Money & duty free for Kenya
Exchange rates:
Kenyan ShillingC$1 = KSh76.23
€1 = KSh106.34
£1 = KSh127.1
US$1 = KSh102.25
Currency & Money
Kenyan Shilling (KES; symbol KSh) = 100 cents. Banknotes are in denominations of KSh 1,000, 500, 200, 100, and 50. Coins are in denominations of KSh 20, 10, and 5. Smaller denominations, such as KSh1 and 2 coins, exist but are rarely used in everyday transactions.
Credit cards are accepted in Kenya, particularly in major cities, hotels, and large restaurants. Visa is the most commonly accepted card, followed by MasterCard. However, smaller businesses, rural areas, and informal markets may prefer cash, so it's advisable to carry some cash for day-to-day transactions.
ATMs are widely available in urban areas and major towns, and most accept international debit and credit cards.
Residents may import up to KES 500,000 in local currency.
Both residents and non-residents may import foreign currency without restriction, but amounts exceeding USD 10,000 (or its equivalent) must be declared upon arrival.
When departing Kenya, travellers—whether residents or non-residents—must provide supporting documentation for amounts of USD 5,000 or more. This includes evidence of the source of funds and the intended purpose.
Currency exchange is available at banks, foreign exchange bureaus, and major hotels. It's advisable to exchange money only at authorised dealers and to keep receipts, especially if planning to reconvert unused funds upon departure. US Dollars are widely accepted for larger transactions in the tourism sector, though they should be in good condition and printed after 2006.
Kenya duty free
The following goods may be imported into Kenya by travellers aged 18 and above without incurring customs duty:
• 1L spirits or 2L wine.
• 500ml of perfume and eau de toilette, of which perfume must not exceed 125ml.
• Cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, tobacco and snuff – all of it must not exceed 250g.
Prohibited items include counterfeit money and goods, pornography, matches made using white phosphorus, narcotics, soaps and cosmetics containing mercury, and used tyres.
Restricted items include animal traps, unwrought precious metals and stones, arms and ammunition, ivory, hippopotamus teeth, rhinoceros horn, tortoise shell, whalebone, antlers, coral, endangered species, and historical artefacts.
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