Moving To Kenya
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Located in East Africa Kenya is a country, which is globally known for being a top-class destination for wild safari adventures. Here tourists can spot the Big Five animals and witness the annual wildebeest migration in the famous Maasai Mara. In fact, Kenya is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning natural landscapes, including the Maasai Mara and Mount Kenya.
Additionally, the country has a rich cultural heritage, with 42 different ethnic groups that contribute to its vibrant traditions and customs. Kenyan people are friendly and welcoming making it a good place for the expats to relocate. The local cuisines offer gastronomic delights with dishes like ugali and nyama choma, which are must-try.
This East African country also offers a good quality of life and good opportunities overall for jobs making it ideal for moving to Kenya from the USA.
How International Sea & Air Shipping can help for moving to Kenya
When you have planned to move to Kenya from the USA, be advised that you will be facing lots of differences and have to handle different climates, different cultures, different food habits and a lot more. Any international relocation comes with its own set of challenges and your move to Kenya from the USA will be no different.
But there is good news. You can hire International Sea & Air Shipping for your move to Kenya from the USA. Our professional team at International Sea & Air Shipping is there to help you in your move to Kenya from the USA. With us you can look forward to a hassle-free international relocation! We understand the emotions, the confusions and the challenges associated with each and every step of your relocation to Kenya from the USA and we have the expertise to tackle these all for you! Added advantage is that we are affordable!
Our team of experienced professionals are equipped with knowledge of international relocation to guide you at every step. You can look forward to professional assistance where we provide end to end specialized moving services for all types of relocation from the origin to the destination countries. So, let our professionals handle your international relocation, the packing of your household goods, choosing container and freight services, and other titbits of your relocation to Kenya from the USA. You can then take care of other responsibilities that are associated with the post move settling down in Kenya.
About Kenya
Officially known as the Republic of Kenya, this East African country is named after the continent’s second highest mountain peak. Kenya has many wildlife reserves with thousands of animal species, a diverse geography, and a varied culture. About 42 ethnic peoples inhabit Kenya, each with a unique cultural identity. Kenya is also known for its athletics. Popular sports in the country include cricket, rallying, football, rugby and boxing.
Bordered by Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania, Kenya is the world’s forty-seventh largest country. The climate varies between temperate, tropical, and arid. The country is also the setting for the great wildebeest migration, considered one of the Natural Wonders of the World. Over two million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya during from July to October.
With its capital city Nairobi being a major commercial hub, Kenya’s economy is the largest by GDP in East and Central Africa. The telecommunications sector drives the service industry of Kenya. Tourism is another major industry contributing to the economy, also dominating the service industry. The trade partners of Kenya are UK, Netherlands, Uganda, Tanzania, US, Pakistan, India, China, UAE, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Customs Regulations for Kenya
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Original passport (If issued within the last two years, your old passport is also required)
- Work permit for non-Kenyan citizens
- Baggage Declaration Form C-18 (signed by customer)
- Bank Release
- Inventory in English (three copies valued and detailed with the number of packages)
- Insurance certificate
- Invoices for electrical items and their serial numbers
- Certificate of change of address
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- You must be present at customs clearance to receive your shipment
- Your goods are subject to 100 percent customs verification
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free for returning Kenyan citizens if:
- You have resided outside Kenya for a minimum of two years
- Your effects are imported within three months of your arrival in Kenya
- Household goods have been in your possession for at least one year prior to import (new items subject to duty)
- Non-Kenyan citizens (first time arrivals) are permitted to import used household goods and personal effects duty-free within three months of work permit being issued
PROHIBITED ITEMS
If any of the above items are included in your shipment, they will either be shipped back to your origin country or abandoned. Additional costs for either option will be charged to the customer.
