1. It is of utmost importance to every business organization in a wide range of industries to be able to deliver their goods to their destinations within selected suitable schedules at the lowest cost.

2. Millions of East African residents have a hard time making purchases abroad and getting their cargo air shipped to their destination. Today we are happy to announce that you can buy anything you want from China and we will deliver it to your door.

3. We at DFH Global Logistics, are proud of our services to our clients based in China and Africa. We are among the top trade facilitators for both countries. We provide an array of services that ensure safe and timely dispatch of goods between both countries

4. Freight forwarding is a very competitive industry. We at DFH Global Logistics understand that thoroughly and always give our customers our lowest best quotes. Our profit margins are very reasonable and we believe in giving the best services so that our customers return to us again and again.

5. DFH Global Logistics is more than a freight forwarding company. We provide personalized services to our valued clients. We believe in quality services at a very affordable price. Our staff is courteous, friendly and very professional. They know their job very well and provide you a tailor-made solution for your problems.

6. Choosing an agent that is reliable, service-oriented, well-reputed, and competitive. Just give DFH Global Logistics a chance to serve you and see how we exceed your expectations. We prioritize our customers over anything else and focus on providing valuable services with customer satisfaction our prime motive

7. On DFH Global Logistics you can complete just one simple request form with your details and information about the load that you wish to ship internationally. Our Partners will contact you directly by phone or email and offer you their international shipping rates. Select the best value for your move and save money!

8. If you want to know any info about shipping from China to Kenya, like shipping companies from China to Kenya, how long does a ship take from China to Kenya, cost of shipping container from China to Kenya, etc, just contact our support team and we will be 24/7 online to support your business.

Kenya and China are two important trade partners. Kenya is an important and economically growing country in Africa. It depends on China for a lot of its imports.
1. DFH Logistics: Your best shipping companion from China to Kenya
2. Importing from China to Kenya:
3. Sea shipping from China to Kenya
4. Air shipping from China to Kenya
5. FCL shipping from China to Kenya
6. LCL shipping from China to Kenya
7. Express shipping from China to Kenya
8. Shipping from China to Kenya via Ali express
9. Why choose DFH Logistics?

The trading volume between the two countries was US$5.3 billion in 2018, of which US$3.91 billion were imports from China. The trade volume is increasing and Kenya is fast becoming a top African market for Chinese goods.

DFH Logistics: Your best shipping companion from China to Kenya

We at DFH Logistics, are proud of our services to our clients based in China and Africa. We are among the top trade facilitators for both countries. We provide an array of services that ensure safe and timely dispatch of goods between both countries. Our range of services include, but not limited to the following;

Pickup and delivery:

We will pick the cargo from your given address and transport it to the port of your choice for its onward shipment. We can pick from any factory or warehouse situated in China and deliver to the nearest port or where you instruct us to deliver the goods.

Free warehouse and distribution:

We also provide the facility of free warehousing for as long as the goods are not boarded on the shipping vessel. Sometimes the buyer has to consolidate 2-3 shipments. We can keep your goods at our warehouse and then load them for shipment.

Container loading supervision service:

Often the loaders at the port are not careful while loading cartons in the container. This results in damage and breakage to the goods. We make sure that the goods are loaded with utmost care. Our supervision ensures there is no mishandling of the goods.

Cargo insurance:

We can also ensure your goods against unforeseen risks, thefts, damage, etc. You will have to pay a nominal premium to the insurance company and your goods will get some much-needed security.

Custom clearance:

Custom clearance is another stage of import that we can help you with. We will prepare the documents and show them to Chinese customs for the speedy clearance of goods. Sometimes the shipment can get delayed due to customs. Our agent will get through the process quickly.

COC:

COC or certificate of conformity is required by the Kenyan authorities for allowing the entry of goods in Kenya. It is issued by the Chinese supplier. We can coordinate with the Chinse supplier to get it issued without any hassle and you get clearance from Kenyan customs in no time.

Competitive freight:

Freight forwarding is a very competitive industry. We at DFH Logistics understand that thoroughly and always give our customers our lowest best quotes. Our profit margins are very reasonable and we believe in giving the best services so that our customers return to us again and again.

