The Kenya market for Indian hotel & restaurant supplies
Hotel projects in East and West Africa; Kenya PVoC applies to many consumer items.
Indian community in Kenya (Ministry of External Affairs estimate): 80,000 (PIO 60,000 + NRI 20,000).
Hotel & Restaurant Supplies specification for Kenya orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel | 304 / 18-10 for cutlery and buffet; 201 for budget lines (typical) |
| Copperware | Hammered copper with stainless or tin lining for food contact (typical) |
| Gastronorm | GN 1/1 to 1/9, depths 20-200 mm per EN 631 (typical) |
| Ceramics | Stoneware/porcelain, lead- and cadmium-safe glazes (typical) |
| Chafing dishes | 6-9 L, fuel or electric, roll-top or lift-top (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the Kenya requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in Kenya
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | KEBS / Pharmacy & Poisons Board | KEBS standardisation mark; PPB registration for pharma |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping hotel & restaurant supplies to Kenya
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → Mombasa: 9-15 days. Via Salalah/Jebel Ali or direct East Africa loops; KEBS PVoC CoC issued in India before shipment
Supply window: Indian hotel & restaurant supplies is mainly produced or harvested Year-round; Year-round; hotel pre-opening & renovation cycles. Allow 9-15 days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and Kenya customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' ~25-30 cbm, 40' HC ~60-68 cbm (volume-limited).
Quoted on FOB, FCA, CIF, DAP; CIF Mombasa is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in Kenya
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | Inland (~480 km); Port of Mombasa via SGR to Nairobi Inland Container Depot (Embakasi) · J | textile/garment wholesalers (Eastleigh), Indian-Kenyan (Parklands/Ngara) grocery & spice importers, pharma distributors & KEMSA tenders |
| Mombasa | Port of Mombasa (Kilindini; KPA; East Africa's largest; serves Uganda/Rwanda/S.Sudan/DRC t | HORECA (coast tourism), clearing & forwarding agents/transit traders to Uganda-Rwanda, Indian-Kenyan (Old Town) traders |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import hotel & restaurant supplies into Kenya?
Key requirements: Registration — KEBS / Pharmacy & Poisons Board (KEBS standardisation mark; PPB registration for pharma). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to Kenya take?
Typically 9-15 days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to Mombasa, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does Kenya have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA. India–Kenya trade governed by MFN tariffs (EAC Common External Tariff) [S7 — Kenya not mentioned] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to hotel & restaurant supplies from India?
Usually HS 732393. Kenya applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
Is copper serveware safe for food?
Only when lined with stainless steel or tin on food-contact surfaces. Unlined copper is decorative.
Can you supply a complete hotel F&B package?
Yes. Buffet ware, serveware, cutlery, crockery and glassware from different clusters, consolidated into one shipment.
Do you meet gastronorm sizes?
Yes, GN pans in standard EN 631 sizes and depths.
Related guides
Request a quote: hotel & restaurant supplies to Kenya
Tell us grade, quantity and your port in Kenya. We quote CIF/CFR with the destination documents listed above.