Are you planning to ship products from China to Kenya? Here is a guide to shipping from China to Kenya that can help you make sending goods to the country easier!
Shipping from China to Kenya has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, many businesses are having second thoughts in shipping to Kenya due to the scarcity of reliable information on the internet. If you are unfamiliar with the process, exporting your products to the country will cost you a lot of money. This is why in this guide, we have compiled the key information you need to know to assist you in finding the cheapest shipping from China to Kenya.
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Ways to Save Time and Money if You Want to Ship From Kenya to China
Know the Restrictions When Importing to Kenya
Before you ship goods to Kenya, familiarize yourself with the shipping restrictions in the country. Below are the prohibited and restricted products in Kenya:
Prohibited Items in Kenya
You can’t import the following products to Kenya:
- Harmful wastes and hazardous materials
- Some specific agricultural and industrial chemicals
- Essential oils and distilled beverages containing harmful chemicals
- Matches containing phosphorus
- Used tires
- Cosmetics containing mercury
- Narcotic drugs
- Counterfeit goods and currency
- Obscene or pornographic materials
- Illegal drugs
- Dangerous hunting weapons
- Knives
- Soil
Restricted Items in Kenya
Below are the items you can ship to Kenya given that you provide the necessary permits:
- Arms, ammunition, and explosives
- Imitation firearms
- Children’s toys
- Plant and plant products
- Meat and meat products
- Animals
- Historical artifacts
- Genetically modified products
- Corals
- Ozone harming substances
- Precious stones and metals
- Shells, horns, ivory, hair, teeth, bones, etc. of specific animals
- Traps for killing or capturing animals
- Postal franking machine
On the other hand, below are the common items imported from China to Kenya:
- Items made of steel and iron
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Furniture and fixtures
- Plastic products
- Motor vehicles and parts
- Electrical equipment
- Mobile phones
Know the Holidays in China
It is important that you know the holidays in China because rates and shipping times during peak seasons are higher and longer. Better ship during the off-peak months.
Know About China to Kenya Shipping Time
Below are the estimated shipping times for your different shipping options:
- Air freight: 4-8 days
- Sea freight: 20-35 days
- Express shipping: 3-5 days
Know the Shipping Cost From China to Kenya
How much does it cost to import goods from China to Kenya? Freight shipping charges from China to Kenya will be calculated based on the following main factors:
For Air Freight:
- The gross weight or volumetric weight of your cargo
- The distance between the source and the destination
- Other transportation fees
For Sea Freight:
- Carrier charges
- Customs clearance fees
- Documentation fees
- Port fees
- Delivery fees, etc.
- Your cargo’s size and weight
- The type of goods you are sending
- Whether you choose FCL or LCL, etc.
Important Documents Required When Shipping from China to Kenya
Below are the documents that the Kenyan customs might require you to submit:
- Import declaration form (IDF)
- Certificate of conformity (COC)
- Insurance Policy
- Import license
- Bill of lading or Airway Bill
- Commercial Invoice
For more information, check out the China Customs and the Kenya Revenue Authority pages.
Partner With Shipping Agents From China to Kenya
There are thousands of shipping agents and freight forwarders out there who can help you make shipping your goods easier. They can also handle the tedious customs clearance process for you. But, make sure to choose an agent that is reliable, competitive, well-reputed, and service-oriented. You can refer to our blogs below:
- Top Freight Forwarders in South Africa
- Top 10 Freight Forwarders in China
Air Shipping From China to Kenya
- Air Shipping to Kenya Cost
Air shipping costs from China to Kenya can be around $3-$6.5 per kg.
- How Long Does It Take For Air Freight Shipping From China To Kenya?
Air shipping time from China to Kenya can take between 4-8 days.
- Recommended Air Shipping Companies in Kenya From China
- HART logistics
- DFH Global Logistics
- Bansar
Check out our list of the best China air freight companies for more reliable air freight forwarders.
