China is one of Kenya’s largest sources of imported goods, and the China–Africa corridor is one of the busiest trade lanes in the world. This guide explains how to ship from China to Kenya and East Africa: transport options, transit times, import duties and documents, how goods move from Mombasa to Nairobi, and how to avoid the most common delays.
Quick answer: Most goods from China to Kenya travel by sea to the Port of Mombasa, which takes about 22–35 days for a full container (FCL) depending on the Chinese port, and longer for shared containers (LCL). Air freight to Nairobi takes days instead of weeks. On arrival, goods need a KRA import declaration, a KEBS Certificate of Conformity for regulated products, and payment of import duty, a 2.5% IDF, a 2% RDL and 16% VAT.
Shipping options from China to Kenya
| Mode | Typical transit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight, full container (FCL) | About 22–35 days port to port | Large shipments, lowest cost per unit |
| Sea freight, shared container (LCL) | Longer than FCL, as cargo is consolidated and deconsolidated | Smaller shipments that don’t fill a container |
| Air freight | A few days airport to airport | Launch stock, urgent restocks, high-value goods |
| Express courier | A few days door to door | Samples and small, urgent parcels |
Transit varies by origin port: southern Chinese ports such as Guangzhou (Nansha) and Shenzhen often have faster services to East Africa than northern ports such as Qingdao. Add time for factory pickup, export clearance in China and clearance in Kenya.
How a shipment moves, step by step
- Agree terms with your supplier. Choose Incoterms such as FOB or FCA so you control the freight, or confirm what your supplier will handle.
- Get the Certificate of Conformity. For products regulated by KEBS, arrange inspection and the CoC in China before the goods are loaded.
- Book and consolidate. Book FCL, or consolidate orders from several suppliers into one LCL or FCL shipment to save cost.
- Export from China. The goods clear Chinese export customs and are loaded at the origin port or airport.
- Arrive in Mombasa or Nairobi. A licensed customs agent lodges the import declaration with the KRA, and duties and taxes are paid.
- Move inland. Containers can travel from Mombasa to the Nairobi Inland Container Depot by the Standard Gauge Railway or by road.
- Store and fulfil. Goods are received into a warehouse in Nairobi or Mombasa and shipped to customers or retailers.
Import duties and taxes in Kenya
Kenya applies the East African Community (EAC) Common External Tariff, and the customs clearance is handled by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The main charges on imported goods are:
| Charge | Rate | Applied to |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EAC Common External Tariff) | 0%, 10%, 25% or 35% depending on the product | Customs value |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) | 2.5% | Customs value |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) | 2% (since December 2024) | Customs value |
| Excise duty | Varies, only for certain goods | Customs value plus duty |
| VAT | 16% | Value including duties and levies |
The duty rate depends on the product’s HS code, so correct classification matters. Rates and levies change with Kenya’s annual Finance Acts, so confirm current rates with your customs agent before you price.
Example: goods with a customs value of $10,000 in the 25% duty band would typically pay $2,500 import duty, $250 IDF and $200 RDL, then 16% VAT on the total of $12,950, or about $2,072. That is roughly $5,000 in duties and taxes before clearing and delivery costs.
Documents you need
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for products regulated under the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) pre-export verification of conformity programme, issued before shipment
- Import declaration lodged through the KRA customs system by a licensed customs agent
- Permits for specific goods, such as food, medicines, cosmetics or electronics, where required
Onward to Uganda, Rwanda and East Africa
Mombasa is the gateway for much of East Africa. The Northern Corridor links it by road and rail to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern DR Congo, and Kenya’s membership of the East African Community makes Kenyan stock a practical base for regional distribution.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- No CoC before shipping: regulated goods arriving without a KEBS Certificate of Conformity face delays, inspections and penalties.
- Wrong HS code or undervalued invoices: lead to reassessment, fines and holds at the port.
- Underestimating total landed cost: duty, IDF, RDL, VAT, port charges and inland transport add up; budget for all of them.
- Ignoring transit variability: plan stock with a buffer for port congestion and peak seasons.
Related: China–Africa freight and logistics · Fulfilment in Kenya · Shipping from Europe to Kenya · Online marketplaces in Africa
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Kenya take?
By sea, typically about 22–35 days from Chinese ports to Mombasa for a full container, and longer for shared (LCL) shipments. Air freight takes a few days.
What import taxes do I pay in Kenya?
Import duty under the EAC Common External Tariff (0%, 10%, 25% or 35% depending on the product), a 2.5% Import Declaration Fee, a 2% Railway Development Levy, excise duty on some goods and 16% VAT.
Do I need a Certificate of Conformity to import into Kenya?
Yes, for products regulated under the KEBS pre-export verification of conformity programme. It must be obtained before the goods are shipped.
Should I ship to Mombasa or Nairobi?
Sea freight arrives in Mombasa and can be cleared there or moved to the Nairobi Inland Container Depot. Air freight usually arrives at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Can I ship from China to Uganda or Rwanda through Kenya?
Yes. Mombasa and the Northern Corridor are a main route to Uganda, Rwanda and neighbouring countries, and Kenyan stock can serve the wider East African region.
Sources
Figures are taken from the sources below and were checked in September 2026. Market estimates from research firms are labelled as estimates in the text.
- Kenya import duty guide 2026 (FNJ Associates) – IDF, RDL and duty bands
- Railway Development Levy 2026 guide (Pamoja Imports) – RDL increase to 2%
- Kenya import regulations: PVoC, IDF and KRA (Pamoja Imports)
- Shipping from China to Kenya (Sino Shipping) – transit times
- Guangzhou to Mombasa routes (Fluent Cargo)
