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Car Shipping & Freight to Kenya

Mombasa is East Africa's busiest gateway — but Kenya registers right-hand-drive vehicles only, so U.S. cars stay home. What we ship in volume: construction machinery, generators, trucks under special permit, and project cargo for the region's infrastructure boom.

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Fully insured Regular departures Customs included

Kenya at a Glance

Space available
Shipping from
$2,600+
Ocean transit
35–45 days (via Salalah)
Arrival ports
Mombasa
Import duty + VAT
Machinery 0–10% + 16% VAT
U.S. passenger cars
LHD banned — not registrable
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Shipping to Kenya: What You Need to Know

Kenya's vehicle rules are among the strictest in Africa: only right-hand-drive vehicles can be registered, left-hand-drive imports are banned outright, and even RHD units must be under 8 years old with a KEBS pre-shipment inspection. That means the U.S. used-car play simply doesn't exist here — and anyone telling you otherwise is setting you up for a seized vehicle at Mombasa. We say it plainly so you can invest in what actually clears.

The lane that does work is equipment. Kenya is mid-build on roads, rail, geothermal plants, and housing, and U.S. construction machinery, generators, and specialized trucks (importable under special permit) land at Mombasa at 0–10% duty. Sailings route via transshipment at Salalah or Jebel Ali, putting port-to-port transit at 35–45 days, and Mombasa's inland container depots connect directly to Nairobi by the standard gauge railway. Project cargo for contractors is our fastest-growing Kenya business.

Key takeaway

Don't ship a U.S. car to Kenya — LHD is banned and the 8-year age cap applies even to RHD. Do ship machinery: 0–10% duty + 16% VAT, 35–45 days via Salalah, with rail connection from Mombasa to Nairobi. We confirm permit requirements per unit before booking.

Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Kenya

U.S. Departure PortArrival PortOcean TransitSailing Frequency
New York / New JerseyMombasa (via Salalah)35–45 daysBi-weekly
Savannah, GAMombasa (via Salalah)36–46 daysBi-weekly
Houston, TXMombasa (via Jebel Ali)40–50 daysMonthly
Baltimore, MDMombasa (via Salalah)36–46 daysMonthly

Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.

What It Costs to Ship to Kenya

Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.

ServiceTypical RateWhat to KnowBest For
Shared container (consolidated)$2,600 – $3,400Budget-friendly, waits for consolidationStandard sedans & SUVs
Dedicated 20ft container$3,800 – $5,000Fastest loading, single vehicleHigh-value or classic cars
Dedicated 40ft container$4,800 – $6,800Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargoPairs, dealer lots
RoRo (roll-on / roll-off)Custom quoteDrive-on service, no containerRunning vehicles, trucks, machinery
Flat rack / breakbulkCustom quoteFor oversized & non-running unitsHeavy equipment, boats

Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.

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Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.

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Kenya Import Duties & Taxes

CategoryImport DutyVAT / TaxNotes
Construction machinery0–10%16%Most units duty-free
Generators & power equipment0%16%IDF & railway levy apply
Trucks (special permit)25%16% + exciseCase-by-case approval needed
Passenger cars (LHD)Prohibited—RHD only, max 8 years
Project / breakbulk cargo0–10%16%Infrastructure exemptions possible

Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.

Documents You'll Need

  • Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
  • Bill of sale or commercial invoice
  • Copy of passport or government ID
  • U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
  • Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
  • Packing list for personal items, if any

Shipping equipment for a Kenyan project?

Registered infrastructure and energy projects can qualify for duty remission on imported machinery, and contractors' equipment can enter under temporary importation with a customs bond — paying no duty if it re-exports. We structure the right regime before the vessel sails.

What We Ship to Kenya

Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.

Cars, SUVs & Classics

Container or RoRo service into Kenya's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.

  • Sedans, SUVs & pickups
  • Classic & collector cars
  • Motorcycles & ATVs
Vehicle shipping service

Heavy Equipment

Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Kenya.

  • Excavators & dozers
  • Agricultural machinery
  • Oversized project cargo
Equipment shipping service

Boats & Yachts

Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Kenya.

