Sea DDP w/Tax
🚢 Sea Freight → Nairobi| Bracket | Rate (USD/KG) |
|---|---|
| 1CBM+ CBM | USD 86.11 |
Africa
🚢 Sea Freight
China to Kenya Sea Freight Cost
Current published rates, transit times and the weight brackets where the price changes.
Sea Freight from China to Kenya starts at USD 72.9 per kilogram, with door-to-door transit of 25–45 calendar days. A 100 kg shipment comes to roughly USD 7,292 including duty, clearance by the national customs service, and final delivery.
- Rate from
- USD 72.9/kg
- Transit time
- 25–45 calendar days
- Gateway
- the main commercial seaport
- Customs authority
- the national customs service
Rates last updated 2026-08-14. Figures are published channel prices for planning; the final quote depends on chargeable weight, cargo class and HS code.
Current Rates — China to Kenya
🟢 Updated 2026-08-14| Service | Mode | Rate (USD/KG) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value Sea · Duty-Paid (tax included) | 🚢 Sea Freight | USD 72.9 | View Details → |
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Full Weight-Tier Rate Cards
Detailed per-weight pricing for every active route from China to Kenya. Each tier reflects the published rate at that exact weight — useful for accurate budgeting at common shipment sizes.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Kenya is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Price Trend — Kenya Sea Freight
Historical freight rates from China to Kenya. Data sourced from live carrier price feeds.
China to Kenya — Shipping Reference Data
Key China-to-Kenya import facts buyers should plan around:
| Main sea gateways | the main commercial seaport |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | the national customs service |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No practical de-minimis on most routes |
| Import tax & duty regime | Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common |
| Local currency | USD (freight priced in USD) |
| Typical port/airport dwell time | 7–21 days (congestion common) |
| Peak / busy season | Oct–Dec |
| Conformity & certification | Pre-shipment conformity certificate often mandatory |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Commercial Freight — Mid Volume
At 100 KG, you're in the commercial freight category — large enough for competitive rates but still within the range where air freight often beats sea freight on cost per delivery cycle. This weight is common for electronics, clothing, and general merchandise restocking shipments going to Kenya.
- Air freight channels offer volume discounts from 100 KG
- Sea freight LCL (shared container) becomes viable above 150 KG
- Most channels require volumetric weight check (L×W×H÷6000)
- Rail freight viable for European destinations at this weight
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for Sea Freight
This page covers Sea Freight from China to Kenya. Plan your cargo with the matching tool before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Squeeze more out of every CBM to Kenya: load your carton list in 3D, verify space and payload utilization, and export the loading plan.
Open Container Planner →Which Shipping Method is Best?
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Transit Times — China to Kenya
| Method | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freight DDP | 5–10 business days | From China warehouse to Kenya door |
| Sea Freight LCL | 30–50 calendar days | Shared container to Kenya port + delivery |
| Express Courier | 3–7 business days | DHL/FedEx/UPS door-to-door, high cost for this weight |
What Affects the Shipping Cost to Kenya?
- Actual vs. volumetric weight — carriers charge whichever is higher (L×W×H÷6000 for air)
- Cargo type surcharge — batteries, liquids, and branded goods carry additional fees
- Peak season surcharges — Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (Oct) add 15–30%
- Destination area — Kenya may have remote area surcharges for certain postal codes
- Declared value — customs duties are calculated on CIF value
- Port congestion surcharges apply to certain African ports seasonally
- Currency exchange — most African routes price in USD, paid before departure
- Bunker adjustment factor (BAF) — fuel surcharges added quarterly
- Port terminal handling charges (THC) — charged at origin and destination
Customs & Documentation for Kenya
- De minimis threshold — shipments below local tax threshold may clear duty-free
- Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate HS codes
- DDP service includes all import duties — you pay one total price with no surprises
- Battery and liquid goods require additional certification documents
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship from China to Kenya?
Current rates for shipping from China to Kenya start at USD 72.92/KG via Sea DDP w/Tax. For 100 KG, the estimated total is approximately USD 7,292, duty included. Final landed cost depends on the Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common applied by the national customs service.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Kenya?
Imports into Kenya are assessed by the national customs service. The applicable regime is: Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common. The duty-free / de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis on most routes. Under our DDP service these charges are pre-paid and included in the per-KG price, so there is nothing to settle on arrival.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Kenya?
the national customs service typically requires: (1) commercial invoice with HS codes and declared value; (2) packing list with weights and dimensions; (3) bill of lading or air waybill; (4) certificate of origin (may lower duty); and (5) any product-specific certification (Pre-shipment conformity certificate often mandatory). Under DDP we prepare and file these for you.
When is the busy season for shipping to Kenya?
Capacity to Kenya tightens around Oct–Dec, on top of the China-side surcharge windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Booking 1–2 weeks earlier during these windows protects both space and rate.
Is air or sea freight better for 100 KG to Kenya?
For 100 KG to Kenya, air is usually better on total landed cost despite a higher per-KG rate, because the 30–45 day ocean transit (plus 7–21 days (congestion common) dwell) raises inventory cost. Air also unlocks volume discounts above 100 KG.
Can I ship batteries via Sea Freight to Kenya?
Battery goods by Sea Freight to Kenya follow sea dangerous-goods rules — UN3481 (in equipment) and UN3480 (packed with equipment) need an MSDS. We prepare the DG paperwork as part of the DDP service into the main commercial seaport.
What is DDP shipping to Kenya and what does it include?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to Kenya means one all-inclusive price covering freight, the duty/tax due to the national customs service, and last-mile delivery to your door. The No practical de-minimis on most routes de-minimis position is handled for you, and there are no surprise charges at destination.
How is chargeable weight calculated for Kenya shipments?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000 for air) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram. For 100 KG this matters most when cargo is light but bulky — consolidating cartons can drop you into a cheaper bracket.
Shipping to Kenya by industry
Rates above are lane rates and apply to general cargo. Packing specification, HS classification and the clearance step that matters are all commodity-specific — these guides cover them industry by industry.
- Base Station Equipment Telecom, Computing & Data Centre
- Electronic Accessories Consumer Electronics & Smart Devices
- Hotel Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Bags Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Medical Consumables Medical, Laboratory & Precision Instruments
- Exhibition Display Equipment Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Educational Toys Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Stationery Consumer Goods & Gifts
- E-commerce E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Aluminum Coils Steel & Metal Materials
- Pipe Fittings Metal Products & Industrial Components
Customs clearance in Kenya
Duty and tax position, certification, typical port dwell and what actually holds shipments at this border — plus who files the entry.
Kenya clearance requirements →