Sea container, air cargo shipping from China to Kenya|UCS

Kenya, a country in East Africa is known for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves, bordered by Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania. 

As Africa’s biggest investor, China has been responsible for major infrastructure projects in Kenya, including the recently opened Nairobi Expressway and the controversial and expensive Chinese-built Standard Gauge Railway, which links the capital with the key port city of Mombasa. (July 2022)
Kenya has been a net importer from China, in 2020 China exported $4.86 B to Kenya.

Explore a complete guide to shipping from China to Kenya, including shipping method, timing, costs, best way to ship, and what to expect from a professional freight forwarder for your cargo from China to Kenya.

Sea and air freight are the most commonly used modes of transportations to ship goods from China to Kenya. There are quite a lot of freight forwarders that offer container shipping and air cargo transport services, but we can do more. It’s vital to work with a one who understands your needs and always carries out the best tailored shipping solution from China to Kenya.

Sea Freight from China to Kenya

Sea freight is what you should opt for if you are looking for a cost-efficient way to ship your goods from China to Kenya. Sea freight is the mode of transport in which goods are shipped by sea, mostly with container ships, sometimes with bulk cargo ships or RO-RO ships, tankers, etc. Shipping by sea is slow, and we’ll have to allow for 20-30 days for a container from China to arrive in Kenya. However the advantages are significant, besides its affordable price, sea freight is superior to other forms of shipping especially for goods in bulk or equipment of large size, over long distance.

FCL (Full container load): shipping a container filled with goods exclusively for one client from China to Kenya. Generally, we offer FCL shipping service to Kenya with 20ft container and 40ft container (20GP, 40GP and 40HQ). FCL is more cost efficient.
LCL (Less than container load): If your cargo can’t fill an entire container, our consolidation (LCL shipping) service from China to Kenya is always available, i.e. sharing a container with other clients who have cargo to the same destination, at the same time. Naturally, due to extra work (consolidation, de-consolidation, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), the final cost on each unit is higher than FCL, and shipping takes longer. LCL is a good choice for small business to start with.

FCL and LCL shipments are common, if you are shipping heavy, large (OOG) cargo from China to Kenya, we’d recommend flat rack or open top container solution. Other solutions we have
Reefer containers: for cold-chain transportation
Breakbulk: for large and bulk shipment
RO-RO: for vehicles and wheeled cargo

Our sea freight forwarding services from China to Kenya covers all the major Chinese ports: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, etc.
We offer port to port, door to port and door to door shipping services from China to Kenya, depending on your specific requirements. Considering your final destination, we’ll choose the most convenient port in Kenya, such as Mombasa, Nairobi (dry port, inland container depot), etc.

Major ports in Kenya

Mombasa
Mombasa is a port city with a centuries-old history.
Situated on the African Coast, Mombasa Port is not only the premier port of Kenya but the largest and also the busiest port of the eastern African region. The annual handling capacity of the port is 2.65 million TEU’s.
Kilindini Harbour is the main part of the Port of Mombasa, the only international seaport in Kenya and the biggest port in east Africa.
Port of Mombasa is not only the gateway for marine traffic into the country, but also serves the neighboring countries Uganda, South Sudan, etc. 

Nairobi
Inland Container Depot Nairobi, owned and operated by Kenya Ports Authority and linked by Rail with Mombasa port provides shippers with dry port facilities in the commercial heart of the country and it was established in 1984.
The main objective of the ICDN is to bring port services closer to customers in the hinterland through rail service or truck transport.

Looking to ship containers or other sea shipments from China to Kenya? We got the one-stop comprehensive sea freight solution for you.
Contact us, and get a shipping cost from China to Kenya by sea.

Air Freight from China to Kenya

Air freight provides a quick solution to shipping your goods from China to Kenya when time is of essence. Maybe you are running out of time for a project’s deadline, maybe the cargo to be shipped is perishable, can’t withstand the one-month transit time across the ocean from China to reach Kenya. Air cargo shipping is the perfect solution when all other modes of transportation can’t meet your timing requirement. Sometimes people prefer air shipping for high-value products, because it ensures higher level of safety compared to sea shipping. 

We have developed strong relationships with major air carriers and established a vast network of air cargo transportation, offering daily and weekly cargo flights from China’s main airports to Kenya. 
When shipping by air with us, we provide the best shipping solution and the fastest route which meets your needs and guarantees a relatively cost-efficient way. Our air shipping options include airport-to-airport, door-to-airport and door-to-door services from China to Kenya.

Due to some limitations and restrictions, not everything can be air shipped, and some products may not be worth air shipping. 
Consult our team for advice before you proceed. Get an air freight solution and shipping quote for your China-Kenya air shipment. 

Major Cargo Airports in Kenya

Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (IATA: NBO), is an international airport in Nairobi, the capital of and largest city in Kenya.
Nairobi International Airport is Kenya’s largest aviation facility, the busiest airport in East Africa, premier hub and ideal gateway into and out of East Africa. Its importance as an aviation center makes it the pace setter for other airports in the region.

Mombasa
Moi International Airport (IATA: MBA) is an international airport in Mombasa, the second-largest city in Kenya.
The airport is 12km from the railway station. Terminals I and II have 10 aircraft stands. Terminal III (General Aviation) has 22 stands.

How long does it take to ship from China to Kenya?

Shipping from China to Kenya takes 20-30 days by sea, and 3-7 days by air. Actual transit time may vary depending on the service and route chosen, weather, terminal congestion, etc. 

China-Kenya sea freight transit time

The transit time of shipping a container from China to Kenya port to port ranges from 20 to 30 days. 

