How to Import from
UK to Kenya.
Step-by-step import process, KRA duty rates, KEBS PVoC compliance, documents checklist, and one clear price shipping — written by the Triple A team with 8+ years and thousands of shipments on this corridor.
3 business days · Every Friday dispatch · Heathrow → JKIA
40–45 days · Weekly · Mombasa Port
Licensed in-house · Nairobi & Mombasa · No broker
Consolidate multiple UK orders, save on freight
one clear price
UK to Mombasa
Heathrow → JKIA
on arrival in Kenya
we deliver to
Two audiences. One corridor.
The UK–Kenya import corridor has two distinct groups. This guide covers both — because both matter to a successful shipment, and both search Google for different things.
Importing Goods into Kenya from the UK
You are based in Kenya — or buying on behalf of a Kenyan business — and you want to source goods from the UK. You need to know what duty you'll pay, what documents are required, how KRA customs clearance works, and how to avoid costly mistakes at Mombasa port or JKIA.
- KRA import duty rates and how they're calculated
- KEBS PVoC compliance and CoC requirements
- Documents required for KRA customs clearance
- How Azaanex handles your clearance in-house
- One Clear Price: no surprise charges on arrival
Sending Goods to Kenya from the UK
You are based in the UK — buying on behalf of a Kenyan business or family, sourcing from UK suppliers, or exporting commercially to the Kenyan market. Kenya is the UK's 73rd largest trading partner, with £1.4 billion in bilateral trade. The UK–Kenya EPA is progressively opening 82.6% of the Kenyan market over 25 years.
- Use our Southall warehouse as your UK consolidation hub
- UK exporter guide: EORI, EPA origin proofs & docs
- KEBS CoC inspection coordinated from Southall by us
- Weekly air freight from Heathrow
- Sea freight LCL from £2.95/kg — ideal for bulk
Why Kenya Imports from the United Kingdom
UK exports to Kenya totalled over £818 million in the four quarters to Q1 2025. Kenya's businesses, diaspora, and consumers import electronics, machinery, vehicles, clothing, and online shopping. Under the UK–Kenya EPA, Kenya is progressively reducing import duties on UK-origin goods — making UK sourcing increasingly cost-competitive alongside already-superior product quality.
Phones, laptops, TVs from Amazon, Currys, John Lewis. KEBS PVoC required.
ASOS, Next, Primark, Sports Direct. Personal import & Nairobi retail stock.
Argos, John Lewis, IKEA. Furniture, appliances, kitchenware by sea LCL.
Cars, 4x4s, vans, spare parts. Right-hand drive, max 8 years. KRA CRSP applies.
Generators, tools, construction plant, farm equipment. Often 0% as capital goods.
Boots, Superdrug, vitamins, skincare. PPB approval for pharmaceuticals.
Wholesale stock for Kenyan retailers. Monthly sea freight at £2.95/kg.
Amazon UK, eBay, ASOS — use our Southall warehouse as your UK delivery address.
How to Import from UK to Kenya — Step by Step
From sourcing in the UK to delivery at your door in any of Kenya's 47 counties. Six phases, one team, one price, zero handoffs to unknown third parties.
Buy from any UK retailer, manufacturer, or marketplace. Use our Southall warehouse address (Unit Z01, 8A Canal Yard, Southall UB2 5NA) as your UK delivery address for Amazon, eBay, ASOS, Currys, or any UK retailer. We also collect from UK supplier premises anywhere in the country.
We receive, inspect, and verify against your packing list. Multiple orders from different UK suppliers are consolidated into one shipment — one bill of lading, one customs entry, lower cost per kg. 14 days free storage before dispatch.
We prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading to KRA specifications. For regulated goods, we coordinate the KEBS PVoC Certificate of Conformity (CoC) with KEBS-approved UK inspection agents QISJ and SGS — before the shipment departs.
Air freight dispatched every Friday from Southall London and flies from Heathrow every Monday — JKIA Nairobi in 3 business days. Sea freight departs twice a month from London Gateway to Mombasa Port — 40–45 days. WhatsApp updates from a named team member throughout. Not a bot.
Our sister company Azaanex Holdings Ltd files your Import Declaration Form (IDF) via KRA's iCMS system, manages duty assessment, and pays import duty, VAT (16%), IDF (3.5%), and RDL (2%) on your behalf — all included in your rate. Clearance at Mombasa Port or Nairobi ICD via SGR. Typical clearance: 5–7 working days post-arrival.
After port release, delivery to your address anywhere in Kenya. Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Thika — all 47 counties covered. Air: typically 1–2 days after JKIA landing. Sea: road from Mombasa or SGR to Nairobi ICD for central Kenya — faster and cheaper for Nairobi destinations.
