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Kenya import duty calculator

Estimate the total tax payable when importing goods into Kenya. Combines Import Duty, Excise Duty, IDF, RDL, and VAT into one calculation.

KES

Cost + Insurance + Freight.

%

Common: 0% raw, 10% intermediate, 25% finished, 35% sensitive.

%

Cars 20-35%, alcohol/tobacco high, most goods 0%.

Result

Import Duty

KES 250,000

Excise Duty

KES 0

IDF (2.5%)

KES 25,000

RDL (2%)

KES 20,000

VAT (16%)

KES 207,200

Total tax payable

KES 502,200

Total landed cost

KES 1,502,200

The Kenya import-tax stack

Importing into Kenya means clearing through Customs. KRA applies a stack of duties and levies in sequence on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight):

  1. Import Duty: % of CIF, varies by item (0% to 35%)
  2. Excise Duty: % of (CIF + Import Duty), only on excisable items
  3. IDF (Import Declaration Fee): 2.5% of CIF
  4. RDL (Railway Development Levy): 2% of CIF
  5. VAT: 16% of (CIF + Import Duty + Excise + IDF + RDL)

The compounding means a 25% Import Duty item often ends up costing roughly 50% on top of CIF after all levies and VAT. The calculator does this stack for you.

Common rate combinations

  • Raw materials, capital goods: 0% Import Duty, 0% Excise. Only IDF + RDL + VAT (~22% all-in).
  • Intermediate goods, semi-finished: 10% Import Duty. Plus IDF + RDL + VAT.
  • Finished consumer goods: 25% Import Duty. Plus IDF + RDL + VAT.
  • Sensitive products (e.g., sugar, dairy): 35% Import Duty.
  • Used cars: 25% Import Duty + Excise (varies 20 to 35% by engine size and age) + IDF + RDL + VAT. Very expensive.
  • Alcohol, tobacco: high Excise (often 50%+) plus all other levies.

Item classification

The Import Duty rate depends on the HS Code (Harmonised System Code) of the item. KRA Customs classifies imports against the East African Community Common External Tariff. If you are unsure of the HS code, KRA Customs or a clearing agent can advise. Mis-classification can lead to penalties.

Frequently asked

How do I find my item's Import Duty rate?

Look up the item's HS Code in the EAC Common External Tariff schedule on the KRA website, or ask a clearing agent. Most retail goods are 25%; raw materials 0% to 10%.

Does this calculator handle used vehicle imports?

It can if you supply the right rates. For a typical used car, Import Duty is 25%, Excise is 25 to 35% depending on engine size and age. The KRA used-car valuation chart gives the CIF for you.

What is CIF?

Cost + Insurance + Freight. The total cost of getting the goods to a Kenyan port (Mombasa for sea, JKIA for air). KRA uses CIF as the base for duty calculation, not just the supplier invoice value.

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