Ship from China to Kenya: All-In Rates, Process and 2026 Guide
To ship from China to Kenya, you need a freight operator with staff and logistics partners on both sides of the route who can coordinate with your supplier in China, manage customs clearance, and get your goods to Kenya at a transparent all-in price. Sea freight runs 30 to 35 days at 65,000 ksh/CBM. Air freight runs 7 to 14 days at 1,700 ksh/kg. Both rates cover freight from our China warehouse, import duty, VAT, IDF, RDL, customs clearance, and delivery to our warehouse in Nairobi or Mombasa.
Most guides on shipping from China to Kenya are written by Chinese freight forwarders quoting USD rates that exclude customs clearance. By the time your goods arrive at Mombasa Port, you are dealing with a separate clearing agent invoice, unexpected port surcharges, and inland transport you did not budget for. The total cost ends up 30 to 50% higher than what you were quoted.
This guide explains how shipping from China to Kenya works through Pamoja Imports: what the all-in rate covers, how we coordinate with your supplier, and what happens at every step.
What the All-In Rate Covers
The phrase “all-in” is used loosely in the freight industry. Some operators quote “all-in air freight” that excludes import duty. Others quote “door-to-door” that stops at Mombasa Port. When you ask for clarification, the extras appear one by one.
When Pamoja Imports quotes an all-in rate, it covers every cost from the point your goods enter our China warehouse to delivery at our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse. The cost of getting goods from your supplier to our China warehouse is separate and settled directly with the supplier.
| Cost component | Included in Pamoja rate? |
|---|---|
| China-side coordination with your supplier | Yes |
| Freight from our China warehouse to Kenya | Yes |
| Supplier to our China warehouse (paid to supplier) | Not included, client pays supplier directly |
| Import duty (0% to 35% depending on product) | Yes |
| VAT at 16% | Yes |
| Import Declaration Fee (IDF) at 2.5% | Yes |
| Railway Development Levy (RDL) at 2% | Yes |
| Kenya customs clearance | Yes |
| Delivery to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse | Yes |
| Last-mile delivery to your address | Separate, agreed with driver by location |
Sea Freight vs Air Freight: Rates and Transit Times
The choice between sea and air freight from China to Kenya comes down to the weight, size, and urgency of your shipment. Here are the current 2026 rates.
| Mode | Rate (all-in) | Transit time | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight | 65,000 ksh/CBM | 30 to 35 days | 0.1 CBM |
| Air freight (standard) | 1,700 ksh/kg | 7 to 14 days | 1 kg |
| Air freight (phones) | 3,500 ksh/kg | 7 to 14 days | 1 kg |
The right mode depends on both the weight and the volume of your shipment. A shipment that is light but bulky may be more expensive by air than it looks on paper, because air freight charges are calculated on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight. Equally, a dense, heavy shipment that fits into a small volume may work out cheaper by air than sea. We will always recommend the most cost-effective option for your specific order once we have your supplier’s details and carton dimensions.
Phones are rated separately because they carry higher duty and excise charges and require additional compliance documentation. If you are importing smartphones, see our dedicated guide on importing phones from China to Kenya for the full cost breakdown.
How Shipping from China to Kenya Works with Pamoja
Most importers dealing with a Chinese freight forwarder for the first time find themselves juggling multiple parties: a China-side forwarder, a Kenya-side clearing agent, and an inland trucking company, each issuing separate invoices. With Pamoja Imports, you deal with one contact throughout. Here is what the process looks like from the moment you reach out.
One part of this that makes a real difference is having a Mandarin-speaking team on the ground in China. Most problems with a shipment do not start at Mombasa Port. They start at the supplier: wrong labeling, incorrect carton dimensions on the packing list, goods sent to the wrong warehouse address, packaging that does not meet freight standards.
When you are communicating with a Chinese supplier through Google Translate or a third-party intermediary, these issues are slow to catch and slower to fix. Our team in Chengdu contacts your supplier directly in Mandarin, gives them clear written instructions, and follows up to confirm the goods were sent correctly before they leave China. By the time your shipment reaches our warehouse, the documentation is in order and there are no surprises waiting at the Kenya end.
Share your supplier’s contact details
All we need is your supplier’s WhatsApp number or WeChat ID, a brief description of what you have ordered, and your preferred shipping mode. You do not need to prepare commercial invoices, packing lists, or any shipping documentation. We coordinate all of that directly with your supplier.
One message to get startedWe contact your supplier and give shipping instructions
Our team reaches out to your supplier directly and gives them precise instructions on how to send the goods to our warehouse in China, including packaging requirements, labeling, and how to address the shipment. The cost of getting goods from the supplier to our China warehouse is settled between you and your supplier directly and is not part of our all-in rate.
Supplier sends goods to our China warehouse on your behalfGoods arrive at our China warehouse
Once your goods reach our China warehouse, our operations team checks them in and confirms the shipment is ready. From here, our logistics partners handle freight booking, export procedures in China, and the full transit to Kenya by sea or air.
Sea: 30 to 35 days | Air: 7 to 14 days from warehouse dispatchKenya customs clearance
When your goods arrive at Mombasa Port or JKIA, our logistics partners handle all customs clearance end to end. This includes HS code classification, duty and tax payment, KRA submission, and cargo release. You do not need to hire a separate clearing agent or deal with port officials. Clearance is included in your all-in rate.