Kenya Import Duties & Taxes — What You'll Pay to KRA
All goods imported into Kenya are taxed by KRA based on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value under the EAC Common External Tariff (CET). Duties are calculated per HS code — every charge is explained below.
| Category | Import Duty | Excise | VAT | IDF | RDL | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Cereals | 0–35%Essential goods lower | Varies | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | Maize flour, bread, milk often zero-rated for VAT. Some essential oils exempt from RDL. |
| Clothing & Textiles | 25–35% | 0–20% | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | Worn/second-hand clothing exempt from some levies. EIPL may apply under Finance Act 2023. |
| Electronics & Tech | 10–25% | Varies | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | IT infrastructure may qualify for exemptions. Finance Act 2025 updated excise on some electronics from July 2025. |
| Vehicles & Parts | 25% | 0–35%By engine size | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | Official vehicles exempt. KRA CRSP valuation applies. Right-hand drive only, max 8 years old. |
| Machinery & Equipment | 0–10% | 0% | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | Capital goods exemptions frequently apply. Correct HS classification is critical. RDL waived for registered manufacturers. Agricultural machinery often 0%. |
| Health & Beauty | 10–25% | Varies | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | Medical supplies and essential medicines often 0% duty and zero-rated VAT. PPB import licence required for pharmaceuticals. |
| Furniture & Home | 25% | 0% | 16% | 3.5% | 2% | UK–Kenya EPA progressive reductions apply. Certificate of Origin (EUR.1) required to claim preferential rate. |
Importing £10,000 of Electronics from the UK to Kenya
Scenario: A consignment of electronics (HS 8517–8525, 25% duty rate) with a CIF value of £10,000 after adding freight and insurance. This is how KRA calculates total tax on arrival — the same method our Nairobi team uses to estimate landed cost for clients.
Important: KRA calculates in KES at the CBK rate on the date of IDF filing. Figures above are £ estimates. For machinery and capital goods, import duty is often 0% — reducing total tax significantly. Use our free quote tool for a precise landed cost estimate for your specific goods. UK–Kenya EPA: qualifying UK-origin goods may attract lower duty rates — Certificate of Origin (EUR.1 form) required.
KEBS PVoC — Compliance You Cannot Skip
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme requires that most regulated goods are inspected and certified in the UK before they ship. A missing Certificate of Conformity is the single most expensive mistake on this corridor. Fines can reach KES 1,000,000 and goods can be denied entry entirely.
For shipments departing the UK, KEBS-appointed Pre-Export Verification agents are QISJ (Quality International Services & Inspection) and SGS United Kingdom Ltd. Inspections must be completed by a KEBS-sanctioned body — CoC from any other organisation will not be accepted at KRA clearance. Triple A coordinates directly with QISJ and SGS on your behalf. Included in our service at no extra charge.
Documents Required to Import into Kenya
Requirements depend on what you're importing, the declared value, KEBS category, and your importer profile. Azaanex handles all KRA-side clearance paperwork — here is what you need to provide or arrange.
- Commercial InvoiceFrom UK seller — goods description, quantity, unit value, total CIF value. Must match packing list exactly.
- Packing ListItemised contents — gross weight, dimensions, number of packages. Prepared by Triple A for every shipment.
- Bill of Lading (sea) / Air Waybill (air)The principal shipping document. Prepared by Triple A for every shipment.
- Insurance CertificateCargo must be insured with a Kenya-licensed insurer. Kenya law requires this for all commercial imports.
- Import Declaration Form (IDF)Filed via KRA's iCMS system by Azaanex. Triggers duty assessment and port release. Included in your rate.
- KEBS Certificate of Conformity (CoC)For regulated goods — issued by QISJ or SGS after UK pre-shipment inspection. Must be obtained before departure.
- Certificate of Origin (EUR.1)Required to claim UK–Kenya EPA preferential duty rates. Confirms goods are of UK origin.
- KRA PIN CertificateRequired for all commercial/business imports. Importer must be registered with KRA.
- V5C Logbook (vehicles)Original V5C + QISJ pre-shipment inspection certificate + KRA CRSP valuation required.
- KEPHIS Certificate (agricultural goods)Plants, seeds, soil, and agricultural products require Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate clearance.
- PPB Import Licence (pharmaceuticals)Medicines and medical devices require Pharmacy and Poisons Board approval.
Sending Goods to Kenya from the UK?
You don't need to be in Kenya to use Triple A. Our Southall warehouse is a UK-based consolidation hub — UK senders, UK buyers, and UK businesses can use us directly, with no Kenya-side contact required to manage the shipment.
Shop from Amazon UK, eBay, ASOS, B&Q, Currys, Screwfix, or any UK retailer — have it delivered to our Southall warehouse and we'll ship to Kenya. Buy from a UK wholesale supplier? We collect from their premises. Sourcing from a UK auction house? We handle collection and export documentation.
