How to Import from UK to Kenya
How to Import Goods from the UK to Kenya
A complete, accurate guide to importing goods from the UK to Kenya — covering KRA customs duty, KEBS PVoC compliance, shipping options, required documents, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost businesses thousands of shillings at Mombasa port.
🇬🇧 UK sender? Call or WhatsApp our London Southall team: +44 7800 648 660
Why Kenyans Import from the UK
The UK is one of Kenya's most important trading partners. UK exports to Kenya totalled over £818 million in the four quarters to Q1 2025. Businesses, diaspora, and individual consumers in Kenya import everything from machinery and electronics to clothing, vehicles, and online shopping. Under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the UK provides duty-free, quota-free access for Kenyan goods, and Kenya is gradually liberalising tariffs on UK imports — making sourcing from the UK increasingly attractive for Kenyan businesses.
Electronics & Tech
Phones, laptops, tablets, TVs from Amazon, Currys, John Lewis. KEBS PVoC certificate required.
Import duty: 0–25%Clothing & Fashion
ASOS, Next, Primark, Sports Direct. Popular for both personal import and resale businesses.
Import duty: 25%Home & Furniture
Argos, John Lewis, IKEA. Furniture, appliances, kitchenware shipped by sea freight.
Import duty: 0–25%Vehicles & Parts
Cars, 4x4s, vans, spare parts. Right-hand drive, max 8 years old. KRA duty applies.
Import duty: 25% + exciseMachinery & Equipment
Industrial machinery, generators, tools. Often duty-exempt if classified as capital goods.
Import duty: 0–10%Health & Beauty
Boots, Superdrug, pharmacy products. Vitamins, supplements, skincare, medical supplies.
Import duty: 0–25%Business Stock
Retail and wholesale stock for Kenya-based businesses. Regular sea freight saves cost.
Duty varies by HS codeOnline Shopping
Amazon, eBay, ASOS — shop from any UK retailer using our Southall warehouse address.
Import duty: variesHow to Import Goods from the UK to Kenya — Step by Step
From finding a UK supplier to receiving your goods in Nairobi or Mombasa — here is the complete import process.
Source Your Goods in the UK
Buy from any UK retailer, supplier, or marketplace. Use our Southall warehouse address (Unit Z01, Canal Yard, Southall UB2 5NA) as your UK delivery address for online shopping. For business stock, we can also assist with UK supplier sourcing.
Goods Arrive at Our UK Warehouse
Once your goods arrive at our Southall warehouse, we notify you via WhatsApp. We consolidate multiple orders into one shipment — saving you money on freight and reducing duty declarations.
Shipping Documentation
We prepare all UK-side export documents — commercial invoice, packing list, and for regulated goods, coordinate the KEBS PVoC Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from approved UK agents (Bureau Veritas, Intertek, SGS).
Shipped to Kenya
Air freight departs every Friday from our Southall warehouse — arriving JKIA Nairobi in 3–5 business days. Sea freight departs bi-monthly to Mombasa port — 40–45 days transit time. We match your goods to the right service.
KRA Customs Clearance
Our sister company Azaanex Holdings Ltd — a licensed Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) clearing agent — processes your Import Declaration Form (IDF) through the KRA Simba system and handles all customs duties, VAT, and levies. No external broker needed.
Delivered in Kenya
Air freight delivers to Nairobi (JKIA), Mombasa, or we arrange last-mile delivery anywhere in Kenya. Sea freight clears at Mombasa port with upcountry delivery available to Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and beyond.
Kenya Import Duties & Taxes — What You'll Pay to KRA
All goods imported into Kenya are subject to KRA taxation based on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value under the East African Community Common External Tariff (EAC CET). Here is every charge explained clearly.
| Tax / Levy | Rate | What It Applies To | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 0%–25%Average 25%. Sensitive items can exceed 25%. | All imported goods. Rate depends on HS code under EAC CET. | Importer (via clearing agent) |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | 16%Applied on CIF + import duty + excise duty. | All taxable imports. Essential goods may be zero-rated. | Importer |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) | 2.5%Min KES 5,000. Registered manufacturers pay 1.5%. | All imports. Covers customs processing through KRA Simba system. | Importer |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) | 2%Applied on CIF value. | Most imports. Funds railway infrastructure development. | Importer |
| Excise Duty | Variese.g. vehicles: 20–35% by engine size. Finance Act 2025 updated rates from July 2025. | Excisable goods only — vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, electronics (some). | Importer |
| Export & Investment Promotion Levy | 10% or 17.5%Finance Act 2023. Applies to specified goods only — check KRA list. | Specific goods listed on KRA website only. | Importer |
✅ UK-Kenya EPA Advantage: Under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, Kenya is gradually reducing import duties on certain UK-origin goods. If your goods originate in the UK (with proper Certificate of Origin), you may qualify for reduced tariff rates. Ask our team whether your goods qualify.
KEBS PVoC — Compliance You Cannot Skip
Kenya requires a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate for most regulated goods. Without it, your shipment will be denied entry or face a penalty of 15% of CIF value at destination. Here's what you need to know.
🔍 What Is KEBS PVoC?
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Pre-Export Verification of Conformity program requires that regulated goods exported to Kenya be inspected and certified in the country of origin before shipping. A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from an approved KEBS agent is mandatory for customs clearance — without it, goods are denied entry into Kenya.
For shipments from the UK, KEBS-appointed inspection agents include Bureau Veritas, SGS, and Intertek. Our team coordinates with these agencies on your behalf as part of our shipping service — no extra charge for coordination.
Documents Required to Import Goods into Kenya
All Kenyan imports require specific documentation for KRA customs clearance. Our Azaanex team handles the clearance process — but here is what you need to provide or arrange.
