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Considering a Move to Kenya?

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Moving to Kenya

With the recent announcement of the discovery of oil in Kenya during early 2012 this makes relocating to Kenya an interest to many in the Oil and Gas Industry. More traditional reasons for moving to Kenya include connections with Kenyan wildlife and the extensive game reserves.

The East African country of Kenya is located next to the Indian Ocean and has borders with Somalia, Ethiopia, Southern Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. Kenya has now grown in population to just over 43 million people in a country sized around 224,961 square miles. This means that when moving to Kenya you will find the country has only a slightly lower population density than that of the UK.

The climate within Kenya varies considerably across this country. Although areas such as the coastal town of Mombasa and the dry north plain lands of Lodwar and Mandera typically have maximum temperatures of over 30 deg C, you will find areas such as the capital of Kenya, Nairobi and the area of Eldoret to have a maximum temperature much lower at just 24 deg C. Eldoret also has a considerably lower minimum temperatures that can drop as low as 9 deg C.

If you are moving to Kenya you will not be far away from a number of large National Parks, were wildlife can be seen in their natural habitat. These include – The National Parks of The Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Mount Kenya, Amboseli, Tsavo, Aberdare, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Nairobi National Park, Sambura Shaba and Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park and Reserve. It is common in these national reserves to see Elephants Buffaloes, Lions and Hippos.

Most exports from Kenya are associated with Agriculture. The largest exports from Kenya include Tea at 18% of their exports and Cut Fresh Flowers which represents 10% of the countries exports.

Abels Moving Services have been providing discrete export packing and shipping services for discerning families and professionals relocating and moving to Kenya for over 50 years.


Modern Nairobi cityscape - capital city of Kenya East Africa

Planning Your Move

When considering moving to Kenya it is important to speak with a specialist international removal company (not your local domestic mover!) as there are pitfalls throughout the process that you will be glad of their assistance.

Before calling, consider whether you want to send all your possessions or just a select few personal effects. To speak to an advisor call our head office on +44 1842 816600 or email shipping@abels.co.uk and you will be contacted shortly to discuss your move.

For full house moves / large volumes it is recommended that a home survey appointment is made so that an International Customer Service Manager can personally visit your home and discuss your moving requirements, allay any concerns you may have and advise upon the process, assess the items to be packed and how best to be protected these during there transit and make judgement on the access to your property to ensure that positioning a larger removal vehicle or shipping container is possible. A full list of all items to be taken will be made by our colleague at this time. A detailed door to door removal proposal will be sent to you shortly following the visit after all costs are collated (including origin, freight, destination services)

Smaller volumes can be discussed over the telephone, email or provided via our online service . Your volume, access, packing requirements and shipping method, will be assessed from the information you provide. A detailed door to door removal proposal will then be produced and either posted or emailed to you for consideration.

After you book with Abels you will be introduced to a Customer Liaison Move Coordinator (who will work on behalf of your Customer Service Manager) booking, organising and managing matters when moving to Kenya.

Talk to our experts

Let Abels plan and coordinate your move to Kenya or anywhere else in the world.

Export Packing

Abels Moving Services advises that Export Packing is a fundamental requirement for all your items and possessions when shipping to Kenya. So what actually is Export Packing, and how do I get advice on what will be required?

Export Packing is a way of protecting items when in transit. It utilises either a 6 ply paper blanket that has a wax inner and a water resistant outer or tough bubble blanket that has a soft cloth inner and robust outer to ensure corners are not exposed. Certain items will need to be card covered, put into a carton or an additional layer of the above wrap to add extra protection – items such as polished furniture, antiques, delicate legs, mirror and glass fronted units.

The level of protection that is needed when moving items for example by road is less stringent but for moving your items travelling thousands of miles in either 20ft Containers or 40ft Containers on their sea journey to Kenya then they will need additional Export Packing protection. Please remember that the goods will be “handled” many times including wrapping, loading the container, road journey to the port, container hoist removes and stacks, container hoist moves from the stack to the loading area near the vessel, loading the vessel crane gantry, sea journey and then the same in reverse. So the protection is paramount in ensuring the contents longevity.

