Air Shipping from USA to Kenya
Air freight to Kenya in 7-14 working days, with pickup in Nairobi or home delivery
Fast Air Shipping from USA to Kenya
Air shipping is the fastest way to receive packages from the USA to Kenya. Perfect for time-sensitive items, valuable goods, or when you need your packages quickly. For larger or non-urgent shipments, compare it against ocean cargo: ocean takes longer (75-90 days) and is priced by volume, which usually works out cheaper for bulky orders.
Key Benefits
- 7-14 Working Days: Our fastest shipping method
- Freight Insurance: Charged on higher-value items, based on the declared value
- Door-to-Door Service: Optional home delivery across Kenya
- Tracking: Follow your package from our US warehouse to Nairobi
- Consolidation: Packages you ask us to consolidate are billed together, with one minimum charge
Who Should Use Air Shipping?
- Need items quickly (7-14 working days)
- Shipping valuable or fragile items
- Shipping phones, laptops or other electronics
- Prefer faster delivery over lower costs
- Shopping from multiple US stores
Air Shipping Costs from USA to Kenya
Rate Structure
Air shipping rates are calculated per kilogram using chargeable weight: the higher of actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight:
Volumetric Weight Formula:
(Length × Width × Height in inches) ÷ 306 = kg
Chargeable Weight = max(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight)
Air Freight Rates
- Standard Air Rate: from $17.99/kg, all-inclusive of customs clearance and duties
- Minimum Charge: $50 from Texas and $100 from Delaware. There is no minimum weight: you pay the weight times the rate, or the minimum charge, whichever is higher
- Live Quote: see exact pricing for your shipment using our shipping calculator
Additional Costs
The per-kilo rate already includes customs clearance, duties and import taxes for standard personal shipments. On top of it, freight insurance applies to higher-value items, and you can add optional door-to-door delivery instead of collecting from a Nairobi pickup point. Invoices are paid by M-Pesa or card; see our payment options.
Customs & Duties
- Included in the air rate for standard personal shipments
- Clearance handled by Kentex
- Any separate customs charge is shown on your invoice
Freight Insurance
- Charged when the declared value is over the insurance threshold
- Worked out as a percentage of the declared value
Home Delivery (Optional)
- Priced by chargeable weight, not by city
- Same fee structure anywhere in Kenya
- Added to your invoice
Money-Saving Tips
- Consolidate Packages: Ask us to consolidate so your packages are billed together with one minimum charge
- Avoid Oversized Boxes: Volumetric weight is based on box size, so compact packaging costs less
- Use Prepaid Boxes: One fixed price per box
- Compare Ocean for Bulky Items: Ocean is priced by volume and usually costs less for large, non-urgent shipments
Step-by-Step Air Shipping Process
1. Get Your US Warehouse Address
After signing up, you get your own warehouse code to use with our US warehouse address. Texas is our default warehouse for air:
2120 Hutton Dr, STE 300
Carrollton, TX 75006
United States
You can also use our Delaware warehouse (Delaware has no sales tax): 825 Dawson Drive, STE 10-AIR, Newark, DE 19713. See the warehouse codes guide for details.
2. Shop from Any US Store
- Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, etc.
- Use your US warehouse address at checkout
- Shop from multiple stores if needed
3. Create a Pre-Alert
- Log into your account
- Create a pre-alert with the carrier's tracking number
- Add the item value and description, and declare batteries, liquids or perfume
- Choose pickup or door delivery in Kenya
4. Packages Arrive at US Warehouse
- We scan your package in when it arrives
- We weigh and measure it
- Your invoice is created once processing is complete
- Packages are held at the warehouse while any of your invoices is unpaid
5. Consolidation & Shipping
- Air shipments leave every Wednesday (cut-off Monday)
- Packages you ask us to consolidate are billed together
- Consolidated packages are combined after they arrive in Nairobi
- Ship via air freight to Kenya
6. Delivery in Kenya
Pickup Option:
- Westlands office, 65 Muthithi Road, Nairobi
- Pay any invoice balance first; no ID or collection code needed
- No additional fees
Home Delivery Option:
- Choose door delivery on your pre-alert
- The delivery fee is added to your invoice
- Pay by M-Pesa or card
Timeline
- US Store → US Warehouse: depends on the seller and carrier
- Processing at Warehouse: weighing, measuring and invoicing
- Air Departures: every Wednesday, cut-off Monday
- Kenya Clearance: handled by Kentex
- Air freight to Kenya: 7-14 working days
Prepaid Air Shipping Boxes
Fixed-price boxes, each with set dimensions and a weight limit. You pay upfront and send the box to our warehouse with the prepaid label: your carrier can pick it up from your address, or you drop it off.
Box Types
Carrier Flat-Rate Boxes
- Types: USPS and FedEx flat-rate boxes
- Sizes: Small to large, listed with each box
- Best For: Phones, laptops and accessories (no power banks)
Kentex Boxes
- Types: Mini, Small, Standard and Large boxes
- Weight Limit: Each box has its own maximum, shown when you order
- Best For: Clothes, shoes, books, small electronics
Luggage Bags
- Types: Medium and Standard luggage
- Weight Limit: Each bag has its own maximum, shown when you order
- Best For: Large shipments of clothes and multiple items (no batteries or power banks)
See current prices and order prepaid boxes on our prepaid boxes page.
Advantages
- Fixed Pricing: One all-inclusive price per box
- Prepaid Label: Send the box to our warehouse with the label provided
- Easy Budgeting: Know costs upfront
- Fill Capacity: Make the most of the box, up to its weight limit
What You Can & Cannot Ship by Air
✅ Allowed Items
- Clothing, shoes, accessories
- Electronics with built-in batteries (phones, laptops, tablets), declared on your pre-alert
- Books, documents, papers
- Cosmetics, liquids and perfume in small quantities, declared on your pre-alert
- Non-perishable food items
- Toys and games
- Household items
- Jewelry (declare high value items)
❌ Prohibited Items
- Flammable Liquids & Aerosols: Spray cans, nail polish, solvents
- Flammable Items: Lighters, matches, fuel
- Batteries: Loose lithium batteries and power banks
- Weapons: Firearms and ammunition
- Hazardous Materials: Chemicals, compressed gases
- Perishable Food: Fresh produce, meat, dairy
- Counterfeit Goods: Fake designer items
- Illegal Substances: Drugs, narcotics
Ready to Ship by Air?
Get your US warehouse address and start shopping today