregistered off-road motorcycles) which are normally dutiable.

Returning Kenyan citizens

Returning Kenyan citizens importing household goods are exempt from needing an E-Residence or E-Work Permit. The same conditions regarding ownership and use of goods (over 12 months) and the 90-day residency limit in Kenya over the past two years apply for duty-free entry of used household goods.

What you'll need

• Original Bill of Lading or Express/Telex Release
• Scanned Copy of the Airway Bill
• Packing List in English
• Original Passport
• Consignee’s Kenyan PIN Certificate

Good to know

• The 3-month (90-day) import window applies.
• Customs clearance cannot take place if you are not in the country.

Diplomatic moves

Diplomats benefit from specific exemptions for household goods and vehicles. These shipments are generally not physically inspected, though they may be scanned. A special exemption document is required.

What you'll need

• Original Bill of Lading or Express/Telex Release
• Scanned Copy of the Airway Bill
• Packing List in English
• Original Diplomatic PRO1B Exemption Document or DA1 Fiscal duty exemption
• Detailed alcohol inventory list (for PRO1A tax exemption application, if applicable)

Good to know

• The PRO1B or DA1 document is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Finance by your mission in Kenya. It requires copies of the Bill of Lading/Airway Bill and an inventory list with values.
• You must be in Kenya and registered by your mission for the application and approval process.
• A 3-month (90-day) period is allowed for importation.

Bringing special items

Vehicles

Importing a motor vehicle to Kenya has strict rules, especially regarding age and ownership. Vehicles older than eight years from the date of manufacture are not permitted. Only one duty-free vehicle per person is allowed, provided it has been owned and used by the importer for a full 12 months prior to shipping. Left-hand drive vehicles are generally banned but may be considered with special permission.

What you'll need

• Original Bill of Lading or Express/Telex Release
• Original Passport (with exit stamps from origin and entry stamps into Kenya)
• Residence Permit or Work Permit (not required for returning Kenyan citizens or full diplomats)
• Approved PRO1B, Diplomatic duty exemption or DA1 Fiscal duty exemption (for full Diplomats)
• For returning Kenyan citizens: Original Registration Logbook OR Original Deregistration Certificate and Official Certificate of Export with a copy of the Original Log Book.
• Valid Roadworthiness Certificate (if shipping from Japan, UK, UAE, Singapore, Thailand, and South Africa).
• PIN Certificate (applied for through the Kenya Revenue Authority HQ).
• For vehicles from COMESA, EAC, or SADC regions: An Interpol report confirming the vehicle is not on the stolen list.

Good to know

• Nil duty/tax is collected if the vehicle has been owned and used for 12 months prior to shipping. Miscellaneous levies may still apply.
• The vehicle make, registration number, engine number, and chassis number must appear on the Bill of Lading.
• A "Certificate of Roadworthiness" from an authorized inspection center (e.g., JEVIC, QISJ) is mandated by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for all used personal road vehicle shipments.
• The 3-month (90-day) import window from taking up residence applies. Extensions can be requested in writing to the Commissioner of Customs Services.
• The non-diplomatic duty-free concession is for one personally owned and registered vehicle per adult with a valid driving license, up to a maximum of two qualifiers per family. The vehicle must not exceed 2500 Kgs tare weight.
• Customs clearance cannot take place if the importer is not in the country.
• New vehicles are dutiable unless covered by an approved PRO1B/DA1 exemption.
• Personally owned vehicles imported duty-free can be sold, but import duties based on a depreciated valuation will apply.

Pets

Specific regulations apply to importing pets, including health certificates and quarantine requirements. It's crucial to research these well in advance.

Restricted & prohibited items

Kenya has a comprehensive list of items that are either restricted (requiring special permits) or outright prohibited from import. It's vital to be aware of these to avoid severe penalties.

• Prohibited items include: All firearms and explosives (including air rifles, pellet guns, replicas, toy guns if realistic, ammunition, tear/stun gas, pepper spray, high-powered bows/arrows, large blades, fencing foils, antique firearms, collector's pieces), snares & traps, all wild animal products (hides, skins, ivory, endangered species, CITES restricted items), unwrought precious metals and stones, historical artefacts, false money and counterfeit currency, pornographic materials, ozone-depleting substances, matches containing white phosphorus, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, soaps/cosmetics containing mercury, lead-based paint, agricultural/industrial chemicals for explosives/poisons, armoured fighting vehicles.

Alcohol & tobacco

Alcohol and tobacco products are generally dutiable. For diplomatic shipments, a detailed alcohol inventory is required for a PRO1A tax exemption application.

Frequently asked questions

How long does customs clearance take for household goods?
For air shipments, 2-5 working days; for sea shipments to Nairobi, 5-7 working days, provided all documents are in order and the client is in Kenya.

Can I clear my goods if I'm not in Kenya?
No, for non-diplomatic shipments, the client must be physically present in Kenya for customs clearance to commence.

What is a PIN Certificate and why do I need it?
A PIN Certificate is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority and is mandatory for all non-diplomatic customs clearance procedures. It identifies you as a taxpayer.

Are new items included in the duty-free allowance for household goods?
No, new items are generally considered dutiable and cannot be included in the duty-free allowance for used household goods.

Is there an age limit for importing vehicles into Kenya?
Yes, all road vehicles more than eight years old from their date of manufacture are prohibited from importation into Kenya.

What if my vehicle is left-hand drive?
Left-hand drive vehicles are banned from entry, but special permission can be sought from the Ministry of Industrialization before dispatch.

For personalized assistance with your move to Kenya, please contact relocation123.com.

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