- Weapons, silencers, ammunitions, toy guns and explosives, including tear gas
- Plants, seeds, bulbs, fresh fruit and vegetables (unless a permit is obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture stating plants are free from disease)
- Pornographic material
- Drugs
- Political literature
RESTRICTED ITEMS
- Alcoholic beverages
- Firearms (require a certificate to be issued by Nairobi Firearms Bureau for import)
- New items (may require Import License and are subject to payment of custom duties and taxes)
- Fabric pieces
- Trade goods or goods for sale
- Aircraft and vessels of all kinds
- Used machinery
- All computers new or old (except under diplomatic status) or unless imported by a student in computer studies
MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS
Note: Vehicle importation highly restricted and time-consuming
- First time arrivals to Kenya and returning Kenyan citizens residing outside Kenya for a minimum of two years are permitted to import one auto duty-free if:
- Vehicle is more than three months old and has been registered in owner’s name for more than three months
- Vehicle is less than 2,500 cc
- Vehicle is not sold within 12 months of import
- Owner’s work permit has been approved (for first time arrivals to Kenya)
- Owner is 18 years of age or older
- Documents required for vehicle importation:
- Import Declaration Form (IDF), Clean Report (IDF) and Clean Report Finding (CRF)
- Authority to import vehicle letter
- Log Book
- Certificate of Registration (indicate engine and chassis number, first date of registration and engine capacity)
- Certificate of local value
- Passport (if issued within last two years, the old passport is also required)
- Customs C15 Form
- New autos require invoice bearing engine and chassis number
- Work Permit
PET REGULATIONS
- Import permit (must be obtained from the Veterinary Department at Kabete, Nairobi prior to shipping)
- Up-to-date Vaccination Certificate (from country of origin, must be provided on arrival)
- Dogs and cats are exempt from VAT, but are dutiable
- Birds and bird eggs are prohibited
NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.
Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170
Things to be aware of when you are moving to Kenya from the USA
Moving to Kenya from the USA is an adventurous and exciting journey. However, this international relocation revolves around several considerations. Firstly, research the immigration requirements and ensure all necessary documents are in order.
For the next step explore housing options and consider factors such as location, safety, and cost. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the local culture, customs, and language to ease your transition.
Lastly, take care of practicalities like healthcare, banking, and utilities. Moving to a new country can be challenging, but with proper planning and openness to the new experience, you can make a successful move to Kenya from the USA.g for? Give us a call today to set up your free in-home survey! Here’s what you can look forward to:
Visa process to move to Kenya
If you are not a tourist and want to move to Kenya from the USA for more than 90 days, then you will definitely need a proper visa to validate the length of your stay in this East African country. You will require a work visa and residence permit obtained before arriving in the country.
There are majorly two types of work visas that Kenya offers. The Class D work visas are most commonly obtained by expats. This type of visa covers mostly the intra-company transfers of employees and the workers posted in Kenya for humanitarian causes.
Note that, all specific employment by a specific employer will also fall under Class D work visa. It takes about 2-4 months to obtain a Class D visa and you need to apply early. There will also be a fee of 10,000 Kenyan Shilling for a Class D visa.
Another common work visa to move to Kenya from the USA includes the Class I work visas. It was formerly known as a class E work visa. This visa is for the foreign missionaries.
There is also a Class K visa. This is applicable to the independently wealthy foreigners. To obtain this visa one has to provide proof of sufficient funds.
Things to do after moving to Kenya from the USA
The first thing you need to do after you move to Kenya from the USA is to register with the Immigration Department or the local police in Kenya. This you need to do within 90 days after your arrival in the country. This is a rule that is applicable to all foreign nationals aged above 18 years.
To complete this registration process you will need to have –
- Valid travel document
- Recent passport-sized pictures
- Your fingerprints taken
- Pay the registration fee
Cost of living in Kenya
Most of the expats after they are moving to Kenya from the USA choose to settle down in the major cities of this East African country. Nairobi, the capital city and Mombasa are two bustling cities with urban facilities.
While the cost of living in general is reasonable compared to that of the USA, yet housing, healthcare and schooling can take up a considerable amount from your income in Kenya. It is advised to research and choose well before finalizing the housing and other aspects related to daily life.
Kenya is a land of vibrant culture, rich history and stunning natural beauty. Known globally for being a hub of adventure safari, this country notices a huge tourist footfall every year. When you are moving to Kenya from the USA you will not only experience the rich African culture but will also never run out of entertainment options in this country full of exciting adventure activities.