Shipping to Kenya From the US (2024)

Sometimes the goods you want to buy may not be available at the local Kenyan stores. So, you look for ways to import it from countries like the USA. Overseas retailers are also keen to tap into this trend.

Luckily, as the world becomes more ecommerce-friendly, it is possible to get overseas orders delivered affordably to Kenya in just a few days.

Read on as this blog post helps you understand how to easily ship items such as fashion, electronics, and personal care from the USA to Kenya.

This guide provides information on how to ship a package from the US to Kenya, plus tips on how ecommerce brands can better plan international shipping logistics with ShipBob.

Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to Kenya from the US

When retailers or individuals seek out ways to get merchandise delivered to Kenya, they are most conscious of the delivery speeds and costs.

To help you decide which carrier offers the best value for money, here is a look at the most popular services available:

Note: We calculated the following rates using each carrier’s pricing calculators for a consistent example of a 2.2 lbs package in January 2022. Exact prices are subject to change. These are general options for consumers’ shipping orders.

ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in “total fulfillment cost“ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors.

To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Kenya, please request a quote here.

*It is important to mention that USPS offers flat-rate shipping to Kenya range from $40.15 to $111.35 for delivery within 6 to 10 days.

How to choose a shipping carrier

Every ecommerce business has unique shipping needs. Some like to promise next-day delivery, while others prioritize eco-friendly shipping practices. Some businesses are also keen to keep fulfillment costs low and pass on the savings to their customers.

So there is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to choosing a carrier.

To help you make this shortlisting process a little easier, here are the pros and cons of the top four carriers:

Shipping to Kenya from the US with USPS

Over 46% of the world’s mail is sent by the USPS. That’s the sort of trust that the carrier inspires for domestic and international shipping. However, though it’s the most cost-effective carrier, USPS lacks sophisticated order tracking for international shipments.

But no matter how heavy or large the package, USPS offers the best rates to ship orders to Kenya.

When to use USPS to ship from the US to Kenya

If you want to keep your shipping costs low then USPS offers some of the most affordable rates in the business. When shipping heavy goods to Kenya, you can use its flat-rate shipping option.

Additionally, what is great about this carrier is that it does not levy any extra fees or surcharges.

Shipping to Kenya from the US with UPS

United Postal Service (UPS) is touted to be one of the world’s largest shipping couriers. Founded in 1907, This Fortune 500 company employs 495,000+ staff members and delivers parcels to 220+ countries.

UPS’s 24/7 international customer helpline, free customs support, and timely delivery are all reasons to trust it with your shipments to Kenya.

When to use UPS to ship from the US to Kenya

This Atlanta-based carrier is great for retailers that are particular about accurate last mile tracking and reliable order delivery. Notably, it has a significant US-wide presence. On the flip side, it does charge a lot more in shipping fees than other established players.

Shipping to Kenya from the US with FedEx

FedEx offers a wide footprint across the US. Of the 220 countries it ships to internationally, Kenya is also one. It is well-known as one of the first carriers to offer overnight delivery options.

There are helpful options provided by FedEx such as the International Shipping Assist tool, which simplifies shipping needs for businesses that engage regularly.

When to use FedEx to ship from the US to Kenya

If you need to send orders in bulk to Kenya, with FedEx’s bulk shipping option you can avail great discounts. Also enjoy customer care support and accurate shipment tracking with this carrier.

Shipping to Kenya from the US with DHL

DHL is an international shipping company, headquartered in Germany. It is a very reliable carrier that is driven to reduce carbon emissions in shipping operations.

This German carrier is also committed to green logistics and is environmentally conscious.

When to use DHL to ship from the US to Kenya

Enjoy super-fast and reliable international order fulfillment, shipment insurance, and door-to-door parcel delivery with DHL.

However, DHL’s on-time shipping services tend to be a lot more expensive than that of competition.

Duties & taxes when shipping to Kenya from the US

All imported goods attract a VAT of 16%. Also, typically, you are required to pay an import duty ranging between 0% and 25%.

Here are some of the category-specific customs duty rates that you should be aware of:

Note: The tax-free threshold as decreed by Kenya’s customs authority is $0.

Kenya customs information

You need a clearing agent to help you clear goods at the border, with the Customs and Border Control Department (CBCD), on your behalf.

There are a lot of clearance documents, such as bill of lading, import declaration form, pro forma invoice, and an ISM (when applicable), that you must have ready to ensure that your imports don’t get stuck at customs.

To know more about how to ship goods into Kenya, here is a link to the country’s official customs department’s website.

Prohibited items when shipping to Kenya

Kenya has a list of goods that are prohibited from being imported into the country. The reason for such restrictions can range from national safety and security, protectionist measures to trade embargos.

To avoid costly delays and returns of orders or fines, before shipping your orders, be sure to review this list.

What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Kenya

Here are some important considerations to keep in mind when shipping from the US to Kenya.

1. Take steps to tackle online fraud and build trust with shoppers

Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) receives an overwhelming number of reports of online fraud, which leaves the country’s people wary of ecommerce transactions.

To reduce their feelings of mistrust, you must build a highly encrypted and secure website, process payments via reliable payment partners, and maintain the privacy of shoppers’ data.

2. Offer multiple means of payment

Customers are opting for cash on delivery less than usual, but it still retains the position of most popular means of ecommerce payment in Kenya.

Meanwhile, usage of e-wallets, bank transfers, and direct debit have grown between 2017 and 2022. To make the payment process convenient, be sure to offer all these options (along with card payment) to Kenyan customers on your ecommerce portal.

3. Harness social media to engage customers

About 20.2% of Kenya’s population are on social media.

If you want to capture the interest of this segment of the population, then it is important to build a strong, engaging, and localized social media presence.

4. Use ShipBob’s 3PL services

Apart from managing the product, marketing, and sales, you also have quite the responsibility of ensuring that orders reach your customers in Kenya on time. That’s a lot of work.

Luckily, there are 3PL companies like ShipBob that can partner with you to manage the order fulfillment workflow for you, end to end.

Partner with ShipBob, an international 3PL

ShipBob makes it to reach customers across the world with a remarkable brand experience.

Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics.

We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Kenya, we also offer upfront fulfillment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.

By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfillment, logistics operations, and hire labor.

Working with ShipBob can actually turn logistics and warehousing into a revenue driver because you can increase sales and offer the shipping options, transit times, and delivery speeds that customers want.

The best part about partnering with ShipBob is you get time back to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as customer service and marketing.

“There’s a pair of Ombraz on every continent, so international shipping is very important to us — not only in terms of costs but also the customer experience. When I found out ShipBob was expanding, I knew we wanted to expand our physical footprint with them. This would offer us the ability to reduce taxes and tariffs that come with international shipping.

The process of getting inventory sent to ShipBob’s fulfillment center location was very streamlined. ShipBob has helped us extensively throughout the process and we look forward to accelerating our growth outside of North America.”

Nikolai Paloni, Co-Founder of Ombraz Sunglasses

Ready to start shipping to Kenya from the US? Get started with ShipBob.

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Shipping to Kenya FAQs

Here are answers to the top questions about shipping from the United States to Kenya.