- Advantages Of Air Freight From China To Kenya
- Real-time tracking of shipment
- Low risk of damage/loss of goods
- No need for warehousing
- Lower packaging costs
- Less time required
Sea Shipping From China to Kenya
- Sea Freight From China to Kenya Options
You can choose between FCL and LCL sea shipping. Below are the descriptions and advantages of each:
FCL Shipping From China to Kenya
- Fixed rates depending on the size of the container
- It is safer and faster
- It is for large shipments
- The whole container will be yours
LCL Shipping From China to Kenya
- It is for small shipments where your goods will be sent in a shared container
- There is a higher risk of mishandling or damage during shipment
Read more about FCL vs. LCL here.
- Cost of Shipping Container From China to Kenya
The cheapest way to ship from China to Kenya is through container shipping via sea. Below are the estimated rates for FCL and LCL shipping from China to Kenya:
- FCL Shipping: Around $950 for a 20-foot container
- LCL Shipping: $150 – $300 per cubic meter
- Sea Freight Transit Times to Kenya from China
It can take between 20-35 days for shipments to reach Kenya. Below are the estimated transit times from major Chinese ports to the port of Mombasa:
- From Shanghai to Mombasa: 22 days
- From Shenzhen to Mombasa: 20 days
- From Ningbo to Mombasa: 22 days
- From Qingdao to Mombasa: 24 days
- From Tianjin to Mombasa: 28 days
- From Xiamen to Mombasa: 21 days
- Recommended Sea Shipping Companies From China to Kenya
- COSCO
- EMC
- HPL
- CMA
Find more sea shipping companies here: China ocean shipping agencies.
- Why and When to Choose Ocean Shipping
- It offers the cheapest shipping from China to Kenya
- Ideal for bulk shipments at lower rates
Express Shipping From China to Kenya
- Express Shipping Charges From China to Kenya
Below are the estimated rates for FedEx and DHL shipping:
FedEx Express Shipping from China to Kenya
- FedEx Envelope for loads of up to 0.5 kg: $63.95
- FedEx Pak for loads of up to 2 kg: $167
- Rates for non-documents:
- A minimum of 0.5-kg parcel: $89.50
- 20-kg parcels: $898.34
DHL Express Shipping from China to Kenya
- A minimum of 0.5-kg parcel: $93.24
- 1-kg parcel: ~$124
- 2-kg parcel: ~$187
- Rates for non-documents:
- A minimum of 0.5-kg parcel: $140
- 20-kg parcel: ~$1,226
- 40-kg parcel: ~$2,300
- 60-kg parcel: ~$3,450
- Estimated Express Shipping Time
The whole procedure for express shipments can be completed in 3-5 days.
- Recommended Express Shipping Companies
- DHL
- TNT
- UPS
- FedEx
- EMS
Find more courier companies in our list of China courier companies here.
- Why and When to Choose Express Shipping
- It offers the fastest and most convenient method of shipping valuable and perishable goods to Kenya
Ocean and Air Cargo Routes When Shipping From China to Kenya
Below are the main airports and seaports in China and Kenya that handle shipments between the two countries:
Main Airports in China
- Beijing International Airport
- Guangzhou International Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- XI’an Xianyang International Airport
- Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
- Qingdao Liuting International Airport
Major Airports of Kenya
- Moi International Airport
- Eldoret International Airport
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
- Kisumu International Airport
Main Seaports in China
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Xiamen
- Ningbo
- Shanghai
- Qingdao
- Tianjin
Main Seaports in Kenya
- Mombasa
- Malindi (KEMYD)
- Lamu
Check out our list of the best shipping companies from China to Kenya below:
- Shanghai freight forwarders
- Shenzhen freight forwarders
- Ningbo freight forwarders
- Hong Kong freight forwarders
- Shipping companies in Beijing
- Qingdao freight forwarders
- Guangzhou freight forwarders
Conclusion
This guide on shipping from China to Kenya should have provided you with all of the information you need. If you have any issues with shipping things from China to Amazon FBA, please contact us. You can also read our other blogs about shipping from China to other African countries by clicking the links below:
- Shipping From China to Africa
- Shipping From China to Ghana