Moving to Kenya

The India–Kenya corridor is one of the oldest and most active links between India and East Africa. A large, long-established Indian-origin community in Nairobi and Mombasa and Kenya’s position as the region’s commercial hub make this a busy route for household and business relocations alike. Indian professionals in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT and agribusiness move to Kenya in steady numbers.

A move to Kenya begins at the India end. Export clearance is filed through ICEGATE, the shipping bill prepared under the Customs Act, the AD code registered with the originating port, and the household or office packed for an Indian Ocean transit. The Kenyan end is handled by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs & Border Control, which allows returning residents and qualifying new arrivals relief on used personal and household effects, subject to the import declaration being lodged correctly and the documentation matching the work permit or residence status.

The India–Kenya corridor

Sea freight is the backbone of this route for household and commercial volumes. Container vessels from Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai and Cochin call at Mombasa — East Africa’s largest port — on well-established Indian Ocean services, with port-to-port transit times typically in the range of 12 to 22 days depending on routing and any transhipment. Mombasa’s relative proximity to India makes this one of the more direct India–Africa corridors. From Mombasa, onward road or rail delivery reaches Nairobi and the interior.

Air freight from Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR) or Chennai (MAA) into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi serves moves on a tighter timeline. Direct and one-stop services place a shipment in Kenya quickly, and air suits smaller, urgent consignments. The cost premium over sea is considerable, and we help you balance speed against budget for the volume you are moving.

Who moves on this corridor

This single corridor serves the full range of moves. Household relocations bring engineers, construction managers, doctors, IT specialists and agribusiness staff and their families settling in Nairobi and Mombasa. Business and office moves cover Indian companies establishing East African operations, relocating staff and equipment. Commercial freight covers trade goods, project cargo and exhibition material between the two markets.

Where we deliver in Kenya

We move regularly to Kenya’s major cities and their surrounding areas: Nairobi, the capital and commercial hub; Mombasa on the coast; Nakuru in the Rift Valley; Kisumu on Lake Victoria; Eldoret in the western highlands; and Thika in the central region. If your destination lies outside these centres, ask us — we deliver across the whole country.

How your move works

1. India-side survey. We assess volume and contents at your home or office in India — in person in major cities or by video — and return a clear quote with sea and air options and realistic Mombasa or Nairobi arrival windows.
2. Export documentation. Indian export paperwork is prepared: shipping bill filed through ICEGATE, AD code confirmed, packing list, invoice and any FEMA-related declarations relevant to your move.
3. Pack and dispatch. Our crew packs to export standard from your India origin, and the shipment is booked and dispatched on the confirmed route to Mombasa or Jomo Kenyatta International.
4. Clear and deliver in Kenya. We manage KRA customs clearance, advise on relief for used effects, and coordinate onward delivery to your address.

To start a move from India to Kenya, request a quote and your coordinator will walk you through the right approach for your shipment.