Dangerous Goods UK to Kenya - what Triple A ships, what's blocked by KRA customs, and what can go by sea when air restrictions apply. Kenya-specific rules — not generic freight guides. Updated 2026.
There are three distinct categories: items Triple A ships freely by air and sea (including perfumes and fragile goods), items that are restricted from air but can travel by sea, and items that are permanently banned by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regardless of how they're shipped. Sending a KRA-prohibited item risks seizure of your entire consignment and potential legal action against the importer.
Every major item category, its air freight status, sea freight status, and KRA customs position for import into Kenya. When in doubt, contact us before booking.
| Item / Category | Air ✈️ | Sea 🚢 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfumes & colognes — any volume | ✓ Triple A Ships | ✓ Yes | Triple A ships perfumes by air. Many carriers refuse — we've arranged compliant handling. All volumes accepted. |
| Aerosols (deodorants, hairspray, sprays) | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | Pressurised containers blocked from air by IATA. Sea freight only under IMDG regulations. |
| Cooking & vegetable oils | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | Classified as flammable liquid by IATA. Popular by sea — barrel shipping at £160/barrel available. |
| Paints, varnishes & solvents | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | Flammable liquid classification. IMDG-compliant packing required. MSDS provided. |
| Lithium batteries — in devices | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Phones, laptops, tablets ship by air with IATA PI 966/967 compliance — Triple A handles this. |
| Lithium batteries — standalone/spare | ✕ No | ✓ Yes | Standalone batteries and power banks blocked from cargo aircraft. Sea freight only under IMDG. |
| Clothing, shoes & fashion | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | No restrictions. Air popular for urgent personal orders and online shopping forwards. |
| Electronics — phones, laptops, TVs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | KEBS compliance documentation required. Triple A handles KEBS PVoC as part of clearance. |
| Cosmetics & skincare (liquid/cream) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | KEBS Certificate of Conformity required for commercial quantities. Included in Triple A clearance. |
| Medicines & vitamins | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Personal quantities ship freely. Commercial pharmaceuticals require Kenya Pharmacy Board permit. |
| Alcohol — beer, wine, spirits | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Triple A does not accept alcohol on any service. KRA import controls and religious/cultural import restrictions apply. |
| Pork & pork-derived products | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Triple A does not accept pork products on any service. Kenya import restrictions apply — not accepted on any Triple A shipment. |
| Witchcraft paraphernalia | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Prohibited from import into Kenya. Seized by KRA customs. Triple A will not accept these items. |
| Narcotics & controlled substances | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Criminal offence under Kenyan law. Penalties include imprisonment. Absolutely prohibited. |
| Firearms & ammunition | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Without a valid Kenyan government firearms import licence. Triple A does not handle firearms. |
| Counterfeit & pirated goods | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Seized and destroyed by KRA on arrival. Legal action against importer. No exceptions. |
| Pornographic material | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Illegal to import into Kenya under the Films and Stage Plays Act. Criminal penalties. |
| Adult toys & sexual products | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Prohibited under Kenyan obscene materials legislation. Not accepted on any service. |
| Used mattresses | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Triple A accepts used mattresses by air and sea. Declare correctly on packing list. KRA import duties apply. |
| Vehicles (all types) | On Request | ✓ Docs Required | Sea freight (RoRo) is standard from £1,195. Air freight available on request for urgent, high-value or specialist vehicles. RHD only. Max 8 years old. QISJ pre-shipment inspection mandatory. V5C required. |
| Plants & seeds | KEPHIS Permit | KEPHIS Permit | Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) import permit and phytosanitary certificate required. |
| Food products — commercial | KEBS/KEPHIS | KEBS/KEPHIS | KEBS product standards certificate required for most commercial food imports into Kenya. |
| Tobacco & vapes / e-cigarettes | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Triple A does not accept tobacco or vaping products on any service. |
| Explosives & pyrotechnics | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Without Kenyan government explosives import licence. Not accepted by Triple A under any circumstances. |
| Radioactive materials | ✕ Blocked | ✕ Blocked | Requires Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) licence. Not accepted by Triple A. |
Many UK freight companies refuse perfumes and fragrances by air freight, citing flammable liquid classifications. Triple A has arranged compliant handling for perfumes and colognes — all volumes accepted on our weekly Friday air service to JKIA Nairobi. No 100ml limit. No sea freight wait.
These items are prohibited from import into Kenya by law. Shipping them risks seizure of everything in the consignment — not just the offending item — plus destruction, fines, and criminal prosecution. Triple A will not accept these on any service.
Items that can't fly under IATA regulations can travel safely by sea under IMDG rules. Our sea freight service from £2.50/kg ships to Mombasa in 40–45 days — all-inclusive, KRA clearance via Azaanex, door-to-door Kenya delivery.
Whether your batteries can fly depends entirely on whether they're installed in a device. Triple A handles all IATA compliance documentation as part of your shipment.
We screen every shipment before it leaves our Southall warehouse. If something needs documentation, we tell you at booking — not after your cargo lands in Kenya.
Use our Southall warehouse as your UK delivery address when shopping from any retailer — whether you're buying everyday essentials, online shopping from Amazon, eBay, or ASOS, or ordering for Christmas, Eid, Black Friday, Boxing Day, Ramadan, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, or back-to-school season. Unit Z01, Canal Yard, Hayes Road, Southall, UB2 5NA.
Many UK freight companies hand your shipment to unknown third-party clearing agents in Kenya — meaning an unexpected bill arrives after your goods land. Triple A works exclusively with Azaanex Holdings Ltd, our named KRA-licensed partner at both JKIA and Mombasa Port. All duties included in your quoted rate. You pay once. Nothing more at the airport.
Tell us what you're sending and we'll confirm within the hour — air or sea, documentation needed, all-inclusive rate. No guesswork.
Get Priority Handling + Free Shipping Consultation on your first booking.
No hidden fees. No delays. Just reliable cargo to Kenya.