POL(port of loading)	POD(port of discharge)	Transit time
Shanghai	Mombasa	25 days
Ningbo	Mombasa	23 days
Shenzhen	Mombasa	20 days
Qingdao	Mombasa	30 days

Container shipping transit time by sea from Shanghai/Ningbo/Shenzhen/Qingdao to Mombasa
FYI: The transit time by sea, port to port, depends on the specific origin and destination ports chosen, service route, sailing schedule and choice on carrier.
Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China, data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to Kenya.
Above transit time is for full container load shipping, port to port only, for LCL shipping time estimate, pls add 7-10 days.

China-Kenya air shipping transit time

Generally an air shipment from China to Kenya takes 3-7 days. Between Chinese cities and Kenya cities, there are no direct flight services. 
If you have an urgent order and need the FASTEST shipping possible from China to Kenya, remember to contact us and get the best service route and fastest speed with the least lead time. Get an air shipping quote for your China-Kenya shipment.

How much does shipping from China to Kenya cost?

Shipping a 40ft container from China to Kenya used to cost $1000-2000, shipping rates went up way after the pandemic. Similar case with air freight

Knowing the shipping cost is essential to business if you are importing goods from China to Kenya. Shipping cost is an indispensable, and sometimes could be a large part of the final landed cost of imported goods. 

However, it’s impossible to provide a general estimate of shipping cost from China to Kenya.
First of all, each shipment is different, and clients may have various requirements under some specific circumstances. Secondly, the shipping market is fast changing, sea and air freight rates fluctuate frequently, affected by seasonal and strategic adjustment by carriers, as well as by the relationship between supply and demand. The year-on-year difference could be drastic, and price for last week may not be valid for this week. Besides, client’s timing requirement also influences the shipping cost. General rule of thumb, the quicker you wish to receive the shipment, the more you’ll have to pay for shipping. 

CONTACT US now to obtain a tailored shipping solution and the latest shipping cost from China to Kenya.

Freight forwarder shipping from China to Kenya

Dealing with shipment from China to Kenya yourself is a tough job, and requires certain expertise, so why not turn to a professional freight forwarder?

Everybody’s got his specialty and expertise. Using an experienced freight forwarder to handle your shipments from China to Kenya allows you focus more on your main business, to bring the best out of you. With the help of a professional freight forwarding team, your shipment will be well planned and carried out smoothly, avoiding delay and potential extra charges, and freight management made easier than ever.

As one of the top China based freight forwarders serving Kenya, we have the knowledge, expertise and experience to provide the most accurate answers and optimal shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Leave it to the expert, and you are freed from all the troubles and complexity of shipping and logistics. 
The experienced freight forwarder always gives you the best shipping solution and cost from China to Kenya tailored to your needs.

Door to door shipping from China to Kenya

With sea and air carriers, their reach is limited, mostly their services end at seaport and airport. Through our freight forwarder service, the reach is extended, and door to door shipping is made possible.

We have representatives in Kenya and have been working with other local Kenyan freight forwarders as well. By combining our freight forwarding services with their networks, we present clients the easiest one-stop door to door shipping solution from China to Kenya.
Whether by sea or by air, door to door shipping from China to Kenya is easy with us.

Best way to ship from China to Kenya

China is home to many worldwide suppliers, yet shipping from China to Kenya isn’t always straightforward.
Everybody wants a fast and safe delivery of shipment at the minimum cost possible. Different shipments, circumstances with various requirements, plus the ever changing shipping market, there’s no simple solution. An experienced freight forwarder shall analyze all the factors and provide the best shipping solution under give circumstance, and meet your needs. 
1.    The type of goods and its value
2.    How quickly you need your goods
3.    The load of your goods (size, weight, quantity) or simply share the packing list
4.    Supplier address (origin seaport/airport), delivery address(destination seaport/airport)
5.    Your budget
6.    Goods ready time
Get in touch with us and start a hassle-free shipping experience, the best way to ship from China to Kenya.
Request a freight solution and quote from us.

How to ship from China to Kenya    

Step 1: Contact a freight forwarder; a China based one is better.
You may find a freight forwarder either from China or in Kenya. While a Kenyan forwarder is most likely to rely on a Chinese local shipping agent. A China based forwarder is recommended, as the majority of complexities and uncertainties of international cargo shipping lie in origin, not in destination.
More on “Why you should work with a local China freight forwarder”
Step 2: Submit shipment details and get a shipping quote from China
Step 3: Connect freight forwarder with supplier, the forwarder will work on the shipment and keep you updated
Step 4: Get cargo insurance (optional)
Step 5: Arrange customs clearance
The easiest way is available with us, one-stop door to door shipping service from China to Kenya whether by sea or air.

Why us when importing and shipping from China to Kenya

We are China based freight forwarder specialized and experienced in international logistics for China-Kenya import & export business. Through years of effort on China-Africa trade lane, we have developed service agreements with the best sea and air shipping carriers. This allows us to offer various shipping solutions, routes and schedules from China to Kenya at fair rates with space guarantee especially in peak seasons. 
1.    Quick Response, high efficiency
2.    Communication
3.    Professionalism, agility, accuracy
4.    Our logistics expertise, local and global connections
5.    Cost-saving
6.    Dedicated, focused
7.    Higher attention & tailored shipping solution
More on Why us when importing and shipping from China to Kenya

As one of the leading China based freight forwarders serving Kenya, we have the logistics expertise, local knowledge and global network to fulfill a fast and safe delivery of shipment from China to Kenya. Whatever you are shipping, standard sea container, air cargo, refrigerated or oversized cargo, we got your covered. 

If you are interested in shipping from China to Kenya (Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, etc.) whether by sea or air, reach out to the best freight forwarder to ensure the best-in-class shipping experience. 
Contact us, get a shipping solution and quote for your China-Kenya shipment.