With Abels Moving Services the highest quality export materials are utilised. (ensure you do not use materials that are designed to stay within the UK, the contents of the container will be stacked up to 2 metres and you want the carton at the bottom to stay in shape throughout its journey and protect its contents.


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Fine Art & Specialist Packing Services

Moving Fine Art needs great care and will involve Enhanced Export Packing when shipping to Kenya. Items such as Fine Art Paintings and valuable pieces of furniture along with delicate items such as moving a Grand Father Clock, packing and shipping Barometers, transporting chandeliers all need careful handling while being packed in a specific way. The use of special cases built especially for these items needs to be utilised to give the highest level of protection.

Not only is the Export Packing of these items important, but also how they are dismantled prior to shipping to Kenya. Grand Father Clocks will need their main components taken apart ensuring clearly the weights have been removed prior to casing the clock. Moving a barometer also need specialist packing services and careful handling to avoid any problem with the filled mercury, ensuring the tube is bunged to avoid spillage.

Training, training, training is the key to ensure all packing teams are fully versed in the correct handling and packing techniques. Find more information about how to move.


Airfreight

In Kenya the main airport is that at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). There are two other International Airports at Moi International Airport (MBA) and also at Eldoret International Airport (EDL). Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has five cargo handling facilities which give is a capacity to handle over 200,000 tonnes of cargo each year. The airport also has an animal holding facility.

With sea transit times for shipping your possessions from the UK to Kenya taking in the order of 10 weeks, you may consider to send some of your consignment by Airfreight. Items for Airfreight will need to be Professionally Packed (due to security restrictions not permitting owner packed cartons) and are then loaded into heat treated modules of various sizes and then waterproof covered for added protection against the elements.

Please allow 2 weeks transit door to door for airfreight to allow for UK and Kenyan Security and Customs assessments before delivery is permitted to your new home.

See More information about airfreight shipments.

Enjoy a stress-free move abroad

Get in touch with our removal experts to see how we can help with your move today.

Customs Information

The import of your personal items and household goods into Kenya are subject to import and export rules and regulations. 

Your Abels Move Manager will provide you with tailored information to guide you through this part of the relocation process.

For now, here is a little breakdown of what to expect to help you start planning your move abroad.  

For your items to clear customs, you will need to provide some specific documentation. Our friendly team will discuss these requirements with you ahead of your move, the documents required at customs will depend on your status and personal situation. 

Explore the FIDI Customs Guide for Kenya, for further guidance ahead of your move consultation with a trusted member of the Abels team.

Immigration and passport control at the airport woman border control officer puts a stamp in passport

Destination Services

Abels select our partners from those with the highest quality accreditations. These will normally hold the FIDI-faim quality award to ensure that the standards enjoyed with Abels Moving Services is continued to perform the Customs Clearance and Delivery Service. It’s too late to find that the agents selected are not of the highest standard, so we ensure we use the best on your behalf.

Our destination partners will be advised of your shipment shortly following the departure of the container from the UK. They will make contact with you near to when the container is due to arrive in Kenya so that they can perform the Customs clearance process on your behalf.

Following Customs clearance our partners will contact you to arrange the delivery date of your possessions. Normal service includes delivery, unpacking, set up of normal furniture (not Ikea kit furniture unless agreed) removal and disposal of waste packaging materials and return of the shipping container to wharf. Should you prefer, arrangements can be made for a put away service / maid cleaning / relocation or settling in services – should you have specific requirements, please discuss with your Abels Customs Service Manager or Customs Liaison.

Our destination agent will have the professional experience and local knowledge to handle all the details of import documents, customs clearance and delivery of your possessions for you in Kenya. Abels Moving Services endeavours to ensure your arrival at your new home overseas is smooth and trouble-free, to allow you to settle in as swiftly as possible.

Elephant in water National park of Kenya

Above all, we want you to think of Abels for your next move and the one after that, we don’t simply wish to buy your current move at the risk of losing your future business, goodwill and recommendations!

In conclusion if you are moving to Kenya you are welcome to ask Abels Moving Services to provide you with a removal quotation for your move. If you are moving to another destination other than Kenya we would also be glad to assist you with your move.

Abels Moving Services:
Telephone: +44 (0)1842 816600
Email: shipping@abels.co.uk