Customs Information


Kenya - Diplomat

Kenya
CLEARANCES UNDER DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY - NOTE SOME ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 3 OR 6 MONTHS DURING WHICH TIME THE GOODS MUST HAVE ARRIVED/CLEARED - IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSIGNEE TO BE AWARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS.

 CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • Descriptions must be fully covered on the Pro 1 A or Pro 1 B Forms.
  • Diplomatic Effects are not subject to Customs Verification.
  • Consignee must be present in the country as the original passport or Laissez Passer is required for the duration of the clearance Process
  • Make & model number, along with value and weight must be declared for all electronic items (along with size of the TV screen eg 21”). Items that are not standard household goods effects such as a piano must also be declared.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR CLEARANCE OF DIPLOMATIC USED HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL EFFECTS INTO KENYA
  • Original Passport / Lazzez-Passer with re-entry stamp endorsed therein
  • Valued Packing List
  • Numbered Packing List
  • Customs Declaration C 18 Form (Provided by SDV Transami) duly signed by consignee.
  • Endorsed Original Bills of Lading or Air Way Bill
  • Non-Negotiable copy Bill of Lading
  • Copy of Income Tax Pin Certificate
  • Pro 1 A Form* (Application for authority to purchase or import Duty-Free liquor and tobacco by entitled foreign personnel in Kenya).
  • Pro 1 B Form* (Application for authority to purchase or import Duty-Free Goods - except liquor and tobacco by entitled foreign personnel in Kenya).
    *Pro 1 A and B Forms
  • To apply consignee must have valued packing lists and copies of original Bills of Lading and/or Air Way Bills.
  • Applied for by relevant resident Diplomatic Mission to the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi

MOTOR VEHICLES

  • MUST SEEK FURTHER INFORMATION FROM SDV TRANSAMI REGARDING PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION PROCESS FOR USED VEHICLES
  • Any vehicles that are eight (8) years and over and all left hand drive vehicles are prohibited and cannot be imported into Kenya.
  • Original Passport/Laissez passer with the Kenyan entry stamp endorsed therein.
  • Original Log Book / Car Identity Documents from the appropriate authority with full details relating to vehicle. If not in English a translation of the same approved by the relevant Embassy / High Commission will be required.
  • If the vehicle is new the original supplier's invoice will also be required.
  • 2 Endorsed Original Bills of Lading or Air Way Bill which must show engine and chassis No's, make, model and engine c.c.
  • Non-Negotiable Bill of Lading
  • Pro 1 B Form
  • Original Income Tax Pin Certificate
  • Certificate of Road Worthiness following pre-shipment inspection at Origin.
  • KES 10,000.00 Govt of Kenya Processing Fee

REGULATIONS

  • Used vehicles imported into Kenya from the UK, South Africa, Japan, Singapore and the UAE must be inspected at origin by the Government of Kenya appointed Inspecting Agent and a certificate of road worthiness issued. If this is not done at origin - client will have to pay a penalty fee of 15% of the CIF Value of the vehicle, plus demurrage and port charges as a result of delayed clearance. Inspection Fee of USD163.00 is payable at origin. For further information please refer to the Kenya Bureau of Standards Website www.kenyapovc.com. Used vehicles from other countries will be inspected in Kenya.
  • Full details of vehicle must be clearly stated on Pro 1 B, this includes the engine and chassis numbers, make, model and engine c.c.
  • If containerized client will have to present vehicle to customs so the can check vehicle details. 
  • Client must be present in Kenya as the original passport/laissez passer is required for the duration of the clearance process.
  • Any vehicles that are 8 years and over and all left hand drive vehicles are prohibited and cannot be imported into Kenya.
  • Tinted windows are prohibited and must be replace prior to export to Kenya. 
  • Bull bars that were not part of the original specification and fitted after purchase are illegal and must be removed prior to export to Kenya.
  • Vehicle must have seating capacity of less than 9

PETS

  • An import permit must be obtained from the Veterinary Department at Kabete, Nairobi prior to shipping
  • Up to date Vaccination Certificates from country of origin must be provided on arrival. Note rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old at the time of import
  • Dogs and cats are exempt from VAT but are dutiable at 20%  of the CIF Value of the pet

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • Weapons, including firearms (firearm certificate issued by the Kenyan Firearms Office is required)
  • Wild flora and fauna (plant import permit is required)
  • Birds and their products (sanitary import permit issued by the Director of Veterinary Services is required for the import of birds from countries affected by bird flu)
  • The following items may qualify for free import with the limits indicated by persons 16 years and older:
    • Cigarettes (200), cigars (50)
    • Tobacco (1/2 pound)
    • Alcoholic beverages (1 bottle)
    • Perfume (1 pint)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Game trophies
  • Drugs
  • Fruit
  • Explosives
  • Counterfeit currency
  • Gambling machines
  • Pornographic or obscene literature (books, articles, videos, etc.)
  • Animal traps
  • Imitation firearms
  • Alcohol and other spirits
  • Precious metals and stones