How to Ship from the US to Kenya: Complete 2026 Guide

Kenya stands as East Africa's largest economy and is a burgeoning hub for e-commerce. Shipping to this growing market can open doors to new opportunities, but it requires understanding the logistics and regulations involved. This guide provides everything you need to know to successfully ship from the US to Kenya.

Why Ship to Kenya?

Kenya's tech-savvy population has rapidly adopted mobile commerce, creating a burgeoning demand for international products. This market is particularly hungry for electronics, fashion, and health items, which makes it a lucrative destination for exporters. Understanding the local context is crucial: Kenya is about 8,500 miles from the US East Coast, operates on East Africa Time (UTC+3), and uses the Kenyan Shilling (KES) as currency. English and Swahili are widely spoken, making communication relatively straightforward. Importantly, personal imports below KES 50,000 (approximately $385 USD) are exempt from duty, which can be a significant advantage for smaller shipments.

Carrier Options & Transit Times

When shipping to Kenya, you have several carrier options, each with its own balance of cost and speed. Choosing the right service depends on your budget, the urgency of your shipment, and the type of goods you are sending.

Express Shipping (3-6 Business Days)

For urgent deliveries, express shipping is the best choice. Carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS offer services that typically deliver within 3 to 6 business days. Although these services are more expensive, with rates ranging from $55 to $88 for a 1-pound package, they provide fast and reliable delivery, which can be crucial for time-sensitive goods.

Standard Shipping (10-21 Business Days)

Standard shipping services, such as those offered by USPS, FedEx, and UPS, are suitable for less urgent deliveries. These services take longer, between 7 and 20 days, but offer a more balanced cost-performance ratio. Rates for a 1-pound package range from $38 to $68, making this option ideal for non-urgent items where budget considerations are important.

Economy Shipping (21-45 Business Days)

For the most cost-effective option, economy shipping is available through USPS with rates between $18 and $30 for a 1-pound package. However, this service can take anywhere from 21 to 42 days, which is suitable for shipments where time is not a priority.

Customs & Duties

Navigating Kenya's customs and duties is a critical part of the shipping process. Understanding the applicable rates and taxes can prevent unpleasant surprises for both you and your customers.

Import Duty Rates

Kenya applies varying duty rates depending on the product category. For instance, electronics face duties between 0% and 25%, while clothing and textiles attract higher duties of 25% to 35%. Understanding these rates can help in pricing your products competitively.

Kenyan Taxes

In addition to duties, shipments to Kenya are subject to several taxes. The Value Added Tax (VAT) is 16% and is applied on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value plus duty. Other taxes include the Import Declaration Fee (IDF) at 3.5% of CIF and the Railway Development Levy (RDL) at 2% of CIF. These taxes significantly increase the total landing cost of goods, so it's essential to factor them into your pricing strategy.

Total Landing Cost Example

To illustrate, consider an item valued at $100 with a shipping cost of $30, leading to a CIF value of $130. With a duty rate of 25%, the total taxes, including VAT, IDF, and RDL, amount to $66.79, bringing the total cost to $196.79. This results in an effective tax rate of approximately 51% on the CIF value.

Required Documentation

Shipping to Kenya requires specific documentation to ensure smooth customs clearance. This includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and customs forms like CN22/CN23 for USPS. Additionally, an Import Declaration Form (IDF) is mandatory, and a Certificate of Conformity might be necessary for certain product categories.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Kenya has clear regulations regarding prohibited and restricted items. Narcotics, counterfeit goods, weapons, and pornography are strictly prohibited. Additionally, Kenya has banned plastic bags under 30 microns. Certain items, such as medications and food products, require compliance with local standards and certifications.

Packaging Guidelines

Proper packaging is essential to protect your goods during their long journey. Use heavy-duty, double-wall boxes with generous padding to cushion contents. Consider the climate—Kenya's heat and humidity can affect sensitive items, so use protective materials as needed. Secure packages with tamper-evident sealing and ensure labels are clear and in English.

DIM Weight

Dimensional weight is a common billing method used by carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL. To calculate it, multiply the package's length, width, and height in inches, then divide by the dimensional factor (139 for FedEx/UPS/DHL, 166 for USPS). You will be billed for the greater of the actual weight or the dimensional weight.

Cost-Saving Strategies

Several strategies can help reduce shipping costs. Utilizing atoship's discounted rates can save up to 89% on shipping costs. For shipments to Kenya, DHL is often recommended for its comprehensive network coverage. USPS is a good option for lightweight packages due to its affordability. Accurately declaring customs values and ensuring proper documentation can avoid penalties and delays. Consolidating orders into fewer shipments can also reduce costs.

Kenya-Specific Tips

Shipping to Kenya comes with unique considerations. English is widely spoken, so documentation in English is standard. Inform recipients about the high total taxes, which can be 40-60% of the product value. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requires conformity certification for some products. Be aware that USPS deliveries are handled by Posta Kenya, which can vary in service quality. Always include a local phone number as deliveries often rely on phone contact. Note that deliveries outside Nairobi take longer, and recipients might need to pay duties via mobile money services like M-Pesa. Finally, respect Kenya's strict ban on plastic bags.

Address Format

When shipping to Kenya, ensure the address is formatted correctly:

Recipient Name
P.O. Box / Street Address
Postal Code City
KENYA
Phone: +254 XXX XXX XXX

While many Kenyans use P.O. Box addresses, express carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS require a physical street address.

Tracking & Delivery

Tracking is a valuable tool for both you and your customers. DHL offers the best visibility in Kenya, followed by FedEx and UPS, which perform well, especially in Nairobi. USPS tracking is limited after the handoff to Posta Kenya. Be aware that express services may only attempt delivery once or twice, and self-pickup is common for USPS packages.

Ship to Kenya with atoship

Shipping to Kenya can be simplified with atoship. This service allows you to compare all carriers to find the best option for Kenya, offering discounted rates of up to 89%. Atoship also provides auto-generated customs documentation and the best available tracking visibility, backed by expert support for Kenya-specific shipping guidance.

Shipping to Kenya presents both opportunities and challenges. By understanding the local market, navigating customs, and choosing the right shipping options, you can successfully tap into East Africa's leading e-commerce market.