Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
The quickest way to ship from Nigeria to Kenya is by air through Lagos. Kenya Airways operates about 9 direct flights a week from Lagos to Nairobi, each around 5 hours. Express courier parcels typically arrive in days, and air cargo takes a little longer once clearance is included. Bulk goods can go by sea to Mombasa, which is cheaper per kilo but much slower. The cost depends on weight, size, service and the item’s value. On the Kenyan side, the importer usually pays duty plus 16% VAT, a 3.5% Import Declaration Fee and a 2% Railway Development Levy.
Nigeria and Kenya trade in both directions. Businesses ship fashion, cosmetics, food items and documents, and families send gifts. This guide explains your shipping options, the documents and taxes involved, how to estimate the cost, and how to avoid delays at customs.
Overview: the Lagos to Nairobi corridor
- Distance: about 3,860 km (roughly 2,400 miles) by air.
- Direct flights: Kenya Airways runs around 9 direct Lagos to Nairobi flights a week, with a fastest flight time of about 5 hours 15 minutes. It accounts for about 69% of departures on the route.
- Other carriers: RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, ASKY, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines and others connect the two cities through their hubs.
Direct passenger flights matter for shipping because much air cargo travels in passenger aircraft holds. A frequent direct service usually means faster, more predictable air freight.
Common items shipped from Nigeria to Kenya
- Documents, contracts and academic certificates
- African fashion, fabrics (Ankara, lace) and footwear
- Hair and beauty products, shea butter and cosmetics
- Packaged foods and spices (check restrictions first)
- Samples, spare parts and small electronics
- Commercial goods for resale
Shipping options compared
| Option | Best for | Speed | Cost level | Customs handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International express courier (DHL, UPS, FedEx) | Documents, samples, small parcels | Fastest, usually days | Highest per kg | Courier’s broker clears the item; duties are billed to the receiver |
| Air cargo through a freight forwarder | Cartons of 20 kg and more, commercial stock | Fast, plus clearance time | Medium; cheaper per kg at volume | You or your agent clears at the Nairobi airport |
| Sea freight to Mombasa | Heavy or bulk goods, containers | Slowest (weeks) | Lowest per kg | A clearing agent at Mombasa handles it |
| Postal (NIPOST EMS) | Low-value personal items | Variable | Low to medium | Postal customs process |
Speeds and costs are relative. Get a written quote for your exact weight, size and destination town.
Estimated shipping costs in 2026
We could not find a public rate card for Nigeria to Kenya from any major courier that we could verify for 2026. Carriers price each shipment through their online quote tools. The ranges in the older version of this guide were not tied to a published source, so we have removed them rather than guess. To get a real price:
- Weigh and measure the packed parcel. Couriers charge whichever is higher: actual weight or volumetric weight (length x width x height, divided by the carrier’s divisor).
- Get quotes from at least two couriers and one freight forwarder for the same box.
- Ask whether the quote is door to door, and who pays Kenyan duties and taxes.
- Add the Kenyan import charges below if the receiver will pay them.
What pushes the price up: heavy or bulky boxes, express service, lithium batteries and other dangerous goods, remote delivery addresses in Kenya, and fuel surcharges.
Customs and documentation
Leaving Nigeria
- A commercial invoice or pro-forma invoice with a clear description, quantity, unit value and total value
- A packing list for multi-carton shipments
- Sender and receiver ID and full contact details, including Kenyan phone numbers
- Commercial exports may need extra export documentation through your bank and the Nigeria Customs Service. Ask your forwarder before you pack.
Arriving in Kenya
Kenya applies the East African Community tariff. Duties on imports can range from 0% to 100%, with an average of about 25%, depending on the product’s HS code. The US International Trade Administration’s Kenya guide (July 2024) also lists:
| Charge | Rate | Applied to |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0% to 100% (average about 25%) | Set by the product's HS code |
| VAT | 16% | CIF value plus duty and other taxes |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) | 3.5% | Imported goods (confirm the basis with KRA) |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) | 2% | Imported goods (confirm the basis with KRA) |
| Excise duty | Varies | Excisable goods only |
Source: US International Trade Administration, Kenya Import Tariffs (5 July 2024). Rates can change with Kenya’s annual Finance Act, so check the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) before shipping.
Tips for smooth clearance: declare the true value, because undervaluing leads to holds and penalties. Describe goods precisely, for example “10 women’s cotton dresses” rather than “clothes”. Ask the receiver to confirm the KRA registration details needed for commercial imports, and check whether your product needs Kenyan standards or health approvals before sending food, cosmetics or electronics.
Trusted logistics providers
For small, urgent parcels, the global express networks operate in both countries. See our guides to UPS Nigeria and how FedEx delivery works in Nigeria. For cartons and commercial stock, a freight forwarder with airline cargo space is usually better value. Our list of logistics companies in Nigeria covers the options.
Travo.ng can collect your parcel anywhere in Nigeria and hand it to the international carrier or forwarder, or arrange the international shipment for you. See Travo international shipping. Travo is an independent platform and not an official agent of any airline or courier.
Shipping to Kenya?
Book a pickup and get a quote for your parcel or cargo to Nairobi, Mombasa or elsewhere in Kenya.
Shipping tips
- Pack for handling: use double-walled cartons, fill empty space, and tape all seams.
- Keep boxes compact: volumetric weight can double your bill for a light but bulky box.
- Consolidate: one 20 kg shipment is usually cheaper per kilo than four 5 kg parcels.
- Insure valuables: standard courier liability is limited.
- Track and share: send the tracking number to the receiver straight away. See how to track a package.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Nigeria to Kenya take?
Express courier parcels usually arrive in days, because direct Lagos to Nairobi flights take about 5 hours. Air cargo adds clearance time. Sea freight to Mombasa takes weeks.
How much does it cost to send a parcel from Nigeria to Kenya?
It depends on weight, size, speed and value. No verified public 2026 rate card exists, so get quotes from at least two couriers and a forwarder for your exact box.
Who pays customs duty in Kenya?
Usually the receiver, unless you choose a duties-paid service. Charges can include import duty, 16% VAT, a 3.5% IDF and a 2% Railway Development Levy.
Are there direct flights from Lagos to Nairobi?
Yes. Kenya Airways operates about 9 direct flights a week, with a flight time of around 5 hours.
Can I send food items to Kenya?
Some packaged foods can be sent, but many food and agricultural products need permits or are restricted. Check with the courier and Kenyan authorities before sending.
Is sea freight worth it for Kenya?
For heavy or bulk commercial goods, often yes, because it is cheaper per kilo. For small parcels, the extra clearing costs and weeks of transit usually make air better.
Related guides
- DHL price list from Nigeria to Canada
- DHL price list from Nigeria to Germany
- British Airways cargo and courier via IAG Cargo
- How many hours from Nigeria to the USA by ship?
Sources: Expedia Lagos–Nairobi route page (checked 28 Sep 2026); US ITA Kenya Import Tariffs (5 Jul 2024). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