  • Powerboats & sailboats
  • Yachts & cruisers
  • Jet skis & PWC
Boat shipping service

Container vs. RoRo to Kenya

Feature Container RoRo
Personal items allowed inside
Non-running vehicles accepted
Lowest cost for running cars
Weather-protected transit
Multiple vehicles per booking

Popular U.S. → Kenya Routes

New York / New Jersey → Mombasa (via Salalah)

35–45 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures

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Savannah, GA → Mombasa (via Salalah)

36–46 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures

Quote

Houston, TX → Mombasa (via Jebel Ali)

40–50 days ocean transit · Monthly departures

Quote

Baltimore, MD → Mombasa (via Salalah)

36–46 days ocean transit · Monthly departures

Quote

Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Kenya Moves

1

Quote & booking

Day 0

Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.

2

U.S. pickup & delivery to port

Days 1–7

Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.

3

Export clearance & loading

Days 5–12

AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.

4

Ocean transit

35–45 days (via Salalah)

Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Mombasa.

5

Customs & handover

2–7 days

Import declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.

Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.

Read the auction shipping guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about shipping to Kenya. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.

Typical transit time for car shipping to Kenya ranges from 3–8 weeks door-to-door. This includes inland transport to the U.S. port (3–7 days), vessel departure scheduling and loading (3–10 days), ocean transit (2–6 weeks depending on sailing route and port congestion), customs clearance at destination (2–7 days), and final inland delivery in Kenya (2–5 days). Exact timing depends on the port pair, sailing frequency, and whether you choose container, consolidated, or RoRo-style service where available. We provide route-specific timing when you request a quote so you know what to expect before shipping.

To export a vehicle to Kenya, you typically need the original title or proof of ownership, a bill of sale, a copy of your passport or government ID, a completed export declaration, and a detailed commercial invoice or packing list. Depending on regulations in Kenya, you may also need import approval, emissions or age-compliance documentation, and tax ID information for the receiver. Our documentation team reviews your situation in advance and confirms the exact paperwork required so your shipment clears both U.S. export control and customs in Kenya without unnecessary delays.

In many cases, you can place a reasonable amount of boxed personal items inside a containerized vehicle bound for Kenya, as long as everything is properly declared on the paperwork and allowed by local customs. However, loose household goods, undeclared high-value items, hazardous materials, and restricted products can create customs issues or fines. For RoRo or certain port rules, vehicles must be nearly empty. We advise you exactly what can and cannot travel in the vehicle for your route to Kenya and can recommend separate consolidation services if you have a larger household shipment.

Import duties, taxes, and port charges in Kenya depend on the type of vehicle or equipment, its age, engine size, customs value, and the receiver's status (individual, returning resident, or company). Some countries offer reduced duties for returning citizens or temporary imports; others apply luxury or environmental surcharges. We help you estimate landed costs by reviewing current rules for Kenya, preparing accurate customs documentation, and coordinating with our local clearing agents so you understand all government and port fees before your cargo ships.

Yes. For shipments to Kenya, we can usually provide complete door-to-door service that includes pickup anywhere in the U.S., export preparation and loading, ocean freight to the closest practical port, customs clearance, and inland delivery to your city or project site. In some regions of Kenya we may recommend door-to-port service with trusted local partners handling the final leg. During quoting we confirm exactly which delivery options are available for your specific address so you can choose the level of service that fits your budget and timeline.

Marine cargo insurance is strongly recommended for shipments to Kenya because standard carrier liability does not cover the full value of your vehicle or machinery. We arrange all-risk coverage that protects against total loss, damage, theft, and general average from the time the unit is picked up until it is delivered at destination. Insurance is normally calculated as a small percentage of the declared value and can be included directly in your shipping quote for Kenya, so you have one clear, all-inclusive cost.

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Legal Disclaimer: All rates are non-binding estimates and subject to change without notice. Seaway Export acts solely as a licensed freight forwarder and not a carrier. Transportation is arranged through third-party providers; Seaway Export assumes no liability for carrier performance, delays, loss, or damage. Insurance is not included unless confirmed in writing. Shipper/consignee is responsible for all customs compliance and associated costs. All services are governed by our Terms and Conditions.