Import Duty Calculator Kenya
Import Duty Calculator Kenya shows the import duty tax, VAT and levies on any online order before you check out, so there are no surprises at customs.
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About Importing to Kenya
Shopping from AliExpress, Amazon or Alibaba and shipping to Kenya means the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) assesses charges on arrival. The custom duty tax you pay depends on your product category, with import duty, 16% VAT and a 1.5% railway development levy applied to the CIF value of your parcel. Before your goods reach import customs, this tool breaks down every charge — CIF value, duty, VAT and fees — so the customs duty on imports is clear upfront. Whether you're bringing in electronics, clothing or machinery, you'll see the true landed cost based on current KRA rates.
How Import Duties Are Calculated for Kenya
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) calculates import duties using the CIF method — Cost, Insurance, and Freight. When you buy from AliExpress or another international store, the CIF value is your product price plus the shipping cost. KRA then applies the East African Community Common External Tariff (EAC CET) to determine your import duty rate, which varies by product category from 0% for machinery and solar energy up to 25% for electronics and accessories.
After import duty, KRA charges Value Added Tax (VAT) at 16% on the combined CIF value plus duty amount. An Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 2% of the CIF value and a Railway Development Levy (RDL) of 1.5% are also applied. Certain goods like cosmetics attract additional excise duty at 5%. All declarations are processed through KRA's Simba 2005 System, and importers typically work with licensed clearing agents to handle documentation. Use this Kenya customs duty calculator to get your exact breakdown based on current KRA rates.
Kenya Import Tax Rates
Source: official customs authority
| Category | Duty | VAT | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phones & Computers | 0% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
| Electronics | 25% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
| Cosmetics | 35% | 16% | Excise 5% + Levy 4.5% |
| Solar Energy | 0% | 0% | — |
| Accessories | 25% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
| Appliances | 25% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
| Machinery | 0% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
| Clothing | 25% | 16% | Levy 4.5% |
De minimis: $0
Goods under this threshold may clear duty-free
Currency: KES
1 USD ≈ 130 KES
Shipping: $15
Typical international shipping estimate
Example Import Cost Calculation for Kenya
Let's calculate the landed cost for a $50 electronics item shipped to Kenya through AliExpress.
The shipping estimate is $15, giving a CIF value of $65. Import duty at 25% is $16.25. VAT at 16% on the duty-inclusive value comes to $13.00. The Import Declaration Fee at 2% of CIF adds $1.30, and the Railway Development Levy at 1.5% adds $0.98. Your total landed cost is $96.53. In Kenyan shillings at the current rate of 130 KES/USD, that is approximately KES 12,549.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do i calculate import duty in Kenya
Start with the CIF value — your item price plus shipping and insurance in Kenyan shillings — then apply the import duty rate for your product category. Add 16% VAT on the duty-inclusive value plus the 1.5% railway development levy; the calculator above does this automatically at current KRA rates.
How much is import duty in Kenya
Import duty in Kenya ranges from 0% on many electronics and raw materials to 25% or more on finished goods like clothing and footwear. The exact rate depends on your product's tariff category, so enter your item above to see the figure that applies to your order.
How to calculate customs duty in Kenya
Customs duty is charged as a percentage of the CIF value — the cost of the goods plus freight and insurance. Identify your product category, apply its EAC Common External Tariff rate, and the tool factors in VAT and levies to give you the complete bill.
How to calculate duty and vat on imports in Kenya
Duty is calculated first on the CIF value, then VAT at 16% is applied to the total of the CIF value plus the duty. Because VAT stacks on top of duty, the calculator sequences the two correctly so your estimate matches what KRA will charge.
How customs duty is calculated in Kenya
KRA bases customs duty on the CIF value and the tariff classification of your goods under the East African Community Common External Tariff. Rates, exemptions and any excise depend on the category, all of which the calculator applies to produce your landed cost.