Shipping from China to Kenya
Shipping from China to Kenya runs through Mombasa — the gateway for Kenya and the wider inland East Africa region (Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan). Sea takes about 30–45 days; LCL runs $65–110 per CBM and 20ft containers start around $2,000–3,200. Air freight takes 4–8 days at $4.50–8.00 per kg into Nairobi (NBO).
Kenya applies the East African Community common external tariff — duty 0–25% by HS code plus VAT 16%, with some goods also carrying a 2.5% railway development levy. DDP shipping from China to Kenya covers pickup, freight, IDF processing, clearing and door delivery to Nairobi and beyond — every fee listed.
Sea freight from China to Kenya
| Route | Transit | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → Mombasa | 30–42 days | 20ft from ~$2,000 · 40HQ from ~$3,000 |
| LCL (any origin → Kenyan hubs) | 30–45 days | $65–110 per CBM |
| Air: → Nairobi (NBO) | 4–8 days | $4.50–8.00 per kg |
Reference ranges checked September 2026 — live rates change weekly; ask for today’s price. LCL figures are ocean base — destination CFS adds $30–60/CBM on most lanes (listed in every quote we send).
Air freight from China to Kenya
Air freight to Kenya takes 4–8 days at roughly $4.50–8.00 per chargeable kg into Nairobi — the reliable choice for urgent restocks and phone/electronics lanes.
DDP door-to-door to Kenya
One all-in price covering pickup in China, freight, customs clearance, duties and final delivery — properly declared, no creative customs.
- Step 1 · Pickup in China
We collect from your supplier, inspect, and consolidate at our Ningbo warehouse.
- Step 2 · Export & freight
Export declaration, loading, and the route you chose — documents shared at every step.
- Step 3 · Customs clearance
Our destination partner clears the shipment and pays duties properly — correct values, real declarations.
- Step 4 · Final delivery
To your door, warehouse, or FBA center — with tracking that works the whole way.
DDP reference: sea ≈ $5–7.5/kg · air ≈ $8–10.5/kg
Customs in Kenya — what to know
EAC common external tariff: duty 0–25% by HS code + VAT 16% (+ 2.5% railway development levy on some goods). Port: Mombasa — also the gateway for Uganda, Rwanda and inland East Africa. We handle IDF and clearing in DDP.
FAQ — China to Kenya
+What taxes apply at Mombasa?
EAC duty of 0–25% by HS code, VAT 16%, an import declaration fee (2–2.5% of CIF), and a railway development levy (2%) on some goods. Our quotes list each line separately — Kenya is exactly where hidden-fee quotes hurt importers most.
+Can you deliver to Uganda or Rwanda through Kenya?
Yes — Mombasa is the inland East Africa gateway. We handle the transit bond and regional clearing under DDP to Kampala, Kigali and Juba.
+How long does Nairobi inland delivery take?
Mombasa to Nairobi is about a day by road or the SGR railway once cleared. Door-to-door DDP from China typically runs 5–7 weeks total by sea.