Europe is one of Kenya’s most important trading partners, and since July 2024 the EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement has made trade between them easier. This guide explains how to ship from Europe to Kenya and East Africa: sea and air options, transit times, EU export and Kenyan import formalities, duties, and how to fulfil orders locally once your goods arrive.
Quick answer: Sea freight from Europe to Kenya usually sails from ports such as Rotterdam or Antwerp to Mombasa and takes about 30–37 days port to port. Air freight to Nairobi takes days. Goods leave the EU with an export declaration and enter Kenya with a KRA import declaration, a KEBS Certificate of Conformity for regulated products, and payment of import duty, a 2.5% IDF, a 2% RDL and 16% VAT.
Shipping options from Europe to Kenya
| Mode | Typical transit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight, full container (FCL) | About 30–37 days, e.g. Rotterdam to Mombasa | Regular stock replenishment, lowest cost per unit |
| Sea freight, shared container (LCL) | Longer than FCL | Smaller volumes and first shipments |
| Air freight | A few days, e.g. Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Paris to Nairobi | Launches, urgent restocks, high-value goods |
| Express courier | A few days door to door | Samples and small parcels |
The EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement
The EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force on 1 July 2024. It gives Kenyan goods duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market, and Kenya is gradually reducing tariffs on EU goods over a period of up to 25 years, with some sensitive products, such as certain foods, textiles, clothing and vehicles, excluded. For EU exporters, this means duties on many EU-origin goods will fall over time, provided the goods meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the right proof of origin is presented. Check the current tariff for your product before you ship.
EU export formalities
- Export declaration: goods leaving the EU need an electronic export declaration, normally filed by your forwarder or customs agent.
- EORI number: the exporter needs an EU EORI number.
- Proof of origin: needed if you want to claim reduced duty under the EPA.
- Export controls: check whether your goods are dual-use or otherwise controlled.
Import duties and taxes in Kenya
Kenya applies the East African Community (EAC) Common External Tariff, and the customs clearance is handled by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The main charges on imported goods are:
| Charge | Rate | Applied to |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EAC Common External Tariff) | 0%, 10%, 25% or 35% depending on the product | Customs value |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) | 2.5% | Customs value |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) | 2% (since December 2024) | Customs value |
| Excise duty | Varies, only for certain goods | Customs value plus duty |
| VAT | 16% | Value including duties and levies |
The duty rate depends on the product’s HS code, so correct classification matters. Rates and levies change with Kenya’s annual Finance Acts, so confirm current rates with your customs agent before you price.
Example: goods with a customs value of $10,000 in the 25% duty band would typically pay $2,500 import duty, $250 IDF and $200 RDL, then 16% VAT on the total of $12,950, or about $2,072. That is roughly $5,000 in duties and taxes before clearing and delivery costs.
Documents you need
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for products regulated under the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) pre-export verification of conformity programme, issued before shipment
- Import declaration lodged through the KRA customs system by a licensed customs agent
- Permits for specific goods, such as food, medicines, cosmetics or electronics, where required
Combining EU and Kenyan stock
Many brands keep their main stock in Europe and a forward stock position in Kenya. Fast-moving products ship to Kenya by sea in regular containers, while new products or urgent restocks fly. With one platform for both, you can see stock in your EU and Kenyan warehouses together and decide where each order ships from.
Example: a European beauty brand stores its full range in the Netherlands for EU customers and sends a container of best-sellers to Nairobi every six weeks. Kenyan orders ship locally within days, and new launches fly in to test demand before the next container.
Shipping the other way: Kenya to the EU
Under the EPA, goods originating in Kenya enter the EU duty-free and quota-free. Kenyan exporters still need to meet EU product rules, such as food safety, plant health and product safety requirements, and the EU’s import formalities.
Related: Europe–Africa freight and logistics · Fulfilment in Kenya · Shipping from China to Kenya · Fulfilment in the Netherlands
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Europe to Kenya take?
By sea, typically about 30–37 days from ports such as Rotterdam to Mombasa. Air freight to Nairobi takes a few days.
What is the EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement?
A trade agreement in force since 1 July 2024 that gives Kenyan goods duty-free, quota-free access to the EU and gradually opens Kenya’s market to EU goods.
Do EU goods pay import duty in Kenya?
Many do today, under the EAC Common External Tariff, plus a 2.5% IDF, a 2% RDL and 16% VAT. Duties on qualifying EU-origin goods are being reduced over time under the EPA.
What documents do I need to export from the EU to Kenya?
An EU export declaration, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, proof of origin if claiming EPA preferences, and a KEBS Certificate of Conformity for regulated products.
Can I keep stock in both Europe and Kenya?
Yes. Many brands keep main stock in Europe and forward stock in Kenya, managed on one platform, so each order ships from the right place.
Sources
Figures are taken from the sources below and were checked in September 2026. Market estimates from research firms are labelled as estimates in the text.
- European Commission – EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement
- European Commission Access2Markets – EU–Kenya agreement applies from 1 July 2024
- Kenya import duty guide 2026 (FNJ Associates) – IDF, RDL and duty bands
- Railway Development Levy 2026 guide (Pamoja Imports)
- Rotterdam to Mombasa routes (Fluent Cargo) – transit times
- Container shipping Rotterdam–Mombasa
