China is Kenya's biggest source of imported goods, and the question we hear most is simple: what will it cost to get my goods here? The honest answer is that freight is only one line of the total. Your real number is the landed cost — everything you pay before the goods can be sold.
Sea freight costs
Sea freight is charged by the full container (FCL — typically 20ft or 40ft) or by shared space (LCL), priced on volume or weight. FCL is the cheapest per unit if you can fill a container; LCL suits smaller shipments where you pay only for the space you use.
Rates fluctuate with fuel, demand, and season — peak periods before major holidays push prices up, so plan large orders early.
Air freight costs
Air freight is charged on chargeable weight (the greater of actual and volumetric weight). It is far higher per kilogram than sea, but justified for compact, high-value, or urgent goods where speed protects sales.
Duties, taxes and levies
On top of freight, you pay import duty (rate depends on the HS code), VAT, the import declaration fee, and the railway development levy. Some products attract excise duty. These are calculated on the customs value, which includes the cost, insurance, and freight.
The charges importers forget
First-time importers routinely under-budget. Build these in from the start.
- Origin charges, export clearance, and consolidation at the China side.
- Destination port charges, CFS handling, and container deposits.
- KEBS PVoC inspection and certificate fees for regulated goods.
- Demurrage and storage if clearance is slow — avoidable with good document prep.
- Inland transport from Mombasa to Nairobi or upcountry.
How to control your landed cost
Consolidate orders to fill containers, get your HS classification right, prepare documents before sailing, and work with a forwarder who quotes the full landed cost up front — not just the freight leg. That single habit prevents the nasty surprises that erode margins.
Need help with your shipment?
Bluescale Logistics handles freight, customs clearance, and delivery across Kenya and East Africa. Tell us what you're moving and we'll map the smartest route.
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