International · KE

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

How long does shipping to Kenya take?
DHL/FedEx: 4-7 business days to Nairobi. USPS via Posta Kenya: 10-21+ business days and often unreliable. Customs clearance adds 1-5 days via all channels.
What are Kenyan import duties?
Kenya applies import duties (0-35% depending on product), 16% VAT, and other levies (railway development levy, import declaration fee). Total import burden is typically 25-50% for consumer goods.
Is Posta Kenya reliable for international packages?
Posta Kenya has significant reliability issues for international deliveries — packages can be delayed weeks or go missing. For anything valuable, use DHL or FedEx exclusively.
Can I ship electronics to Kenya?
Yes. Electronics are popular imports in Kenya. They face import duty (0-15% for most electronics) plus 16% VAT. Declare accurate values and use courier services for reliable delivery.
What is the postal code format for Nairobi?
Nairobi postal codes are 5 digits starting with 001 (e.g., 00100 for Nairobi GPO, 00200 for City Square). Always include the full 5-digit code and 'Kenya' as the country.

Other International Destinations

BB
Barbados
PR
Puerto Rico (US Territory)
CA
Canada
GB
United Kingdom
MX
Mexico
DE
Germany

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