Importing to Kenya

Expanding your business into Kenya opens access to East Africa’s largest economy and a growing regional logistics hub. However, the import process involves layered taxes, complex documentation, and pre-shipment verification that require careful compliance.

VAT: 16% on CIF value
Duties: 0% – 100% (average ~25%)

Additional Levies:
Import Declaration Fee (IDF): 2.25% – 3.5%
Railway Development Levy (RDL): 1.5% – 2%

Restricted Items: Require CoC via PVoC & ISM
Quarantine rules on plants, animals, seeds
Licenses needed for health, security & environmental imports

Documentation: IDF, customs declaration, CoC, ISM, invoices, bill of lading/airway bill, certificate of origin, permits, PIN certificate

Non-working days: Saturday, Sunday & public holidays

Lead times: 2–4 weeks depending on inspections

Best carrier option: Sea freight via Mombasa (bulk); air/courier for urgent loads

Prominent Languages: English, Swahili

Trade Pain Points and Possibilities

Importing to Kenya presents challenges including delays from mandatory pre-shipment inspections (PVoC), complex licensing requirements, and frequent documentation errors. Businesses often face a high cumulative tax burden due to layered levies (VAT, duties, IDF, RDL), while clearance delays at Mombasa port require reliance on licensed clearing agents.

Our Import Solution

IBSINT provides full IOR (Importer of Record) services in Kenya, managing PVoC, CoC, and ISM compliance on your behalf. We prepare accurate documentation, handle VAT/duty/levy payments, and work directly with licensed customs agents through the SIMBA system. Our solutions minimize clearance delays, reduce risk of fines, and ensure transparent cost management for smooth cargo entry into Kenya.

About the Country

Kenya is East Africa’s leading trade hub, with Mombasa port as the main maritime gateway and Nairobi as a key logistics center. Its growing economy attracts international trade but requires compliance with stringent import regulations, layered levies, and health/security standards. With IBSINT as your partner, businesses can expand into Kenya confidently, navigating complex customs and regulatory processes with ease.

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