How to Collect and Ship Personal Belongings from Kenya to Your New Home Abroad

Shipping personal belongings from Kenya to your new home abroad — or from abroad back to Kenya — is one of the most complex logistics tasks facing Kenyans relocating internationally. Whether you are moving to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else, understanding shipping methods, customs requirements, costs, and prohibited items is essential for a smooth transition. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of collecting and shipping your personal effects.

Deciding What to Ship

Before engaging a shipping company, make a careful assessment of what is worth shipping versus buying new at your destination. International shipping costs — ranging from $3,900 to $10,500 depending on volume and destination — mean that inexpensive or bulky items may cost more to ship than to replace. Items generally worth shipping include sentimental or irreplaceable items (family heirlooms, photographs, artwork), high-value electronics and appliances (check voltage compatibility), quality furniture that would be expensive to replace, personal documents and important papers, and specialised equipment or tools for your profession.

Items generally not worth shipping include bulky low-value furniture that is readily available at the destination, old appliances that may not work with different voltage or plug systems (Kenya uses 240V/Type G plugs), perishable goods and opened food items, and heavy items like large quantities of books (consider digitising instead).

Choosing a Shipping Method

Sea Freight (Most Common for Household Goods)

Sea freight is the standard option for international moves involving large volumes of personal effects. You can ship either a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL). A 20-foot container holds approximately 1,200 cubic feet — roughly the contents of a two-bedroom apartment. A 40-foot container holds about 2,400 cubic feet, suitable for a three to four-bedroom house.

Transit times from Mombasa port to major destinations typically range from four to eight weeks: approximately 30-35 days to Europe, 35-45 days to North America, 25-30 days to the Middle East, and 30-40 days to Australia. Costs vary significantly by destination, volume, and season, but expect $2,000-$5,000 for a 20-foot container and $4,000-$8,000 for a 40-foot container from Mombasa to major world ports.

Air Freight (For Urgent or Small Shipments)

Air freight is three to five times more expensive than sea freight per kilogram but delivers within days rather than weeks. It is suitable for essential items needed immediately upon arrival, valuable items requiring faster transit, and small shipments (under 200 kg) where the speed premium is justified. FedEx, DHL, and UPS all operate international cargo services from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Air freight costs typically range from $5-$15 per kilogram depending on destination and service level.

Courier Services (For Documents and Small Parcels)

For documents, small personal items, and parcels under 30 kg, international courier services offer door-to-door delivery with tracking. DHL Express, FedEx, UPS, and Aramex all operate in Kenya with pickup services. Transit times are typically two to seven business days worldwide.

International Moving Companies in Kenya

Several reputable international moving companies operate in Kenya, offering end-to-end relocation services. When selecting a mover, look for membership in the FIDI Global Alliance or the International Association of Movers (IAM), which indicate adherence to international quality standards. Reputable companies include Crown Relocations, AGS Movers, Allied Pickfords, Santa Fe Relocation, and local specialists like Nellions Moving and Kentex Cargo.

A full-service international move typically includes a pre-move survey to assess volume and special requirements, supply of packing materials (boxes, bubble wrap, wardrobe cartons), professional packing by trained crews, loading and transport to the port or airport, export customs documentation and clearance, ocean or air freight to the destination, import customs clearance at the destination, delivery and unpacking at your new home, and insurance coverage throughout the process.

Export Customs Clearance from Kenya

Exporting personal effects from Kenya requires customs clearance through the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The process involves several steps and documents.

Required Documents

You will need a valid passport and visa for your destination country, a detailed packing list itemising all contents by box or container (with estimated values), a copy of your flight ticket or travel itinerary, a customs declaration form, and a letter from your employer (if relocating for work) or proof of residence abroad. If shipping a motor vehicle, you need the original logbook, KRA PIN certificate, and proof of ownership for at least 12 months.

Export Procedures

Your moving company or customs broker will prepare the export documentation and submit it through KRA's integrated customs management system (iCMS). For personal effects being exported by a person relocating abroad, there are generally no export duties. However, all items must be properly declared, and certain items require special permits.

Prohibited and Restricted Export Items

Kenya prohibits the export of certain items. Absolutely prohibited items include wildlife trophies and products without a CITES permit (ivory, rhino horn, animal skins), protected plant species, cultural artefacts and antiquities without a National Museums of Kenya export permit, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, counterfeit goods, and currency exceeding $10,000 equivalent without declaration. Restricted items requiring permits include firearms and ammunition (require a Kenya Police permit), certain medicines and pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products (may require a phytosanitary certificate from KEPHIS).

Import Customs at Your Destination

Every country has its own rules for importing personal effects. Understanding your destination's requirements before shipping prevents costly delays and unexpected duties.

United States

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) generally allows duty-free import of personal and household effects that have been in your possession and use abroad. You must have owned and used the items for at least one year. New items and gifts may be subject to duty. A CBP Form 3299 (Declaration of Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) is required.

United Kingdom

The UK allows duty-free import of personal belongings under Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief if you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months and the goods have been owned and used for at least six months. You must apply for a ToR1 form from HMRC before shipping.

Canada

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) allows settlers to import personal and household goods duty-free. You must declare all goods on Form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document), listing items you are bringing with you and items to follow.

Australia

The Australian Border Force allows duty-free import of personal effects owned and used for at least 12 months. Australia has very strict biosecurity laws — all wood, plant material, food, and animal products must be declared and may be inspected, treated, or confiscated.

Shipping Costs Breakdown

The total cost of an international move from Kenya includes several components. Packing and local transport (from your home to the port) typically costs KSh 50,000-200,000 depending on volume and distance. Export customs clearance runs KSh 15,000-30,000. Ocean freight varies by destination and container size ($2,000-$8,000). Marine insurance is usually 2-3 per cent of the declared value of goods. Import customs clearance at the destination costs $200-$1,000 depending on the country. Destination delivery (from port to your new home) costs $500-$2,000 depending on distance and access.

For a typical two-bedroom apartment move from Nairobi to London, expect total costs of approximately $5,000-$8,000. A similar move to the US East Coast might cost $6,000-$10,000. These estimates include full-service packing, shipping, and destination delivery but exclude import duties on any dutiable items.

Insurance for International Shipments

Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for international shipments. Moving companies typically offer two levels of coverage. Basic coverage (included in most quotes) covers total loss only — if the entire shipment is lost at sea. Comprehensive coverage (additional premium of 2-3 per cent of declared value) covers damage, breakage, theft, and partial loss in addition to total loss. Given the length of transit and multiple handling points, comprehensive insurance is a worthwhile investment for protecting your belongings.

Tips for a Smooth International Move

Start planning at least eight to twelve weeks before your departure date. Get quotes from at least three international movers and compare not just price but services included. Create a detailed inventory of everything you plan to ship — this serves as your packing list, customs declaration, and insurance record. Photograph valuable items before packing as evidence of pre-move condition. Separate important documents, medications, and valuables to carry personally rather than ship. Label boxes clearly with contents and destination room for easy unpacking. Keep copies of all shipping documents, customs declarations, and insurance policies in both physical and digital formats. Notify your moving company of any fragile, high-value, or unusual items requiring special handling. Plan for a gap period — sea freight takes weeks, so pack a suitcase with essentials to sustain you until your shipment arrives.