Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Kenya
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, New York / New Jersey, and other ports to Mombasa in 35–50 days port to port, with bi-weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $2,600.
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.
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
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
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 Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | Mombasa (via Salalah) | 35–45 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Mombasa (via Salalah) | 36–46 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Mombasa (via Jebel Ali) | 40–50 days | Monthly |
| Baltimore, MD | Mombasa (via Salalah) | 36–46 days | Monthly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Kenya from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Kenya, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Kenya fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
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.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $2,600 – $3,400 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,800 – $5,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,800 – $6,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentKenya Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction machinery | 0–10% | 16% | Most units duty-free |
| Generators & power equipment | 0% | 16% | IDF & railway levy apply |
| Trucks (special permit) | 25% | 16% + excise | Case-by-case approval needed |
| Passenger cars (LHD) | Prohibited | — | RHD only, max 8 years |
| Project / breakbulk cargo | 0–10% | 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
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Kenya.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
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
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
Savannah, GA → Mombasa (via Salalah)
36–46 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Houston, TX → Mombasa (via Jebel Ali)
40–50 days ocean transit · Monthly departures
Baltimore, MD → Mombasa (via Salalah)
36–46 days ocean transit · Monthly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Kenya Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
35–45 days (via Salalah)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Mombasa.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport 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 guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Kenya. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
No — Kenya's vehicle rules are among Africa's strictest. Only right-hand-drive cars register; left-hand drive is banned outright, and even RHD units must be 8 years old or newer with a mandatory KEBS pre-shipment inspection. So there's simply no U.S. used-car trade here. Anyone who tells you otherwise is setting you up for a seizure at Mombasa. We say it plainly so you invest only in what actually clears.
Equipment. Kenya is mid-build on roads, rail, geothermal plants, and housing, and U.S. construction machinery, generators, and specialized trucks (under special permit) land at Mombasa at 0–10% duty plus 16% VAT. Project cargo for contractors is our fastest-growing Kenya business. Mombasa's inland container depots connect directly to Nairobi by the standard gauge railway, so we can deliver well past the port.
Often, yes. 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 after the job. The key is structuring the right regime before the vessel sails, and confirming permit requirements per unit. We handle both as part of the booking so the equipment isn't held at Mombasa.
About 35–45 days from the East Coast, routing via transshipment at Salalah or Jebel Ali. We sail biweekly from New York/New Jersey and Savannah to Mombasa, with monthly service from Houston (via Jebel Ali) and Baltimore. From Mombasa, the standard gauge railway connects directly to Nairobi, so we can coordinate inland delivery for project sites. We confirm permit requirements per unit before booking.
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