Customer Reviews
Reviews from customers who have sent a parcel to Kenya
After a small set-back at the start all went very smoothly and quickly, thanks to Tessa their Customer Service rep. Good service.
no comment but is fast and very good
Excellent service, pickup and delivery on time, all at a great price.
Excellent service as always
Price,speed of response and delivery were excellent. If required again I would definitely use ParcelMonkey
it was easy from start to finish, many thanks (and i never give feedback!)
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Useful information for sending a parcel to Kenya
As a major trading partner,
United Kingdom shippers should be aware of the requirements to send goods to Kenya.
Until 1963, Kenya was under the umbrella of British leadership. The country became independent at that time, but was largely dominated by a single political party with strong leadership. This continued well into the 1980s, when multiple parties began to vie for power and influence in Kenyan government. While this led to a more open and diverse policy, it also caused civil unrest as rivals fought over who would be in control of the African nation. By 2002, Mwai Kibaki ended up ahead, leading the nation into a new era of increased prosperity. Still, conflict remains and government changes are on-going as the leadership strives to discourage unrest and reduce public rivalries. As an economist, Kibaki has focused on improving the quality of life in Kenya, where many of the 40 million citizens still live in poverty. This improvement has also helped reduce crime rates in the developing nation. Surprisingly, Kenya actually has the highest GDP in the immediate region.
As a trading power, Kenya has a lot to offer. The United Kingdom has always been one of Kenya's most important trading partners, a fact that has remained since independence. Located on the equator, Kenya has a beautiful and mild climate with stunning landscapes, making it a mecca for tourism. This industry accounts for about two-thirds of the GDP, with a good portion of visitors coming from Britain and surrounding European nations. Agriculture remains a major part of Kenya's economy, with the country producing major crops of tea, coffee, flowers, corn, cotton, sugar cane and tropical fruits. Kenya also has strong financial and manufacturing sectors.
Import Restrictions
While some countries make it hard to discern exactly what products can and cannot be shipped through their borders, Kenya publishes a straightforward and easy to understand list of prohibited and restricted imports. This list is made available through the Kenya Revenue Authority. Prohibited items include counterfeit money, pornographic material, some types of matches, certain essential oils, narcotic drugs, specific industrial and agricultural chemicals, hazardous waste and counterfeit products.
In addition to the prohibited products, Kenya places restrictions on other types of imports. These restrictions apply to shipments that include:
- game animal traps,
- unrefined precious metal or stones,
- various types of weapons,
- ammunition,
- bones,
- horns,
- ivory from various types of game animals,
- coral,
- natural sponges,
- endangered plants,
- genetically-modified products and artefacts.
The full and informative list of Kenyan restrictions can be found
here.
Useful Information
Anything that is sent to Kenya must comply with labelling laws that are administered through the Kenya Bureau of Standards. Because the United Kingdom is such a strong trading partner, it is possible to obtain proper accreditation locally. Kenya licenses two British companies to inspect products and issue proper certifications for import. The main purpose of this program is to ensure that no substandard goods enter Kenya.
Besides these requirements, Kenya remains quite open and easy to work with, especially for strong trading partners like the United Kingdom. Kenya encourages a strong relationship with British companies, both in importation and investment. This makes importing to Kenya quite straightforward.
