Kenya visa

Kenya Customs

• Import Regulations
  Allowed

  • Tobacco products 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227 grammes of tobacco
  • Alcoholic beverages 1 bottle of alcohol
  • Perfume 1 pint of perfume
  • Currency There is currently no limit on the amount of local and foreign currency that travellers can import into the country. Residents of Kenya are free to import up to 500,000 Kenyan Shillings and an unlimited amount of foreign currency. The same rules apply for both locals and visitors if exporting currency out of the country although sums equal to USD 500 will need to be declared at the customs department.

  Restricted

  • Pets and animals Any animals being imported into the country can only travel as cargo. Cats and dogs will need a general good health certificate from the country of origin and an additional certificate less than a month old clearing the pets of Rabies. Wild birds being imported from countries currently suffering from bird flu will need a sanitary import permit to be issued by the Director of Veterinary Services.
  • Arms and ammunition All arms, explosives and ammunition are currently banned from entering the country unless a prior police permit has been obtained.
  • Plant and plant products A special Plant Import Permit will be required in order to import any plant or plant products into the country.
  • Meat and dairy products Meat and meat products must be declared at customs and will not be permitted entry.
  • Other Other restricted items include various forms of unprepared ivory, precious metal and stones, historical artefacts, imitation firearms, children’s toys and fruit.

  Prohibited

  • Firearms and military ammunitions
  • Drugs
  • Meat and dairy products
  • Radioactive substances
  • Hunting weapons Knives and dangerous hunting weapons
  • Plant and plant products
  • Soil
  • Counterfeit money
  • Pornographic material
• Export Regulations
  Allowed

  • Tobacco products Export of a reasonable quantity of tobacco products
  • Alcoholic beverages Export of a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages.
  • Currency Residents may export up to KES 500,000.- (Kenya Shilling-KES) to cover expenses upon re-entry into Kenya. No restrictions apply to foreign currencies. Non-residents may export local and foreign currency without restrictions. However, for amounts equivalent to USD 5,000.- and more residents and non-residents need to hold documents indicating the source and the purpose of this amount.

  Restricted

  • Gold and diamonds Restricted items include gold and diamonds and skin or game trophies, which are not obtained from the authorized personnel of the Government of Kenya.

  Prohibited

  • Drugs
  • Firearms and military ammunitions
  • Knives and dangerous hunting weapons
  • Meat and dairy products
  • Plant and plant products
  • Soil
  • Counterfeit money
  • Pornographic material
  • Hazardous materials

• Health and Security
  Basic health information for travelers to Kenya

  • A yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers coming from an infected region. Travellers from other countries are strongly advised to consider obtaining vaccination against the disease prior to entering the country and may not be admitted without one.
  • Tap and other local water sources should be considered contaminated and thoroughly boiled before being drunk. Travellers are advised to stick to bottled water whenever possible throughout their stay inside the country. Milk and dairy products might be unpasteurised and should be avoided for safety reasons. All meat, fish and vegetables should be well cooked and served boiling hot whilst fruit should be peeled prior to consumption.
  • Multiple outbreaks of Cholera have been reported throughout Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, Eastern and North Eastern provinces and travellers should make sure that all water used for personal use is safe from infection. Travellers to Kenya are strongly urged to obtain vaccinations against a wide variety of food and water based diseases including Hepatitis A and E, Polio and Typhoid. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present and all visitors are advised against swimming in any native lakes or other unclean bodies of water.
  • Malaria has been reported in several sections of the country under 2500m but travellers sticking to Nairobi and the highlands of Central, Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western Provinces should be relatively safe. Malaria is a year round threat but most cases are reported during the countries rainy season. All travellers to the country are strongly advised to obtain appropriate defences against infection and should immediately seek out medical assistance if symptoms develop. Visitors travelling far into the country maybe some distance from the nearest healthcare facility and are recommended to take an extra medical kit in the event of an emergency.
  • Additional insect based infections present throughout Kenya include visceral leishmaniasis from female sand flies and Rift Valley, Chikungunya and Dengue fever from mosquitoes. Visitors to all sections of the country should obtain all necessary vaccinations prior to entering the country and should wear plenty of insect repellent and tight clothing for protection. Emergency medical assistance in the event of serious symptom developing is advised.
  • Blood related diseases including HIV and Hepatitis B are endemic to the region and all travellers to the country should exercise great care when dealing with bloody or dirty needles or when engaging in sexual activity during their visit. All travellers staying in the country longer than three months will automatically be required to undergo a HIV test.
  • Travellers to the country are advised against any contact with wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek out medical assistance to check for any signs of infection.
  • Much of the country is located at a high altitude which could potentially cause health and respiratory problems for travellers unused to these conditions. All visitors to these regions should exercise considerable caution and should slowly move towards a lower altitude if feeling persistently dizzy or light headed and seek out medical assistance if symptoms develop. Sunburn and dehydration are serious dangers in this country and travellers should obtain plenty of bottled water and sunscreen for protection against the often intense heat.
  • The standard of healthcare is considerably varied throughout the country with decent facilities available in Nairobi and Mombasa but very limited in more remote and poorer regions. Public hospitals may not measure up to their western equivalents and private health facilities are recommended although doctors are likely to demand upfront payment for services rendered.
  • For a small fee visitors can enjoy membership of the flying doctors’ society. This entitles an injured or seriously ill person to free emergency evacuation by air from any part of Kenya to Nairobi and may be useful in the event of an unexpected medical crisis occurring far from any local hospitals. Medicines may be expensive or hard to obtain in this country so all travellers are advised to keep an emergency medical kit with them at all times containing emergency medicines and supplies.
  • Complete health and travel insurance is strongly recommended and emergency evacuation to a nearby country may be required in the event of a serious accident or illness.

