IKEA is hands down one of the most reputable furniture brands across the globe. It appeals to a wide variety of audiences with its fancy, stylish, and affordable home furnishings. If you are, therefore, looking for some high-quality, attractive, and durable furniture, don’t look past importing IKEA furniture.
Apart from its affordability, IKEA furniture also provides a perfect opportunity for one to be creative. You can purchase unfinished furniture or buy different parts and create a custom chair of your own.
In fact, the IKEA brand is so popular that the entire industry has developed hundreds of DIYs and hacks of IKEA products, all aimed at helping you customize and create the perfect furniture ideal to your preference.
Assuming you have already decided to import your IKEA home furnishing, there are a few things you need to know before buying the furniture. This guide will help you understand the process and get started.
But before we dive in, let’s learn a little more about IKEA.
About IKEA Furniture
IKEA is a Swedish multinational conglomerate that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances, and home accessories. It has been in existence since 1943 and has grown to be one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
The brand’s furniture is known for its durability, style, and affordability. IKEA designs its products with the average person in mind, making sure that they are easy to assemble and can be customized to fit any space.
IKEA furniture is also a popular choice for those who are looking to furnish their homes on a budget. The company offers a wide range of products, from sofas and beds to tables and chairs, all at very reasonable prices.
IKEA furniture is available in over 50 countries around the world. However, the company does not have any stores in Kenya.
So, where can I buy IKEA furniture? You might ask.
Well, if you want to buy IKEA furniture, you will need to either purchase it online or import it from another country.
Purchasing IKEA furniture online is a good option if you know exactly what you want and do not mind waiting for the furniture to be shipped from any of their recognized global stores. However, bear in mind that you will need to pay for shipping and import duties.
How to Import IKEA Furniture to Kenya
As already mentioned, IKEA furniture is not readily available in Kenya. You will, therefore, need to place an order with the company and have the furniture shipped to you.
The process is relatively easy. It is also safe – considering you are dealing with IKEA directly – because they take full responsibility for international delivery.
For example, IKEA has an International Sales Department in Delft, the Netherlands, which regularly ships IKEA furniture for apartment furnishing, hotels, homes, offices, schools, restaurants and more.
That means that even in Kenya, IKEA can do its best to ensure you get your product – in bulk or a small batch. It all depends on the kind of importer you are – whether you are buying for personal or commercial use.
That said, the procedure for importing IKEA furniture from a different country follows a few simple steps. This includes:
1. Check If You’re Eligible
IKEA only provides shipping to countries where there are no IKEA stores. To check eligibility, however, you should contact the IKEA sales department with your requirement, that is, order size and your destination to confirm whether they will support your needs.
2. Determine the Category of Your Products
At this point, you probably know exactly what kind of IKEA furniture you want to import. In this case, you can skip to the next point.
However, if you are looking for inspiration on what to buy, the company has a catalogue of inspirational products that might interest you.
They include:
- IKEA Office Furniture – Whether it is boardroom chairs, office desks, or waiting for bay furniture, there is a plethora of IKEA office products to try. It doesn’t matter the type of business; you can make your order and have it shipped to your destination.
- IKEA Restaurant Furniture – If you are looking to give your customers the ambience they deserve as they enjoy a hot cup of coffee, have a snack, or gather around for a full-course meal, here is some IKEA restaurant furniture to try.
- IKEA Home Furniture/Accessories – This is by far the most common category of IKEA furniture homeowners purchase. There is nothing You can order anything from wardrobes, clothing and wall racks, and wall shelves, to name a few. The complete retail inspiration is found here.
3. Choose Your Products
There are several steps involved in this process. They are as follows:
- Create an account with IKEA, either an IKEA family account or a business account
- Navigate to the products page and add items to your cart
- Confirm that your shopping list is in order
- Review the warranty details of your products before completing your order.
- Send your account details to IKEA International Sales Department. The company will then retrieve all the items you have added to your shopping cart and process them.
4. Receive Your Shipping Quote and Timeline
Once IKEA processes your order, they will send you a quote for the order from the Netherlands port to the port of Mombasa – or the Nairobi inland port. Here are the Terms and conditions for your consideration.
5. Fill Out the Customer Form
Upon acceptance of the quote received from IKEA, you will then be provided with a customs form.
The form includes all the practical details of importing IKEA furniture to Kenya including the shipping address and anything else that allows the company to move forward with your order.
6. Confirm and Pay
Before IKEA processes your order, you will first confirm the purchase and pay. Therefore, check whether everything is in order including the IKEA furniture you are ordering, the shipping costs, as well as the terms and conditions.
Once you have paid, your products will be collected, loaded, and shipped to Kenya.
7. Wait for Your IKEA Furniture to Arrive
Since this procedure is for ordering IKEA furniture to Kenya directly from the company itself, all that is left is to wait for your home furnishings to arrive.
Will I Pay Customs and Import Duty to Ship IKEA Furniture to Kenya?
Yes. You will have to pay customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on all IKEA furniture products you import into Kenya.
The amount of customs duty and VAT you pay will depend on the type of product and its value.
