How to Ship to Kenya from the US
Kenya is East Africa's commercial hub and a growing tech center — Nairobi is sometimes called 'Silicon Savanna.' US goods including electronics, health products, clothing, and specialty food are in demand. The Kenyan-American diaspora also ships regularly to family. Kenya has a developing but growing ecommerce infrastructure, and courier services (especially DHL) have strong Nairobi coverage.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) applies customs duties and VAT (16%) on imports. Personal imports under KES 45,000 (~$350 USD) may benefit from a lower flat rate or personal exemption, but commercial imports follow standard duty rates. Kenya has been tightening its import rules and enforcing tariffs more strictly — accurate documentation is important.
Typical 1 lb cost
$28-$55 USD
Typical transit
6-21 business days
Carrier Options to Kenya
DHL Express Worldwide
4-6 business days. Best Kenya coverage. Reliable Nairobi delivery.
FedEx International Priority
4-7 business days. Good service to Nairobi and Mombasa.
USPS Priority Mail International
10-21 business days. Final delivery by Posta Kenya. Unreliable — not recommended for valuable packages.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
5-8 business days. Good for commercial B2B packages.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 for items under $400 USD. CN23 + commercial invoice for items over $400. Include HS codes — KRA requires accurate product classification.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Narcotics and controlled substances
- ✕Firearms and weapons without Kenya Police licensing
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Pornographic material
- ✕Certain food products without KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards) approval
- ✕Goods violating Kenyan intellectual property law
Kenya-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Use DHL or FedEx for Kenya — Posta Kenya is unreliable for tracking and delivery of international packages
- 💡 Kenya VAT (16%) applies to most imports; duties vary by HS code (0-35% for most consumer goods)
- 💡 Kenyan postal codes are 5 digits; Nairobi codes start with 00100-00300
- 💡 Include a detailed commercial invoice — KRA is increasing customs enforcement
- 💡 Plan for 1-5 extra days for customs clearance; DHL's local brokerage team helps expedite this
Frequently asked questions
Other International Destinations
Create Your International Shipping Label
Free for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL international formats.
Create Label Free →