Professional documentation:

Our staff will assist you in preparing and getting all the shipping documents that are required by law. This includes all the documents that the customs will ask for in Kenya. We can get them ready from the supplier and/or the Chinese customs authorities.

Importing from China to Kenya:

Chinese imports to Kenya are subject to Kenyan import laws and regulations. Let’s take a look at some of the important ones below;

Product safety and standards regulation:

Kenyan government wants goods of a certain quality and standard to enter the country. Cheap and substandard goods create unfair competition in the market resulting in the closure of local factories. So, to protect local industry and maintain quality the Kenyan government requires the following;

• Import inspection
• Pre-Export verification of conformity
• Marks of Quality

Let’s discuss them briefly;

Import inspection:

Here the imported goods are inspected by the KEBS (Kenyan bureau of standards) staff. They take samples from the goods for testing and check if they comply with relevant Kenyan standards. If found okay, they are allowed entry in the country otherwise the goods are sent back. The importer should inform his supplier beforehand that the goods can be sent back to China if the quality is not approved by the KEBS staff.

Pre-Export verification of conformity:

In this process, the goods are tested, inspected, sampled, at the country of origin, in this case, China. For conducting this exercise, KEBS has authorized 6 inspection companies who undertake the quality tests in the exporting countries. If found ok, a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued to the importer.

Marks of quality:

In the case of imports, KEBS asks for the import standardization mark of quality (ISM) to be affixed on all imports. These stickers come with track and trace software to discourage faking of KEBS stickers and markings. The ISM sticker should be affixed on all goods coming from China.

If the importer fails to get the goods inspected in China, he will pay a penalty when the goods arrive in Kenya. The penalty is 15% of the CIF value,15% bond, and the cost of the inspection.

For certain items like guns and ammunition, special import permits are needed.

Edible items should mention their date of expiry clearly beside the ISM mark. The same goes for drugs. Live animals and plants are also subject to quarantine restrictions.

Restrictions of import to Kenya:

Kenya does not allow the import of the following items in its territory;

• Pornographic or obscene material in any form or type
• Counterfeit currency and goods of all types
• Narcotic drugs
• Cosmetics that contain mercury
• Used tires
• Matches that contain white phosphorus
• Distilled beverages and essential oils that contain harmful chemicals
• Some specific industrial and agricultural chemicals
• Harmful wastes
• Any item which has been specified for import restriction by the law for the time being or permanently.

Restricted items:

The above is the list of items that are not allowed for import under any circumstances. Following is the list of items which are allowed for import but subject to certain conditions and special permits;

Any item which has been declared for restricted import by the law.

• Postal franking machine
• Traps for capturing or killing animals
• Precious metals and stones in raw form
• Arms and ammunition
• Bones, teeth, hair, ivory, horns, shells, etc. of various animals
• Ozone harming substances
• Corals and similar material in raw form
• Genetically modified products
• Historical artifacts
• These and some other items require special permission from authorities for import in the country.

Items of import from China to Kenya:

Kenya imports a plethora of items from China. Some of the important ones are;

• Mobile phones
• Electrical equipment
• Motor vehicles and parts
• Plastic products
• Furniture & fixtures
• Lightning and related products
• Shoes
• Clothes
• Articles made of iron and steel

Kenya import duty and taxes:

Kenya follows international harmonized systems (HS) for the classification of products and application of import duty/taxes. The import tax rate varies between 0%, 10%, and 25% as given by the East Africa Community Common External Tariff (CET). Some items classified as sensitive items, attract a higher rate of duty than 25%. The list of sensitive items can be obtained from the Kenyan Revenue Authority.

Excise duty:

Some items may be subject to excise duty. The list of such items and the applicable rates are given in the Excise Duty Act,2015.

Value-added tax (VAT):

VAT is levied at 16%, but certain items are exempt from VAT levy. For a list of those items consult your clearing agent or the VAT act of 2013.

Railway development levy and Import declaration fee:

A railway development levy of 1.5% and import declaration fee of 2% is applicable on the total value of imported cargo.

