Kenya - Import/Export Process

This is the latest in a series of posts dealing with import and export processes for African countries. All information courtesy of AGS Frasers.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE / TIMEFRAME: 

 Sea shipments  8 to 12 working days*
 Air shipments  2 to 4 working days*

*providing all requested documents have been submitted to AGS Frasers Kenya 


DOCUMENTATION:

Kenyan Returning Citizen

 Original and valid passport used for the last 2 years + OBL/AWB
 PIN certificate (Personal Identification Number, also called Taxpayer Registration Certificate)
 Packing list, valued inventory  To be granted duty free import, the returning citizen must have been abroad for more than 2 years and must not have visited Kenya for more than 90 days during the last 2 years. The shipper must be in Kenya at the time of clearance.

Expatriate 

 Original valid passport + OBL/AWB
 First original 2 years entry permit (work permit)
 PIN certificate
 Packing list, valued inventory  The expatriate does not need to be in the country to submit his work permit application (1 to 2 months). The goods must be imported within 90 days from the approval of the work permit. The expat must be in Kenya to have the passport endorsed with the work permit.

Diplomat

 Original Pro1b exemption approval document
 Copy of original and valid passport + OBL/AWB
 Importer’s PIN certificate  Packing list  The diplomat must be in the country for the exemption certificate application (2 to 3 weeks) and when the shipment arrives.

DETAILED PROCESS FOR SEA SHIPMENTS: 

Step 1 - 1 to 2 days
We present the OBL and the client’s passport, locally collect invoices from the shipping line after the shipment’s arrival, pay invoices and collect the proofs of payment.

Step 2 - 3 to 7 days 
We present the OBL, passport and payment receipts and wait for the delivery order from customs (1-2 days). Meanwhile, the container is offloaded from the vessel and transferred by road to a Container Freight Station (CFS) outside the port, but within the environs of Mombasa. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) nominates the CFS to which each vessel’s containers are transferred. We have made it a practice to nominate all our containers to one particular CFS known as AWANAD (please indicate ''Goods in transit to Awanad'' on the BL). The container is transferred within 2 to 5 days if there is no congestion at the port.

Step 3 - 2 days 
The CFS arrange the containers to be transferred to their yards. Each CFS has a customs station at which clearance takes place. The premises are safe and under 24 hour police and CCTV surveillance. All shipments will be inspected, except Diplomatic goods with an approved Pro1b document.

Step 4 - 2 days 
Container is sent to Nairobi by truck once inspection is completed and shipment is released from customs.


IMPORTANT 

 Mombasa is the busiest port in Eastern Africa, it is therefore quite overwhelmed and operations are slow.
 We strongly advise that sea shipments are sent to POE Mombasa.
 For shipments sent to TOE Nairobi an additional 2 to 3 weeks transit time are to be expected.
 Kenya has very strict regulation on the importation of vehicles. Please check with your office.
 Lift vans must be fumigated.


Time frame for export shipments from Nairobi: 

Sea shipments  6 to 7 days
Air shipments  4 to 5 days


AGS FRASERS KENYA

 Established in 1995
 1,200m2 storage capacity
 5 fully owned vehicles
 38 staff members for service in English, French and Spanish

Our Services
 Customised solutions for local, national, office and international moves
 Packing and crating services
 Export and import customs clearance
 Short- and long-term storage
 Comprehensive relocation services/records management

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