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Money & duty free for Kenya

Currency information: 

Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of KSh1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh20, 10 and 5.

Credit cards: 

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so. Major hotels now also accept payment by credit card, as do major safari companies, travel agencies and restaurants. Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations.

ATM: 

Almost every bank now has an ATM, and they are increasingly being installed at petrol stations in cities and large towns.

Travellers cheques: 

These can be changed at banks, and are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1100. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Currency exchange: 

Currency can be exchanged at the major banks, bureaux de change or authorised hotels. The banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Moi International Airport have 24-hour exchange services. The easiest currencies to exchange are US Dollars, Pounds Sterling and Euros.

Kenya duty free

The following goods may be imported into Kenya by passengers over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits or 2L of wine.
• Perfume and toilet water not exceeding 0.5l, of which not more than a quarter may be perfume.

Banned imports: 

The import of fruit, plants, seeds, live animals, ammunition and imitation firearms is prohibited.

Banned exports: 

The export of gold, diamonds and wildlife skins or game trophies not obtained from the authorised Kenyan government department is also prohibited.

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