Whether it’s for career opportunities, a new adventure, or a change of scenery, Kenya remains a premier destination for expatriates from all over the world. Based on observations by members of the International Association of Movers (IAM), Dubai raises the biggest number of relocation inquiries compared to any other city.
Moving from Dubai to Kenya marks a significant transition from a global business and financial hub to one of East Africa’s most dynamic economies.
Kenya and the UAE share a long-standing friendly relationship founded in history and deep cultural ties dating back to the Indian Ocean trade and the Arab Conquest of the East African Coast. Their bilateral relationship continues to grow through labor migration, trade, clean energy and carbon markets, and other economic partnership frameworks.
While Dubai offers a highly structured, ultra-modern lifestyle, Kenya provides a unique blend of cosmopolitan energy in cities like Nairobi and a deep connection to nature and heritage. Relocating from Dubai to Kenya requires thorough preparation and a clear understanding of Kenya’s administrative processes and social landscape.
Here’s what you need to know about moving to Kenya from Dubai.
1. First Arrivals Must Meet Conditions for Duty Exemptions on Household Goods and Personal Effects
First arrivals coming to Kenya for a new contract of not less than 2 years are exempted from paying taxes on household goods and personal effects, as well as one motor vehicle.
As a first arrival, your household goods and personal effects must also:
- Have been owned and used for at least one year
- Be imported within three months of the issuance of the work permit
- Not be sold, lent, or disposed of in any other way for the duration of your stay
However, as a first arrival seeking this exemption, you must NOT have resided in Kenya before your arrival other than on a temporary non-resident visa. Additionally, you shouldn’t have been granted a similar exemption before.
2. Returning Residents Must Meet Conditions for Duty Exemption on Household Goods and Personal Effects
Returning Kenyans moving to Kenya from Dubai can also enjoy duty-free importation of their household goods and personal effects provided they meet the following conditions:
- You must be over 18 years old if you intend to change residence and move back to Kenya
- You must have proof that you lived abroad for two years, and you must import your effects within three months of arrival
- You must not have visited Kenya for a cumulative sum of more than 90 days in the last 2 years before the last date you enter the country
- You must have a valid and original passport (if your passport was issued within the last two years, you’ll need to provide the older passport too)
Remember, Customs will check the entry and exit stamps on your passport to verify the length of your stay abroad. Additionally, any new items are subject to duty.
3. Diplomats Qualify for Duty Exemptions on Household Goods and Personal Effects
Diplomats who’ve been posted to Kenya also qualify for duty exemptions. However, they must process a tax waiver referred to as Pro 1B for their household goods and effects. Pro 1B form also exempts diplomatic goods from customs inspections.
Diplomats wishing to import alcohol must process the Pro 1A form and, like the Pro 1B, get it approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Apart from the Pro 1B and 1A (when applicable) forms, diplomats must also have these documents:
- An original passport
- A KRA PIN certificate
- A comprehensive inventory
While Kenya doesn’t inspect diplomatic shipments, diplomats must be present in the country for customs clearance when their shipments arrive. Diplomats must also process their Pro 1B and 1A forms while in the country.
4. Documents You Need to Import Household Goods and Personal Effects
You’ll need the following documents to import household goods and personal effects into Kenya:
- Original passport
- Original work permit or residence visa
- Insurance certificate
- KRA PIN certificate
- Original bill of lading/air waybill
- Packing list
- Bank release
- Form C-18 Declaration (signed)
- Power of attorney – gives the moving company you hire the authority to arrange customs clearance for you.
- Comprehensive valued inventory (3 signed copies)
Remember, if you wish to arrange for duty-free clearance of your goods, then you must express-mail your documents to your Destination Agent 15 days prior to arrival.
5. You Must be Present in Kenya for Customs Clearance
Whether a diplomat, expatriate, or returning national, you must be present in Kenya during customs clearance.
Remember, all non-diplomatic shipments are subject to 100 percent customs inspection and physical verification.
Customs will inspect your imported household goods and personal effects against your declaration. If there are no discrepancies, then your shipment will be released.
Since the owner of the goods must be present for customs clearance, your shipment may be moved into a customs bonded warehouse pending your arrival. However, the shipment’s storage should not exceed 12 months.
Bonus Tip: Expatriates don’t need to be in the country to submit their work permit applications. However, they do need to be physically present in Kenya to have their passports endorsed with their work permit.