No separate clearing agent invoiceDelivery to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse
Once cleared, your goods are transported to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse depending on your preference. You are notified when they arrive. From there, last-mile delivery to your address is arranged via our driver, with the fee agreed based on your location. If you are outside Nairobi, reach out and we will discuss options.
Last-mile delivery arranged separately with driverCoordination fee
A coordination fee applies for managing communication with your supplier and handling the China-side logistics. The fee is 7.5% of your freight cost, with a minimum of 2,500 ksh. For shipments where the freight cost exceeds 80,000 ksh, the rate reduces to 5%. The coordination fee is paid upfront before we handle your order. The shipping fee itself is paid on delivery to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse.
The Hidden Costs Most Importers Do Not Expect
If you ship through a standard Chinese freight forwarder rather than an all-in operator, several costs almost never appear in the initial quote. Knowing them in advance protects your margin.
To put that in perspective: a Kenyan importer using a standard Chinese freight forwarder on a 1 CBM sea shipment could reasonably face 65,000 ksh in freight plus a further 50,000 to 100,000 ksh in clearing fees, port charges, and inland transport before their goods reach Nairobi. The same shipment through Pamoja Imports costs 65,000 ksh total. The difference is not a small saving. It is the difference between a profitable import and one that wipes your margin before you have sold a single unit.
For a full comparison of what to look for and what to avoid when evaluating freight operators, see our guide on how to find the best shipping agent from China to Kenya.
How to Calculate Your Shipping Cost
Before placing an order, knowing your shipping cost upfront protects your margin and prevents surprises. Two numbers determine your freight cost: weight in kg and volume in CBM.
For air freight, charges are based on whichever is greater between actual weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as: length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm) divided by 6,000. So a carton measuring 50 x 40 x 30 cm has a volumetric weight of 10 kg. If the actual weight is 6 kg, you are charged on 10 kg at 1,700 ksh, which comes to 17,000 ksh for that carton.
For sea freight, you are charged on CBM. The same carton above is 0.06 CBM (0.5 x 0.4 x 0.3). Since the minimum sea freight charge is 0.1 CBM, this carton would be billed at the minimum: 0.1 CBM x 65,000 ksh = 6,500 ksh.
Use the Pamoja Imports shipping calculator to get an instant estimate for your shipment. For a full landed cost including product cost, duty, VAT, and profit margin, use the profit calculator.
How to Start Shipping from China to Kenya
Pamoja Imports handles two types of orders: sourcing and shipping combined, or shipping only for clients who already have a supplier. Here is how to get started with each.
If you already have a supplier and need the freight leg handled, WhatsApp us and let us know you have a supplier. Share your supplier’s contact details and order information and we will confirm your all-in cost within one business day. If you do not have a supplier yet, submit a sourcing request and we will find and vet one for you before handling the shipping.
There is no commitment required at that stage. You receive the quote, review it, and decide whether to proceed.
Pamoja Imports: One Rate, One Team, China to Kenya
We coordinate with your supplier in China, handle freight and customs clearance through our logistics partners, and deliver to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse at a single transparent all-in rate. You deal with one contact throughout. No surprise port bills. No separate clearing agent.
- Sea freight: 65,000 ksh/CBM all-in
- Air freight: 1,700 ksh/kg all-in
- Transit: 7 to 14 days air, 30 to 35 days sea
- Includes duty, VAT, IDF, RDL, clearance, and delivery to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse
- Shipping-only service available for importers with established suppliers
Frequently Asked Questions
For more questions about importing from China to Kenya, see our full China to Kenya import FAQ.
Sea freight from China to Kenya costs 65,000 ksh per CBM and air freight costs 1,700 ksh per kg for standard goods, or 3,500 ksh per kg for phones. These rates include import duty, VAT at 16%, IDF at 2.5%, RDL at 2%, and customs clearance, to our warehouse in Nairobi or Mombasa. Last-mile delivery to your address is arranged separately with our driver.
Air freight from China to Kenya takes 7 to 14 days. Sea freight takes 30 to 35 days. Transit time runs from when your goods are dispatched from our China warehouse.
Yes. If you have already found your supplier, share their WhatsApp number or WeChat ID and we will coordinate directly with them. We give the supplier instructions on how to send the goods to our warehouse in China. A coordination fee applies: 7.5% of your freight cost with a minimum of 2,500 ksh, reduced to 5% for shipments where the freight cost exceeds 80,000 ksh.
No. You only need to share your supplier’s WhatsApp number or WeChat ID. We coordinate directly with the supplier and handle all the documentation needed to move your goods from China to Kenya.
Our shipping rate covers delivery to our Nairobi warehouse or Mombasa warehouse. From there, last-mile delivery to your address is arranged via our driver and the fee is agreed based on your location. If you are outside Nairobi, reach out and we will discuss options.
The minimum sea freight shipment is 0.1 CBM. For air freight the minimum is 1 kg. The most cost-effective mode depends on both the weight and the physical size of your packages, not weight alone. We will recommend the right option once we have your shipment details.
Ready to Ship from China to Kenya?
Submit your supplier details and we will confirm your all-in shipping cost within one business day.
WhatsApp Us to Get Started
Jonatan Sirak sirak.se
Founder of Pamoja Imports, a Kenya-China import consultancy with an operations team based in Chengdu, China. With several years of hands-on experience facilitating shipments across electronics, solar equipment, construction materials, and consumer goods, he helps Kenyan entrepreneurs source and import products profitably. He splits his time between Nairobi and Chengdu.