📄 Mandatory for All Imports
- Import Declaration Form (IDF) — filed via KRA Simba system
- Commercial Invoice (from UK supplier)
- Packing List (itemised contents of shipment)
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)
- Insurance Certificate (must be with Kenya-licensed insurer)
✅ For Regulated Products (KEBS)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from KEBS PVoC agent
- Import Standards Mark (ISM) for sensitive goods
- Test reports from ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
- Product registration (for repeat shipments of same goods)
🚗 For Vehicle Imports
- V5C logbook (original)
- QISJ/KEBS pre-shipment inspection certificate
- KRA CRSP valuation (current retail selling price)
- Proof of purchase / sale invoice
- Bill of Lading with engine/chassis numbers
🏭 For Business / Commercial Imports
- KRA PIN certificate (importer registered with KRA)
- Certificate of Origin (for EPA preferential duty rates)
- Import licence (for restricted goods — pharmaceuticals, weapons)
- KEPHIS certificate (plants, seeds, agricultural products)
⚠️ Kenya Insurance Requirement: All imports procured by Kenyan-based importers must be insured with companies licensed to conduct business in Kenya. Our team can advise on compliant marine cargo insurance as part of your import arrangement.
Shipping from the UK to Kenya — Air vs Sea
Two all-inclusive options. Both include KRA customs clearance through Azaanex — our own licensed clearing agent in Nairobi. No external broker. No surprise charges.
✈️ Air Freight
- Southall warehouse receiving & consolidation
- Air cargo to JKIA Nairobi
- Full KRA clearance via Azaanex
- All import duties, VAT, IDF, RDL included
- Door-to-door delivery in Kenya
- WhatsApp tracking updates
- Zero surprise charges on arrival
🚢 Sea Freight
- LCL groupage to Mombasa port
- Full KRA clearance via Azaanex
- All duties and taxes included
- Port collection or upcountry delivery
- Ideal for business stock & bulk goods
- WhatsApp tracking updates
- Zero surprise charges on arrival
Our rates are all-inclusive — shipping + KRA customs clearance + delivery. Unlike most freight forwarders who quote shipping only and leave you to find a Kenya clearing agent, Triple A handles everything end-to-end. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Shipping from the UK to Kenya for Businesses
Whether you're importing stock for a Nairobi retail business, sourcing equipment for a construction project, or running a regular UK-to-Kenya supply chain — Triple A is built for volume.
Retail & Wholesale Stock
Import clothing, electronics, beauty products, and homeware from UK suppliers for resale in Kenya. Sea freight at £2.50/kg makes regular stock runs cost-effective. We consolidate multiple supplier shipments into one container.
Industrial & Construction
Machinery, tools, generators, steel components, and electrical equipment imported from UK manufacturers. Machinery classified as capital goods often attracts 0% import duty — our team advises on correct HS classification.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
Medical equipment, consumables, and supplies from UK distributors. We handle KEBS compliance and any specialist import licences required by Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
E-Commerce & Online Sourcing
Source products from Amazon UK, eBay, brand websites, and UK distributors. Use our Southall warehouse as your UK address. Consolidate multiple orders and ship to Kenya at £6.99/kg air or £2.50/kg sea.
Automotive & Spare Parts
Vehicle spare parts, tyres, accessories from UK suppliers. Regular sea freight shipments for auto parts distributors. We advise on HS codes and duty rates for automotive imports.
Regular Supply Chain
Set up a regular monthly or bi-monthly import schedule. We hold your UK consignments at Southall and dispatch on your preferred shipping cycle. Fixed rates, reliable departures, consistent service.
Why Kenyan Importers Choose Triple A
We are not a broker or middleman. We own both ends of the journey — a physical UK warehouse in Southall and a licensed KRA clearing company in Nairobi.
Physical UK Warehouse
Unit Z01, Canal Yard, Southall UB2 5NA. Receive from any UK retailer or supplier.
Own KRA Clearing Agent
Azaanex Holdings Ltd — licensed KRA agent, Nairobi. Not outsourced.
Weekly Air Departures
Every Friday from Southall. Arrives JKIA in 3–5 business days.
All-Inclusive Pricing
£6.99/kg air, £2.50/kg sea. Shipping + clearance + delivery. No extras.
PVoC Coordination
We coordinate KEBS Certificate of Conformity for regulated goods.
Nairobi WhatsApp Support
+254 111 81 81 81 — Kenya-based team, real humans, fast responses.
Tunaelewa Mahitaji Yako
"Tunatoa huduma kamili ya usafirishaji wa mizigo kutoka Uingereza hadi Kenya — bei ya £6.99/kg kwa njia ya anga na £2.50/kg kwa njia ya bahari, ikijumuisha forodha ya KRA kupitia Azaanex. Hakuna ada za ziada utakazolipa bandari ya Mombasa."
"We provide complete freight forwarding services from the UK to Kenya — £6.99/kg by air and £2.50/kg by sea, including KRA customs clearance through Azaanex. No extra charges to pay at Mombasa port."
💬 Wasiliana Nasi — WhatsApp NairobiHow to Import from UK to Kenya — FAQs
Ready to Import from the UK to Kenya?
Get a full quote — shipping cost AND Kenya import duty estimate — before you commit. Our Nairobi team responds within the hour on WhatsApp.
Air: £6.99/kg · Sea: £2.50/kg · All-inclusive · KRA cleared by Azaanex
🇬🇧 UK: +44 7800 648 660 (Southall warehouse)
📧 info@tripleafreight.co.uk · 📍 Unit Z01, Canal Yard, Southall UB2 5NA
Contact Now
Unit Z0l, 8a Canal Yard Hayes Road UB2 5NA