Of importance to note, however, is that Importing IKEA furniture to Kenya will attract a duty of 25% and VAT of 16%. Only the furniture imported by diplomats gets exempted from these charges.
Also, the customs duties and VAT are calculated on the CIF value. The CIF value is the cost of the product, the insurance, and the freight.
For complete guidelines on the procedures involved in shipping furniture from another country, this article about moving furniture from China to Kenya provides some great insights.
Can I Import IKEA Furniture from Other Online Stores?
The answer is yes. You can buy and have IKEA furniture shipped to Kenya from other stores, but there are a few things you need to put into consideration.
Importing IKEA furniture from other stores such as Amazon, Alibaba, Aliexpress, or eBay, among others, will most likely attract other charges apart from the shipping costs.
On top of the custom and import duties, you should consider your mode of shipping as it will largely determine your overall charges. For example, if you are buying IKEA furniture from Amazon, the company mostly ships via Amazon Global. Compared to dealing with IKEA directly, the charges may be higher.
In other instances, some people choose a third-party shipper. In this case, if the shipper is in the US, you will need to change your shipping address to the US address provided by the third-party shipper. The company will, in turn, ship your products to Kenya.
The same happens if you are shipping from a different company using an online store of your choice. Remember, however, that while using a third-party shipper, you will pay for the shipping costs.
The other option is to use a freight forwarder, which is a bit cheaper. But the downside is that it takes longer for your products to be delivered – usually between 4 to 8 weeks.
The best thing is that you can buy IKEA furniture from anywhere in the world and have it shipped to Kenya. But you need to put into consideration the shipping costs, import duties, and other charges that may be applicable.
How Much Does It Cost to Import IKEA Furniture to Kenya?
The cost of importing IKEA furniture from another country to Kenya will vary depending on the mode of shipping you choose as well as the weight and size of the furniture.
The easiest mode of shipping IKEA furniture from another country to Kenya is via air freight. This is because it is the fastest option. If you are ordering from Amsterdam, for instance, your furniture will be delivered within 2 to 3 weeks.
However, it is also the most expensive option, which leaves sea freight as the second option. This is the most economical option. However, it is also the slowest option, and your furniture will be delivered within 4 to 8 weeks.
Also bear in mind that if you are using a third-party shipper or a freight forwarder, the shipping costs will be higher. And if you are buying multiple pieces of furniture, the shipping costs will also increase.
It is therefore important to compare the different shipping options before making a purchase. This will help you determine the most cost-effective option for shipping IKEA furniture to Kenya.
How to Prepare IKEA Furniture for Importation
Although this point mainly goes to the shipper, it is also important to consider them, especially when moving them from one location to another within Kenya.
As such, take the following precautions:
- Wrap all sharp edges with bubble wrap or packing tape. This will prevent the furniture from being damaged during transit.
- Secure all loose parts with packing tape. This will prevent them from getting lost during transit.
- If possible, disassemble the furniture and pack it in smaller boxes. This will make it easier to transport and will also prevent the furniture from being damaged during transit.
- Label all of the boxes with the name of the contents and your contact information. This will help the shipping company to identify the contents of the boxes in case they are lost during transit.
- Take measurements of the furniture and the boxes. This will help you to determine the size of the shipping container you need.
- Make sure that the furniture is clean and free of dust and dirt. This will help to prevent the furniture from being damaged during transit.
- If you are using a third-party shipper, make sure to get a quote for the shipping costs before making a purchase. This will help you budget for the shipping costs.
- If you are using a freight forwarder, make sure to schedule the delivery date in advance. This will help to avoid any delays in the delivery of your furniture.
- It is advisable to insure the shipment. This will help to protect your investment in case the furniture is lost or damaged during transit.
Assembling Your IKEA Furniture
Once the furniture arrives, you will need to assemble it on your own or hire a professional to do it for you.
If you choose to assemble the furniture on your own, you can follow the instructions provided in the IKEA manual.
However, the process can be quite daunting due to the number of moving pieces involved. This is why enlisting the help of a professional is highly recommended.
Nellions Moving and Relocations is a good place to start. The company’s furniture installation service ensures that your furniture is safely unpacked and set up in your new premises exactly the way you desire.
Nellions highly skilled carpenters and installers are capable of handling the complex nature of IKEA furniture which requires dismantling and reassembly during the moving process.
So, if you do not want to risk damaging your IKEA furniture before you use them, reach out to Nellions for help.
Wrap Up
The process of importing IKEA furniture from another country doesn’t have to be complicated.
Following this guide will set you on an easy course. But of course, it is important to research your products early, and where you will order them. Evidently, ordering directly from an IKEA store is the easiest and the most cost-friendly option.
While at it, consider all the costs, based on the number of pieces of furniture you are purchasing, and the country of origin. This should help you budget in advance.
And once your furniture lands at the port, and the clearance process is done, Nellions can help transport your IKEA furniture to your home or place of business. They will even go a step further and help you assemble the furniture!
Reach out today to Nellions Moving and Relocations Today for a quotation and other helpful tips that will make importing IKEA furniture in future a straightforward process.