We coordinate KEBS compliance in the UK. QISJ and SGS inspections are arranged from Southall — you don't navigate KEBS from Kenya.
Hayes Road, Southall
UB2 5NA
- Open Mon–Fri 09:30–17:30 · Sat 09:30–15:00
- Accepts all major carriers — Amazon Logistics, Royal Mail, DHL, UPS, FedEx, DPD, Evri
- 14 days free storage before shipment
- Multi-supplier consolidation at no extra charge
- KEBS PVoC inspection coordinated from Southall
- Air freight departs every Friday from Heathrow
- Sea freight departs twice a month to Mombasa Port
Exporting Commercially from the UK to Kenya — What You Need to Know
Kenya is the UK's 73rd largest trading partner with £1.4 billion in bilateral trade. Kenya's infrastructure boom drives demand for UK machinery, vehicles, construction materials, and technology. Under the UK–Kenya EPA, 82.6% market opening over 25 years makes Kenya an increasingly attractive export destination for UK businesses.
Air Freight vs Sea Freight — Which Is Right for You?
One Clear Price. Both include KRA customs clearance via Azaanex. No hidden fees on arrival in Kenya.
- Southall warehouse receiving
- Export packing & airway bill preparation
- Air cargo Heathrow to JKIA Nairobi
- KRA clearance at JKIA via Azaanex
- Import duty, VAT (16%), IDF (3.5%), RDL (2%) included
- Human WhatsApp tracking updates
- Southall warehouse receiving
- Multi-supplier consolidation (LCL groupage)
- Full ocean freight to Mombasa Port
- KRA clearance via Azaanex — Mombasa or Nairobi ICD
- Import duty, VAT, IDF, RDL all included
- Port handling
- 14-day free Nairobi storage post-clearance
What's Included in Every Triple A Shipment
One Clear Price. No add-ons, no surprise charges, no third-party clearing agent invoice when your goods arrive.
KRA Clearance by Azaanex Holdings Ltd — Our Own Company
The most common source of unexpected costs in UK–Kenya shipping is the moment cargo arrives in Kenya. Most freight forwarders hand your goods to an unnamed third-party clearing agent at port. That agent issues their own invoice — sometimes for amounts never disclosed at the UK end.
We built Triple A differently. Azaanex Holdings Ltd is our own KRA-licensed clearing company — not a partner, not a subcontractor, not an outsourced broker. When your cargo arrives in Kenya, we still own the process. One accountable team, UK to Kenya.
Azaanex files your IDF via KRA's iCMS (Integrated Customs Management System) — the current KRA platform as of 2026, replacing the legacy Simba system. All duty, VAT, IDF, and RDL are paid from the rate you were quoted in the UK.
Import Challenges — And How We Solve Them
These are the real problems we have seen repeatedly across hundreds of UK–Kenya shipments. We know they exist because we've solved them for clients — some before they happened, some after.
Six Reasons to Ship with Us
“Tunatoa huduma kamili ya usafirishaji wa mizigo kutoka Uingereza hadi Kenya — bei ya £7.99/kg kwa njia ya anga na £2.95/kg kwa njia ya bahari, ikijumuisha forodha ya KRA kupitia Azaanex. Hakuna ada za ziada utakazolipa bandari ya Mombasa au JKIA.”
“We provide complete freight forwarding from the UK to Kenya — £7.99/kg by air and £2.95/kg by sea, including in-house KRA clearance via Azaanex Holdings Ltd. No extra charges to pay at Mombasa port or JKIA on arrival.”
💬 Wasiliana Nasi — WhatsApp NairobiImporting from UK to Kenya — Common Questions
Sea freight: 40–45 days UK to Mombasa Port. KRA clearance at Mombasa: 5–7 working days. Total : 45–55 days from UK receipt. For Nairobi and central Kenya, clearance via Nairobi ICD (via SGR rail) can be faster and cheaper than Mombasa road delivery.
Ready to Import from the UK to Kenya?
Tell us what you're importing — we'll confirm the shipping rate, estimate the Kenya import duty, and advise on any KEBS compliance requirements before you commit. Quote within 24 hours.
Triple A Global Logistics · Southall
UK to Kenya.
Fast. Clear. Reliable.
London Southall → Door-to-Door Kenya
- ✈ Air Freight from £7.99/kg — dispatched every Friday, arrives in 3 business days
- 🚢 Sea Freight from £2.95/kg — 40–45 day transit
- ✓ In-house KRA clearance — no surprise fees in Kenya
- 📦 Parcels, shopping, barrels & business cargo
Trusted by 1,000s of Kenyan shoppers & SMEs · No commitment
Current Rates — Incl. KRA Clearance
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