Updated 28 October 2026
Import duty on online shopping in Kenya is charged on most parcels from outside the East African Community, whatever the order size. KRA assesses import duty at the EAC tariff rate for the product (0%, 10%, 25% or 35%, higher for sensitive items), adds 16% VAT on the duty-inclusive value, and may add excise and levies. If you shop Black Friday deals from abroad, budget for these on top of the price and shipping, and keep the invoice: Customs uses it to value your parcel.
Updated 28 October 2026. Sources: KRA “Procedures for Clearance of your Imported Postal Parcels” (KRA blog, 19 November 2021) and KRA imports page (checked 28 Oct 2026); EAC Common External Tariff 2022.
Import duty on online shopping in Kenya: what you pay
| Charge | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0%, 10%, 25% or 35% (EAC CET band for the product); sensitive items higher | Customs value (item price plus shipping and insurance) |
| Excise duty | Only on excisable goods | Set by the Excise Duty Act |
| VAT | 16% (0% for exempt items) | Customs value plus import duty and excise |
| IDF and RDL | 3.5% and 2%, as listed on KRA’s imports page | Value of imports, where charged |
| Posta handling | Usually KSh 175 if no storage is due | Postal parcels collected at Posta |
Which band applies depends on the product’s HS code. Our guide to KRA customs duty rates and HS codes shows how to look it up.
A worked illustration
Here is how import duty on online shopping in Kenya adds up. Suppose a jacket’s customs value (price plus shipping) is KSh 10,000 and it falls in the 25% band, with no excise. This is an illustration using the statutory rates; your item’s band may differ.
- Import duty: 25% x 10,000 = KSh 2,500
- VAT: 16% x (10,000 + 2,500) = KSh 2,000
- Duty and VAT together: KSh 4,500, or 45% on top of the customs value
If IDF and RDL are charged on your entry, they add 5.5% of the value (KSh 550 here), and Posta handling adds about KSh 175. That is why a “50% off” deal abroad can end up costing about the same as buying locally.
How to clear a parcel at Posta
KRA’s procedure for parcels handled by the Postal Corporation of Kenya:
- Bring your ID, passport or residence permit and the tracking number to Posta to retrieve the parcel.
- Open the parcel in front of the customs officer, who assesses the taxes. Prohibited goods are seized; restricted goods are held until you present the required permit.
- Show the invoice. Without one, Customs uses other valuation methods to set the value.
- The assessment is recorded on the Postal Slip (P195) and a payment slip (F147) is generated. Pay the taxes by mobile money, bank or card.
- Pay Posta’s handling and storage charges (usually KSh 175 if no storage is due) and collect.
Items worth over US$1,000 or KSh 100,000, or heavier than 70kg, need a formal customs entry. For parcels sent on to a post office without a customs officer, the tax demand travels with the parcel and you pay the taxes and postal charges when you collect.
Courier deliveries (DHL, FedEx, Aramex and others)
Couriers clear parcels through KRA on your behalf and pass the duties and taxes to you, usually before delivery, sometimes with their own clearance fee. Check the courier’s duty-payment terms and keep your invoice and order confirmation ready, because the courier will ask for them.
Black Friday checklist for buying from abroad
Before you check out, factor import duty on online shopping in Kenya into every comparison.
- Compare the landed price: item + shipping + duty + VAT + handling, against the same item from a local shop. Our list of the best online shopping sites in Kenya helps with local prices.
- Keep the invoice. Without it Customs may value the parcel itself.
- Avoid restricted goods unless you have the permit (for example, items needing approval from a regulator).
- Pay with a card built for online shopping, such as the M-Pesa GlobalPay virtual card.
- Check the seller. Fake discount sites spike in November; see how to check online sellers and our Black Friday 2026 guide.
For questions on a postal parcel, KRA lists the Customs office at Post Parcel Nairobi (postpnrbcustoms@kra.go.ke).
Official sources: KRA: clearance of imported postal parcels and KRA: importing and exporting.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay duty on items bought online from abroad?
Generally yes. KRA assesses import duty by product band and 16% VAT on goods from outside the EAC, plus excise and levies where they apply.
How much duty will I pay on a parcel in Kenya?
It depends on the product’s CET band. On a 25% item with no excise, duty and VAT together add 45% of the customs value, before levies and handling.
What do I need to collect a parcel from Posta?
Your ID, passport or residence permit, the tracking number and the invoice. Customs assesses the taxes after the parcel is opened, and you pay by mobile money, bank or card.
When do I need a formal customs entry?
KRA says items over US$1,000 or KSh 100,000, or over 70kg, need a customs entry, usually lodged by a licensed clearing agent.
Are goods from Uganda or Tanzania taxed the same way?
Goods that meet EAC rules of origin are free of import duty within the EAC, though VAT and other domestic taxes can still apply.
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