KARIBU KENYA - UNON - the United Nations Office at Nairobi

the ages of 18 and 21 must also complete a Notification of Arrival before they
can be issued with Diplomatic Identity Cards.
Shipments of Personal Effects
All personal effects and household goods should be shipped or sent by
airfreight directly to one’s agency, well in advance of your employment start
date. It is prohibited to include any wildlife species or the products of species
considered threatened or endangered by the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species, while agricultural produce and domestic pets
are only permitted with a special import permit. Firearms can only be
imported with an import permit from the Central Firearms Bureau, although
the UN strongly advises against the importation of firearms. Staff members
who are in doubt as to whether any items in their possession could be restricted
should consult their nearest Kenyan Embassy or High Commission.
It is recommended that essential household items are bought as accompanied
baggage by air, as shipping or airfreight can take a long time and
frequently entail delays. Storage costs can be very high, and new staffers are
advised to fax copies of their Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, invoices and an
itemised inventory of their shipping consignment to the HCRU or protocol
office at least two weeks before their arrival, to enable them to obtain the
necessary customs exemptions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Duty Free Imports
International staffers are entitled to import most household goods duty-free
into Kenya, although this permission does not extend to permanent fixtures
such as fitted kitchens or wall units. New staff members are exempt from
paying duty on only one of each major electrical appliance, such as refrigerators,
cookers, washing machines, computers, televisions, stereo systems, DVD
players, video cameras and radios. International staff can also claim a refund
for VAT paid on locally manufactured furniture and other household effects.
Entry Visa Requirements
Nationals of Commonwealth countries and other countries with bilateral visa
agreements with the Government of Kenya will be issued with Kenyan visas
upon arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.The visa fee will
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