  Basic security information for travelers to Kenya

  • Owing to the higher than average potential for violence from Al-Qaida and other dangerous factions, all travellers to the country are strongly advised to take maximum care throughout their visit and to keep updated regarding any changes to the current social and political situation both inside the country and in the surrounding region. Additionally, the recent political turmoil inside the country has resulted in substantial loss of life and high levels of unemployment and street crime so travellers should keep a close eye on their belongings at all times throughout their visit.
  • Since April 2011, the Kenyan authorities have moved to a heightened state of alert with visible signs or armed security at many public and important locations throughout the country. Al-Qaida and other terrorist groups have warned of potential attacks against the country and all foreigners staying in popular tourist locations should exercise a high degree of caution at all times throughout their visit. Kidnappings and random bomb attacks are not unheard of throughout Kenya. Travellers should be particularly vigilant in the lead-up to and during religious festivals and days of national significance as militants have used such occasions to mount attacks.
  • Violent crime and theft are a serious risk inside this country and travellers should take great care when visiting this country. All passports and valuable items should be kept in a safe location at all times and obvious displays of wealth could serve to attract unwanted attention and could lead to trouble. Female travellers in particular should avoid walking alone after dark down badly lit streets and all travellers should avoid shantytowns or other poor sections of the country where violence may be rife. Incidents of drugging and kidnappings have been recorded and all foreign visitors should refuse random drinks bought from them and remain cautious at all times during their visit.
  • Travel to the border with Somalia is strongly advised against due to recent fighting between the government and Somali based militants who have declared a jihad against Somalia and other local countries throughout the region.
  • Following recent parliamentary and presidential elections, ethnic and politically based violence erupted throughout the entire country with over one thousand people being killed and more than 300,000 displaced from their homes. Although the political situation has been officially resolved, tensions remain high and the potential for renewed hostilities is considerable. All visitors to the country should avoid any large protests or gatherings which could quickly turn unpredictable and violent without warning and should remain updated regarding the countries current political situation both prior to and throughout the course of their visit.
  • Foreign visitors planning on driving throughout Kenya can do so on a clean UK driving licence for up to three months but will need to obtain a local one for longer stays. Local road conditions are considered poor outside the major cities and all travel after dark is not advised owing to the often poorly lit roads and less than excellent standards of the roads. Carjacking and banditry are common crimes throughout Kenya and travellers should keep their car locked and secure at all times and keep a copy of their passport with them in the event of an accident or emergency.
  • According to the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office, “Rural areas, and in particular the arid north and north eastern parts of Kenya experience sporadic cattle rustling, banditry and ethnic clashes which regularly cause fatalities. Whilst foreigners are not usually the targets of localised violence and banditry, travel in the north and north east should only be undertaken with care and after seeking the advice of the police and in convoy with at least two vehicles to ensure back-up”. Inhabitants living in Rural areas maybe generally distrusting of all foreign visitors who should take great pains to avoid committing any crime or indiscretion which could lead to trouble.
  • Heavy rain may cause many roads to become hazardous or impassable and all travellers visiting the country during this period should check with local authorities that their intended route is still safe and open.
  • Any visitors planning on visiting the countries national parks should exercise considerable caution around the wild animals, many of which are capable of maiming or killing unwary travellers with ease. All animal bites should immediately be checked for signs of Rabies and swimming in local water should not be attempted thanks to the high number of water based diseases present throughout the entire country.
  • Kenya is in a seismically active zone and travellers should immediately contact their nearest embassy in the event of a serious Earthquake occurring during their visit. Flash flooding is common during the countries rainy seasons which usually last between October and November and from March to June. All foreign visitors should check the countries predicted weather conditions whilst inside the country and plan their visit accordingly.
  • Photos of important government, military and religious sites are banned and can be legally removed by the security services. Pictures taken of local everyday inhabitants may cause unease and permission should always be requested beforehand out of common decency.
  • Kenya is a largely traditional Muslim country and overt displays of affection in public are not encouraged. All visitors to the region should dress respectfully at all times and women in particular should wear conservative clothing in public. Foreign visitors inside the country during Ramadan are urged to avoid drink or eating in public throughout the day. Drug related crimes are heavily punished in Kenya and local prisons may be harsher than some travellers are used to. Smoking in public places and Homosexuality are both illegal in this country.

• Kenyan Customs contact information
  For further assistance please contact the Kenyan Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.
  
  

  Kenyan Customs contact information

  Address

  P.O.BOX 48240 - 00100 GPO Nairobi

  Phone

  +25420310900 +254202810000

  Visit Website

  
  
  For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Kenyan Embassy.