KenyaKenya

Travellers arriving in Kenya may bring 1 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Travelers 18+ may bring up to 1 L of spirits, wine or beer and 250 g of tobacco (or 250 cigarettes, 50 cigars). Personal-effects exemption is USD 500 equivalent. Goods above the allowance attract import duty (from EAC Common External Tariff), 2% Import Declaration Fee, 1.5% Railway Development Levy and 16% VAT.

250 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000 (USD) must be declared on arrival.

USD 50 (~USD 50). KRA applies a USD 50 de minimis on personal postal imports; consignments above this value attract duty plus VAT. Commercial imports require formal entry regardless of value.

VAT 16% standard; 8% reduced (petroleum products); 0% exports and essential foods. Applied to imports plus Import Declaration Fee 2%, Railway Development Levy 1.5%, and customs duty per EAC Common External Tariff.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Kenya's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control, a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (NACADA / police); Ivory and rhino horn (complete ban, CITES + domestic); Plastic bags (Environmental Management and Coordination Act 2017). See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms and ammunition (National Police firearm licensing authority permit); Pharmaceuticals (Pharmacy and Poisons Board registration; personal prescription exception); Agricultural produce (KEPHIS inspection). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Kenya accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control's agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Kenya may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Kenya's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Kenya.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Kenya Revenue Authority — Customs & Border Control via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.