Kenya

Scope

Kenyan seaports are administered separately by customs, immigration and port authorities. The official Border Management Secretariat list differs from the Immigration Department's current port-operations page: the former includes Kilifi, while the latter currently marks it closed. Follow the latest notice from the responsible authority and obtain written confirmation before departure about ports that accept foreign private yachts. An official “designated port” list does not automatically mean yachts can clear there.

Ports of entry and departure

The Immigration Department's current port page lists operating seaports including Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa Old Port/Kilindini, Shimoni and Vanga, with hours for some locations. The page marks Kilifi as closed, while another Border Management Secretariat seaport list still includes it; the official sources conflict. These port statuses do not confirm reception of foreign private yachts. Before departure, obtain written confirmation from the destination port and immigration/customs authorities.

Regulation 30 of Kenya's National Electronic Single Window System (General) Regulations, 2023 requires users of the National Electronic Single Window to submit advance notification of a vessel's arrival at and departure from a Kenyan seaport. It does not set a uniform advance-notice period in that regulation. Kenya's Maritime Single Window information says vessel and passenger clearance at Mombasa Port is handled electronically, with FAL forms submitted by a licensed ship agent to the relevant authorities for pre-arrival approval. KRA's requirement to complete Pre-Arrival Clearance (PAC) at least 48 hours in advance concerns pre-clearance of imported cargo; it is not the ETA notification deadline for a private yacht. Confirm with the destination port and KenTrade/KPA whether a private yacht must use an agent and what notice period applies.

Crew and passenger entry

Each crew member must check Kenya's current entry and electronic travel authorization (eTA) requirements according to nationality and purpose of travel. The Immigration Department publishes applicable exemption categories and traveller responsibilities on arrival. General traveller guidance does not fully explain seaport processing, crew visas or shore-leave permission for foreign private-yacht crew. Check documents for each person and confirm arrival-by-sea procedures with the immigration office at the destination port before departure.

Kenyan regulations establish a National Electronic Single Window for vessel arrival/departure notices, permit applications and electronic documents. Kenya's Maritime Single Window information lists Mombasa vessel-clearance documents as FAL 1–7 (general declaration, cargo declaration, ship's stores, crew effects, crew list, passenger list and dangerous-goods manifest), last port of call, maritime health declaration, waste declaration, firearms declaration and vessel certificates. The information says these forms are submitted by a licensed agent for pre-arrival approval by the relevant authorities. KRA requires restricted goods to follow licensing and declaration rules. Official material reviewed does not confirm the temporary-import period, bond/guarantee, duty-free allowance for stores or complete clearance list for foreign private yachts. Confirm with KPA/KRA whether the Mombasa commercial-vessel agency process applies in full to private yachts.

Quarantine and biosecurity

Plants and plant products require import permits under the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) rules and phytosanitary certificates according to category. Animal-disease regulations set requirements for animal entry, veterinary certificates and quarantine; cats and dogs may also require vaccination and health records. These are general import/health rules, not a yacht-specific procedure. Older cruisers' reports mention flying the Q flag at Kilifi and waiting for quarantine, but the current official port page marks Kilifi as closed, and the reports are not a national rule. Reported, not verified. Tell port health and quarantine authorities in advance if carrying pets, food or plants.

Restricted items

Categories listed by the Kenya Revenue Authority as restricted include firearms and ammunition, wildlife products, used cartridge cases, historical artefacts, drones, medicines and plants; drugs and other items are prohibited. Declaration, permit or prohibition rules depend on the item, so check the customs list category by category. Public information does not explain special treatment such as sealed firearms kept aboard a private yacht. Do not assume they may be carried or taken ashore.

Port procedures

Before arrival, contact the port authority/Harbour Master, KRA Customs, Immigration Department and port health office at the intended destination to confirm current operating status, yacht reception permission, reporting method, anchoring instructions, quarantine and clearance sequence. Official lists conflict about Kilifi; the Immigration Department currently marks it closed. Confirm status with the responsible authority first. Cruisers have reported that a local boatyard in Kilifi helped contact authorities, and mentioned a Q flag and immigration formalities in Malindi. These are individual experiences, and Kilifi's current official status is closed. Reported, not verified; this is not a current rule or procedure for other ports.

Fees and departure

The Kenya Ports Authority's 2025 tariff, effective 15 September 2025, lists vessel-service charges for pilotage, tugs, mooring, light dues and port/harbour fees. Amounts vary by gross tonnage, port, service and applicable exemptions. The tariff's USD 350 per year provision for private craft/yachts relates to the use of private buoys or mooring facilities; it is not a uniform clearance charge or a rate for an ordinary yacht berth. Before departure, request a quote for this vessel from the destination port and separately confirm customs, immigration, quarantine and port charges.