Money and duty free for Kenya
Currency and Money
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
Travellers cheques are no longer accepted in Kenya.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1100. Banks in Mombasa and the coastal areas open and close half an hour earlier. Banks in airports tend to open earlier and close later; typical hours are 0700-1900.
Currency restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign currency. Local currency may be imported or exported up to the amount equivalent of US$6,000.
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
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Kenya by passengers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 250g of tobacco products.
• 1L of spirits or 2L of wine.
• 500ml of perfume and eau de toilette, of which not more than a quarter may be perfume.
Banned Imports
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 historic artefacts.