6. Certain Items are Restricted/Dutiable, Others Subject to Radioactive Analysis
Some items may qualify for free importation, but limits apply. For instance, if you’re 16 years and older, you may import:
- 50 cigars
- 200 cigarettes
- ½ pound of tobacco
- 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages
- 1 pint of perfume
Kenya subjects all alcohol, cosmetics, perfumes, toiletries, and foodstuffs you import to radioactive analysis, which costs Ksh 3,000 per sample for every item.
Meanwhile, weapons, wild flora and fauna, and birds and their products require various types of permits or licenses, including:
- Firearm certificate
- Plant import permit
- Sanitary import permit
You may relocate with your pet to Kenya, but you’ll need:
- Vaccination records (including a rabies certificate)
- A veterinary health certificate
- An import permit
Kenya doesn’t consider computers to be household and personal goods. This makes them subject to tax and duties if they’re not part of a diplomatic consignment. You’ll also pay tax and duties on any new items you import, as well as fabrics.
Finally, certain items are expressly prohibited in Kenya. These include but are not limited to narcotics, animal traps, game trophies, explosives, pornographic or subversive literature, counterfeit currency, and gambling machines.
7. You May Import One Vehicle Duty-Free When Moving to Kenya from Dubai
Kenya allows diplomats, first arrivals with approved work permits, and returning citizens to import one vehicle duty-free. However, you must have met the conditions outlined in sections 1, 2, and 3 of this article to qualify. Additionally:
- The vehicle can’t be imported if it’s over 8 years of age
- The vehicle must have an engine capacity of less than 2,500cc
- You’re only allowed one duty-free car as a returning resident in your lifetime
- The vehicle must have been owned (registered in your name) and used for at least 12 months
- The vehicle can’t be sold or transferred to another person for at least 12 months if it’s imported duty-free
- You can’t import a left-hand vehicle (unless authorized for special purposes by the Ministry of Transport)
Vehicle registration can take up to 10 days beyond the clearance of your household goods and effects. Therefore, it’s advisable to send the shipment documentation to your agent at least one month before your vehicle arrives.
Doing so will reduce the possibility of incurring detention or demurrage costs, especially since the vehicle can’t be released from the port before it’s registered.
8. Documents You Require to Import Your Vehicle
When you’re importing your motor vehicle duty-free into Kenya, you’ll need the following documents:
- Original passport
- KRA PIN certificate
- Original work permit
- OBL – Original bill of lading
- IDF – Import declaration form
- COC – Certificate of Conformity
- Original logbook/Certificate of registration (in English)
The Certificate of Title and Registration (logbook) must be in your name. It must also state the vehicle’s chassis and engine serial numbers, as well as its capacity. As for the OBL, it must state the vehicle’s chassis and engine numbers, as well as weight, make, and model.
If your car is coming from Dubai, a pre-inspection must be done before shipping so that a Certificate of Conformity can be issued.
Avoid costly delays and pitfalls by learning about the documentation and crucial things you must keep in mind when relocating to Kenya with your used motor vehicle.
9. You Need to Sort Out Any Tax Issues Before Shipping Your Consignment
It’s advisable to check your tax compliance status with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) before shipping your household goods and personal effects.
The implication of domestic tax in moving to Kenya from Dubai is that people with issues such as uncleared taxes can’t register an import customs entry using their KRA PIN.
Therefore, returning citizens with unfiled returns, outstanding taxes, or other unresolved issues with KRA’s domestic taxes department can’t clear their cargo until all arrears are settled.
Similarly, it’s crucial that first arrivals register a KRA PIN whether they are importing goods via sea or air freight. There’s no way around getting a KRA PIN as goods must receive a release from Kenya’s tax authority before clearing customs.
10. Moving from Dubai to Kenya Takes 3 to 4 Weeks via Sea and 3 Days via Air
It’ll take about 3 to 4 weeks to move your household goods from Dubai to Kenya by sea. On the other hand, it takes about 3 days to do so by air.
Moving from Dubai to Kenya represents a major life milestone that deserves a seamless execution. Transitioning between these two hubs is simplified when you leverage expert international moving experts, allowing you to focus on your new beginning rather than the tedious tasks involved with relocation.
Best Movers from Dubai to Kenya: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Are you planning to relocate to Kenya from Dubai?
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