Whether you’re moving to Kenya as an expatriate or returning resident, bringing in your household goods and personal effects should be a hassle-free part of your journey. This way, you don’t have to buy everything you need as you settle in the country.
Air shipping is the fastest way to import goods to Kenya from overseas. Your items will arrive in days instead of weeks. Importing air shipments to Kenya works best for lighter shipments or where urgency matters most.
Here’s what to expect when importing household goods to Kenya via air:
1. Conditions for Duty Exemptions on Air Shipments to Kenya
Diplomats or first arrivals such as expats entering Kenya for a work contract are exempted from paying taxes on used household goods and personal effects.
Returning residents, on the other hand, must prove using their passports and foreign residency permits that they lived outside Kenya for the last 2 years for a similar exemption.
Other conditions include:
- Expatriates must have work permits that are valid for at least 2 years
- Diplomats must process a tax waiver known as PRO 1B for their personal effects while semi-diplomats get DA1
- All duty free personal effects must be shipped within 90 days from the date their work permits/ first entry (whichever comes first) are issued
- The 90 days for both can only be extended by the Commissioner of Customs in writing upon request, however the goods must be imported within 360days from the date of first entry.
- Individuals must activate their KRA PIN on KenTrade
- Returning residents must additionally have their KRA PIN active on the iTax Online eServices portal
2. Shipments Must Undergo Pre-Clearance Before Airlifting
Before your shipment can be airlifted, it’ll need to undergo a pre-clearance, which involves lodging an Import Declaration Form (IDF) and obtaining an exemption code and exemption approval.
Completing the pre-clearance process ensures your mover can clear the shipment within the two-day free storage window, helping you avoid additional port storage charges.
Port storage fees are calculated per kilogram (kg) of the shipment’s chargeable weight per day. Chargeable weight is the actual or volumetric weight of the package, whichever is higher. Please note that it’s nearly impossible to avoid incurring storage charges if your shipment is not pre-cleared before it’s shipped to Kenya.
Typically, it takes around 4 to 6 days to complete pre-clearance. This is how long your shipment will be held at the country of origin before airlifting.
3. Submit Cargo Clearance Documents via iCMS before Airlifting
KRA uses the Integrated Customs Management Systems (iCMS) to consolidate all existing customs systems to facilitate faster cargo clearance.
Various cargo clearance documents must be submitted via the iCMS, including:
- Import Declaration Forms (IDFs)
- Exemptions
- Packing list
- Valued inventory in foreign currency
- Passport copy – profile page and Kenya entry stamp (showing the date of your arrival)
The carrier must manifest your cargo in the iCMS to enable your clearing agent to lodge the customs entry before it’s airlifted to Kenya. A licensed clearing agent should be able to process your importation documents in the customs system and assist in clearing goods for you.
4. Railway Development Levy is Mandatory
The Railway Development Levy (RDL) is payable on all non-diplomatic shipments entering Kenya. Usually, 2% is levied on the customs value of your imports.
Once you pay the requisite fees and issue your customs clearing agent in Kenya with the official bank slips, Customs processes all compliant declarations.
5. Expect Physical Verification/Inspection of Your Cargo
Unless you’re a diplomat moving to Kenya, your cargo will be subjected to complete physical verification by KEBS and/or Customs.
Diplomatic shipments are exempted from inspection courtesy of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR). However, an approved PRO 1B form is required before clearance.
While diplomatic cargo is not physically inspected, it must still be sighted to confirm its presence in the Customs area.
6. Scanned Copies of Required Documents are Sufficient
Scanned copies of the required documents will suffice for air shipments to Kenya, except for the passport which Customs will require the original copy presented at their offices. However, at their own discretion, the customs officer in charge may request original documents.
First arrivals and returning residents need the following documents to ship their cargo:
- Copy of passport
- Copy of residence visa/work permit
- KRA PIN Certificate
- Original Air Waybill
- Itemized valued inventory
- Authority letter nominating a licensed customs clearing agent to act on their behalf
Diplomats require:
- Copy of passport
- PRO 1B forms
- PRO 1A forms (in case they’re importing alcohol)
- Itemized inventory
- KRA PIN certificate
7. Prior Approval Is Needed from the Commissioner of Customs If You’re Sending Two Shipments via Both Air and Sea
You might have the rest of your household goods coming to Kenya by sea around the same time you’re importing a portion of them by air. To ensure that one of your shipments doesn’t incur customs duty, you’ll need to get prior approval from the Commissioner of Customs in writing.
While such approval would most likely have volume/size limitations i.e air shipment should not exceed 100kgs or USD. 1,000 in value, it’s a privilege to be granted leeway to import two separate household consignments into the country.
Kenya allows only one consignment duty-free into the country – unless you can give solid reasons to be allowed an exception.
8. Schedule Delivery After Customs Release
Customs release is granted online after physical verification and inspection or sighting (for diplomats). The process of customs clearance in Kenya for air shipments is about 2-3 working days.
Once you receive the green light to remove your cargo from the customs area, you can arrange delivery to your residence with a reliable professional mover.
Nellions Moving and Relocations: Your International Moving Partner
Importing air shipments to Kenya in 2026 can be a tedious and challenging task, especially if you don’t know how to go about registering and lodging the right documents, customs clearance, and managing logistics. Nellions is committed to help with every step, from packing to final delivery to your residence.
Get your free quote today.
Email move@nellions.co.ke or call us at +254700000002 for your moving needs.
