Shipping from Dubai to KenyaShipping from Dubai to Kenya, by sea and air.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to Kenya for businesses. We ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Mombasa, with onward delivery to Nairobi by rail or road, and fly air cargo from DXB to Nairobi (NBO). We prepare export papers and check KEBS PVoC certificates and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) requirements before the cargo leaves.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to Kenya at a glance
Most cargo to Kenya goes by sea to Mombasa. Nairobi is reached by rail or truck from the port, or directly by air for urgent goods.
- Flight time
- About 5 h DXB to Nairobi
- Sea
- Jebel Ali to Mombasa
- Customs
- KRA, on iCMS
- VAT
- 16% on imports
Airports and seaports in Kenya we ship to
Cargo for Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan often lands at Mombasa and travels on in transit.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | NBO | Jomo Kenyatta International, East Africa's main air cargo hub | |
| Airport | MBA | Moi International, on the coast | |
| Seaport | KEMBA | East Africa's largest port, also serving Uganda and Rwanda | |
| Inland depot | ICD Nairobi | Inland container depot linked to Mombasa by rail |
Air, sea to Kenya
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Mombasa | About 2 to 3 weeks, service dependent | Machinery, materials, trading stock |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Mombasa | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads |
| DXB to NBO | About 1 to 2 days, plus clearance | Spare parts, electronics, samples |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to Kenya
- Emirates SkyCargo
- flydubai
- Kenya Airways
We confirm current sailings and inland rail or road options for each booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in Kenya: what the importer needs
A licensed clearing agent lodges the entry with the Kenya Revenue Authority. Permits and certificates go through KenTrade.
| Item | In Kenya |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Customs and Border Control |
| Declaration | Entry on the KRA Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS); permits through the KenTrade single window |
| Importer registration | KRA PIN for the importer; entries by a licensed clearing agent |
| Duty and tax | East African Community Common External Tariff, VAT at 16%, plus the Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy |
| Trade agreement | A UAE-Kenya CEPA was signed in January 2025; check whether it is in force before claiming any preference |
Levy rates are set in Kenya's Finance Act and can change each year.
Approvals to check before booking
Kenya checks product conformity before shipment. Regulated goods arriving without a certificate face delays and penalties.
- 01
Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity issued before shipment under the PVoC programme.
- 02
ISM marks
Some imported products need KEBS Import Standardisation Marks.
- 03
Pharmacy and Poisons Board
Medicines and medical products need approval from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
- 04
KEPHIS and food rules
Plants and agricultural goods need KEPHIS clearance; food needs safety approval.
- 05
Certificate of origin
Supports any preferential duty claim.
- 06
Goods for Uganda or Rwanda move under transit bond from Mombasa.
Documents for shipping to Kenya
Send these with your booking. Regulated goods need the PVoC certificate before the ship sails.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, origin and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| PVoC proof for regulated products | |
| States where the goods were made |
Restricted or banned in Kenya
- Regulated goods without a PVoC certificate
- Medicines without approval
- Used goods outside the rules
- Counterfeit goods
- Narcotics
Vehicles have their own age limit and inspection rules. Ask us before shipping a vehicle.
What UAE businesses ship to Kenya
Kenya is one of the UAE's largest trade partners in East Africa, and Dubai is a major source of goods for Kenyan importers.
- 01
Machinery and equipment
Industrial and construction equipment by sea.
- 02
Electronics and telecoms
Phones, IT and telecom equipment.
- 03
Consumer goods
FMCG and trading stock in FCL and LCL.
Dubai to Kenya shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneIt is Kenya's pre-shipment proof that regulated goods meet standards. Under the PVoC programme, an appointed inspection agency checks the products before they leave Dubai and issues a Certificate of Conformity. Regulated goods arriving in Mombasa without it face delays, extra inspection and penalties.
- Arrange the inspection before loading.
- Check if your product is regulated.
Cargo moves by rail or truck after landing at Mombasa. The standard gauge railway links the port with the Nairobi inland container depot, where containers can clear customs. Trucks also run the Mombasa to Nairobi highway. Urgent goods can fly directly from DXB to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta airport.
- Ask for clearance at ICD Nairobi.
- Air takes about five hours.
Imports pay the EAC tariff, 16% VAT and Kenyan levies. The East African Community Common External Tariff sets the duty by HS code. The Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy are charged on the customs value. Excise duty applies to some goods. The clearing agent confirms the total.
- Levy rates are set each Finance Act.
- VAT is on value plus duty.
Yes, Mombasa serves Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Cargo lands at Mombasa and moves inland under customs transit, by rail or truck, without paying Kenyan duty. The destination country clears it on arrival. Tell us the final destination when booking so we prepare the right transit papers.
- Transit bonds secure the duty.
- Some cargo routes via Dar es Salaam instead.