Shipping costs for 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Kenya

In recent years, trade cooperation between China and Kenya has continued to expand, and China has become one of Kenya’s most important trading partners.

As an economic leader in East Africa, Kenya has been actively seeking to establish close economic ties with global partners.  China, Africa‘s largest investor, has been responsible for major infrastructure projects in Kenya, including the recently opened Nairobi highway and the controversial and expensive Chinese standard gauge railway linking the capital to the main port city of Mombasa.

Shipping from China to Kenya has become an indispensable link in the trade chain, and price is the issue that everyone is most concerned about. This article discusses the freight price from China to Kenya to help you understand and choose the appropriate transportation plan, improve transportation efficiency, and promote smooth trade cooperation.

Shipping from China to Kenya

Sea freight and air freight are the most common modes of transportation for shipping goods from China to Kenya. There are quite a few freight forwarders offering container shipping and air freight services, but we can do more. It is crucial to work with someone who understands your needs and always provides the best customized shipping solutions from China to Kenya.

Sea Freight from China to Kenya

China-Kenya maritime trade cooperation continues to develop and has become one of the main modes of transportation from China to Kenya. In ocean shipping, two common terms are FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load), which apply to different sizes and types of cargo.

FCL (Full Container Load) refers to transporting a full container of goods. This method is suitable for large quantities of goods that need to be transported in full containers. The shipper is responsible for loading and unloading the goods, ensuring that the goods are not mixed with other goods during transportation to ensure their safety and integrity.

LCL (less than container load) refers to assembling multiple batches of goods into one container for transportation. This method is suitable for situations where a small amount of goods only fills part of the container. A freight forwarder or logistics company is responsible for loading and unloading the cargo, which shares container space with other cargo during transportation.

Air Freight from China to Kenya

When time is of the essence, air freight provides a quick solution to get your goods from China to Kenya. Maybe your project deadline is running out, or maybe the goods you’re transporting are perishable and can’t withstand the month-long transit time across the ocean from China to Kenya. Air freight is the perfect solution when all other modes of transportation fail to meet your time requirements. Sometimes, people prefer to ship high-value products by air as it ensures a higher level of security compared to sea shipping.

Air freight prices are usually calculated based on the billable weight of the shipment, which is the higher of actual weight or dimensional weight.

Junqing Logistics’ air freight prices are competitive and are calculated based on the billing weight of the goods, taking into account factors such as routes, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery

Shipping Costs from China to Kenya [Updated 2025]

The final cost of shipping from China to Kenya depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:

• Nature of your shipment
• Your preferred shipping method (FCL, LCL, air freight)
• The weight and dimensions of your shipment
• Origin and destination
• Service type (e.g. port-to-port, door-to-door)

For goods weighing less than 200 kilograms, the cost difference between air freight and LCL sea freight is not large. Beyond 200 kilograms, the cost difference begins to widen. Although much slower, sea freight can quickly become much more economical than air freight when there is greater weight and size involved.

Shipping costs for 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Kenya

How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Kenya? , the average price of shipping a container from China to Kenya is US$2,250 to US$5,550.

The cost of shipping a full container from China to Kenya depends on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft)nd the schedule route, please Contact Junqing Quote team for detailed rates for shipping containers from China to major container ports in Kenya.

• How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Kenya? The average price to ship a 20-foot container from China to Kenya is $2250 to $4250. Shipping schedules for shipping 20-foot containers from China to Kenya vary by route.
• How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Kenya? The average price to ship a 40-foot container from China to Kenya is $2850 to $5550. Shipping schedules for shipping 40-foot containers from China to Kenya vary by route.

Container shipping rates from China to Kenya

These are the average prices to ship a container from China to Kenya with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Kenya for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to Kenya.

LCL shipping cost from China to Kenya

What is the cheapest way to ship from China to Kenya?

The cheapest shipping method from China to Kenya is usually by sea. Sea freight generally has lower shipping costs compared to air freight and land freight. The bulk transportation capacity is large, which reduces the transportation cost of unit goods. Additionally, ocean shipping has lower fuel costs and other shipping surcharges.

Although ocean freight has a longer transit time, it can be economical if your shipment is not time-critical and can be planned in advance. Sea transportation is suitable for large goods, bulk goods or goods that need to be transported over long distances.

Door-to-door shipping from China to Kenya

Door-to-door shipping is a one-stop service where the freight forwarder handles the entire journey, from picking up goods from the factory in China to receiving them at the customer’s location in Kenya. Customers avoid the complexities of transit, customs clearance, and duty payments; they simply provide a delivery address.

This service is particularly suitable for cross-border e-commerce businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and those unfamiliar with international logistics. Freight forwarders often also offer value-added services such as packaging, warehousing, cargo consolidation, and insurance to ensure efficient and safe transportation.

What is the process for Door-to-door shipping from China to Kenya?

When shipping from China to Kenya, you need to follow the general process outlined below:

1. Prepare documents and licenses: Ensure you have all the required documents and licenses for export. This may include commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, import/export licenses, certificates of origin, etc. Consult the local trade department or logistics service provider to ensure you have the correct documents prepared.
2. Packaging and labeling: Ensure the goods are properly packaged to prevent damage and ensure safe transportation. Label the packaging with information such as the names, addresses, contact details of the consignor and consignee, description of the goods, quantity, etc. This will help in identifying and tracking the goods.
3. Choose a logistics service provider: Select a professional logistics service provider or freight forwarding company that will assist you in arranging the transportation and customs clearance of the goods. Choose a reliable partner with extensive international logistics experience and a good reputation.
4. Goods pickup and transportation: The logistics service provider will arrange for the pickup of the goods and transport them to Kenya based on the chosen mode of transportation (such as sea freight, air freight, or land transportation). Ensure that you clearly understand the expected transit time and the characteristics of the selected mode of transportation.
5. Customs clearance procedures: Before the goods arrive in Kenya, the logistics service provider will handle the customs clearance procedures. This includes submitting necessary documents to Kenya Customs and paying relevant duties, taxes, etc.
6. Delivery to the destination: Once the goods have completed customs clearance, the logistics service provider will arrange delivery to the destination in Kenya. Ensure that you provide accurate destination address and contact information to ensure accurate delivery of the goods.

Note that the specific process may vary depending on the nature of the goods, mode of transportation, local regulations, and other factors. Therefore, consult Junqing Logistics for detailed consultation and guidance regarding your needs and circumstances.

Shipping Company From China To Kenya

If you’re looking for sea freight services to ship goods from China to Kenya, our Chinese international logistics company has got you covered.

We offer a range of container types and shipping routes to meet If you’re looking for reliable door-to-door shipping from China to Kenya, Junqing logistics services can help. your needs and ensure that your cargo arrives safely and on time.

Junqing logistics offer standard dry containers (20ft and 40ft), refrigerated containers, open-top containers, and flat-rack containers to accommodate goods of different sizes and types.

Our refrigerated containers are ideal for perishable goods, while open-top containers are great for transporting large or bulky items.

Whatever your shipping needs may be, we have a container type that will meet them.

Our shipping routes include direct shipping and transshipment shipping options, depending on the size and urgency of your shipment.

Direct shipping is the quickest and most efficient option for urgent shipments, while transshipment shipping involves shipping goods from China to another port, such as Dubai or Singapore, before shipping them to Kenya. Both depends on the Carrier own schedule.

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