Best Couriers to Ship to Kenya
The choice of courier relies on the shipment size and urgency, destination, and budget. While some courier services focus on speed for urgent deliveries, others provide cost-effective options for less time-sensitive deliveries. Shipixy enables you to compare several international carriers side by side and easily select the most appropriate shipping service in Kenya.
Ship a Package with UPS
UPS provides reliable shipping from the USA to Kenya with great international logistics and package handling. It is widely used for businesses shipping commercially valuable goods, electronics, important documents, and high-value items. UPS offers tracking, customs, and express services to the major cities in Kenya, including Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Nairobi.
Ship a Package with USPS
Even if you're sending small packages or personal mail, USPS is still one of the most cost-effective choices. It's mostly used for gifts, clothing, books, accessories, and online shopping. For those who want to keep the shipping costs down, USPS has affordable international shipping services that can be tracked.
Ship a Package with FedEx
FedEx delivers fast and reliable shipping solutions from the USA to Kenya for both businesses and individuals. They have an international network for express delivery, customs clearance support, secure parcels, and advanced shipment tracking. FedEx is particularly ideal for time-sensitive deliveries, medical supplies, electronics, and urgent business documents.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Kenya?
The shipping rates to Kenya depend on many factors, such as the weight of the package or shipment, size, shipping methods, location within the country, and the shipping company in question. Generally, smaller and lighter packages are easier and cheaper to ship than larger and heavier packages, and sometimes oversized or heavy packages may come with extra shipping fees. Customers who are not in a hurry will get cheaper rates from economy shipping, and those who are will get higher rates from express shipping because of the shorter transit time.
Depending on the nature and value of the product being imported, commercial shipments might also be subject to customs processing fees. The declared value and shipping charges, along with the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value used by Kenya for calculating import duties and taxes, can affect the import cost. Unlike other shipping websites, you won't have to estimate shipping costs with us. Use our shipping calculator to instantly compare the different courier services available to you, and choose the cheapest and best shipping service for your package depending on the details.
How Long Does It Take to Deliver a Parcel to Kenya?
The US to Kenya shipping time varies from one courier to another, depending on the type of shipping service, package size, customs clearance, and the final destination. Customers can choose express shipping for their urgent documents or time-sensitive parcels, or choose economy options to save on shipping costs. Express shipping is typically the quickest and delivers in 2-5 business days, depending on the chosen express provider and location. Standard international shipping takes 5-10 business days and provides a good compromise between speed and cost. Economy shipping is typically 10-21 business days, which is ideal for non-urgent shipments and personal parcels.
Air freight shipment of larger commercial shipments arrives in 3-7 business days, and oversized cargo or bulk freight may arrive in 3-6 weeks, depending on customs clearance and carrier timelines. Delivery times are subject to variations based on customs clearance, public holidays, weather, peak shipping seasons, and delivery to remote areas. Deliveries to major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Thika, Malindi, Kitale, Garissa, and Ruiru are sometimes faster than deliveries to rural areas.
Kenya Customs and Regulations
Each shipment that comes into Kenya has to meet the country's customs requirements to avoid unnecessary delays or extra charges. Giving accurate and complete shipping details helps you get your package through customs as soon as possible.
For international shipments, the following documentation is usually necessary:
- Commercial invoice (business shipment)
- Customs Declaration Form
- Shipping Label
- A Packing List (if applicable)
- Extra import licenses for controlled products
- Any extra import permits for regulated goods
Customs duties and taxes are calculated in Kenya based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value of the goods. Depending upon the nature of goods being imported, the recipients may be asked to pay import duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), etc., on the goods before delivery.
Some products, such as medical goods, food, agricultural goods, cosmetics, chemicals, electronic goods, etc., might need further certificates, import licenses, or inspections before they can be cleared for customs. To minimize delays, be sure to describe, declare, and provide documentation for all packages at their correct value. Incorrect or incomplete paperwork can result in customs holds, additional inspection fees, or shipment returns.
What Items Cannot Be Shipped to Kenya?
Some goods are banned or subject to import restrictions in Kenya due to customs and safety regulations. Items that are prohibited for shipping may be rejected, subject to customs penalties, or legal action. The following are usually not allowed or limited:
- Weapons, ammunition, and firearms
- Explosives and fireworks
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Chemical and flammable materials
- Fake or counterfeit branded products.
- Counterfeit currency
- Tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices
- Beer, wine, and spirits not licensed for sale.
- Offensive material
- Rough diamonds and some precious stones
- Ivory, Wildlife products, endangered animal products, and protected plants
- Any live animals that are not accompanied by permits are not allowed.
- Some agricultural products, seeds, soil, and untreated wood
- Prescription medicines and controlled pharmaceuticals that are not documented
- Radioactive materials
- Toxic chemicals and dangerous waste
- Damaged lithium Batteries and hazardous battery products
- Tactical and Military equipment
- Foods and feed derived from GMOs for which import approval is required
Customs requirements, restrictions on goods, and import conditions may be subject to changes without notice. Please refer to the most up-to-date customs guidelines in Kenya before dispatching your shipment to prevent delays, unexpected costs, or clearance problems. Book online shipping with Shipixy and experience affordable and reliable shipping from the USA to Kenya.
