Kenya - Customs
Arriving by Yacht:
As soon as you have been cleared by Health, go and visit the Kenya Revenue Service (Customs). They will issue you with a Transhire document, needed when travelling inter-port domestically within Kenya. You will need to give them a crew list.
The Transhire is not a requirement when traveling within the same county jurisdiction (i.e between Watamu and Kilifi) as they are both in Kilifi county. Sailing from Lamu south without a Transhire is an invitation for problems.
See Documents for more details.
Length of Stay:
There is no specified limit on the period a yacht may remain in Kenya
and some have remained for several years while the owners were absent.
Boats should not be left completely unattended as there have been
several reports of theft.
Other Items:
- Firearms must be declared on arrival. These will be impounded and released only on departure.
- The import of fruits, plants and seeds, and imitation firearms are prohibited, as are meat, meat products and any product from poultry, which must be declared and will be destroyed.
- The export of gold, diamonds and wildlife skins or game trophies not obtained through the authorized Kenyan government department is prohibited. If purchasing souvenirs in these categories, ensure all paperwork is completed accurately.
Importing Parts/Spares:
Visiting sailors can buy or have shipped equipment such as engines, instruments and sails. By using a clearing agent, who will provide a bond, it is possible to avoid paying local importation taxes. Proof of onward travel will be expected.
Last updated: February 2021
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Trusted Travel Codes
As of Monday, January 11, all travellers entering or departing Kenya must present a digitally-verified negative COVID-19 test.
Departing travellers: Starting on January 11, 2020, outgoing travellers must obtain a negative COVID-19 certificate in accordance with the trusted Traveller (TT) Initiative (www.africacdc.org/trusted-travel) and the PanaBios system (www.panabios.org).
Travellers who intend to depart Kenya must first visit an authorised laboratory (according to the government of Kenya, all PCR COVID-19 testing laboratories are now part of the TT system), obtain a PCR COVID-19 test with a negative result, and be issued a TT code that be verified by airlines and immigration authorities. The traveller will receive a text message (SMS) from PanaBios as well as an email from the testing laboratory and/or from admin@panabios.org with a link to guide the traveller on how to generate a Travel Code at trustedtravel.panabios.org. If the test results meets Kenya’s exit requirements, a Travel Code is issued to the traveller online.
All COVID-19 testing laboratories, starting on Saturday, January 9, 2021, must use the TT process when issuing COVID-19 testing certificates.
Arriving travelers: The government of Kenya also announced that, starting on January 11, 2021 this new TT electronic verification system will also apply to the negative COVID-19 certificates that are already required for travelers who are entering Kenya; however, details are not available at this time. The Embassy is seeking clarification of this new requirement for incoming travelers and will report any additional information to the U.S. citizen community.
No More Kenya Visa on Arrival to Kenya
Effective January 1, 2021, Kenya has banned all visas on arrival.
You must apply for your visa wall in advance of your intended travel to Kenya. Fortunately you can apply for your visa to Kenya online and the Kenya e-visa costs only US $51 in total to get in about 48 hours.
Click here to apply and create your eCitizen account: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html