Shipping agents from China to Kenya:

You can find literally hundreds, if not thousands of shipping agents willing to give you their services. But it is wise to choose an agent that is reliable, service-oriented, well-reputed, and competitive. Fortunately, DFH Logistics has all of these attributes. Just give us a chance to serve you and see how we exceed your expectations. We prioritize our customers over anything else and focus on providing valuable services with customer satisfaction our prime motive.

How many days does it take for a shipment to reach from China to Kenya?

It takes between 20-28 days for a shipment to reach from China to Kenya. The duration varies, depending on the port of discharge and the destination port. But you can get your shipment at a maximum in 4 weeks. Sometimes weather, speed of the vessel, rush at ports also make a difference in transit time.

Sea shipping from China to Kenya

Both countries trade extensively via the sea route. To facilitate the sea trade both countries have developed seaports along their coasts. China has a very long coastline and has developed several modern seaports alongside. We take a look at some of them below.

Main seaports in China:

Following are the main seaports of China;

Guangzhou:

Guangzhou is located in the south of the country and is the capital of Guangdong province. It has a busy and developed seaport, among the busiest in the world. The port is connected to 300 ports all over the world and all the major shipping lines have offices there. It has all the facilities of a modern seaport.

Shenzhen:

Shenzhen is located in the southeast of the country. It is also one of the busiest container ports in the world. It ranks in the top 5. Shenzhen has facilities like storage, handling, bonded warehouse, etc. Shenzhen is the starting point of 130 sea routes worldwide.

Xiamen:

Xiamen is also a big seaport with the capacity to handle big vessels. It is the 15th largest container port in the world. The presence of the top 20 shipping companies in Xiamen marks its importance. It is connected to around 50 countries of the world with hundreds of ships on call every month.

Ningbo:

Another busy Chinese seaport with millions of tons’ cargo handling every year. It is located almost in the middle of the Chinese mainland’s coastline. This makes it ideal for transporting goods produced in the central parts of the country like the Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. It remains operational throughout the year which is another plus point.

Shanghai:

Shanghai is the largest container port in the world.  One-fourth of the global container traffic takes place in Shanghai.  More than 2000 containers leave Shanghai port for their global destinations. It serves some 281 sea routes globally.

Qingdao:

The port of Qingdao is located along the coast of the Yellow Sea in Shandong province. It is a natural deep water port that is operational throughout the year. It is among the busiest in the world with the capacity to handle millions of tons of cargo annually. It has large terminals for containers, grains, iron ore, etc. It is connected to some 450 ports in 130 countries.

Tianjin:

Tianjin is called the sea gate of Beijing due to its proximity to Beijing which has no sea or river of its own. Tianjin is connected to 500 ports worldwide. It records the activity of around 500 ships every month. It has great economic importance for the north and northeastern region. This port serves some five million square kilometers of the hinterland.

Main seaports in Kenya:

We now shed some light on the main ports of Kenya.

Mombasa:

Mombasa is the main port of Kenya. Besides Kenya, it also serves neighboring landlocked countries like Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, etc.  It’s got 16 deep-water berths and two oil terminals. It is linked to the rest of the country via road, road and air routes. It is well-equipped to handle conventional cargo as well as container terminal operations.

Malindi (KEMYD):

Malindi is a small port and is mostly used for fishing and handling tourist traffic. The Kenyan Port Authority is developing its pier to help the fishing industry and facilitate tourist traffic. The jetty for fish landing can handle 1250 MT every year. Some 2500 sqm of land will be acquired to develop this port and build offices, fish storage, and allied facilities.

Lamu:

Lamu is an up and coming port project included in the Kenya Vision 2030 project. It envisages the development of a world-class portable to handle large vessels, an international airport, and raid and road links that stretch deep into Kenya and neighboring countries. Its 10 km long coastline has the capacity for 23 berths. After completion, it is expected that the port will handle 23.9 million tons of cargo traffic annually.

How much is the shipping cost from China to Kenya?

The shipping cost from China to Kenya includes the carrier charges which is also called ocean freight that the shipping company will quote you. Besides this, there will be other charges that you will pay like terminal handling charges, customs clearance, port fees, documentation, delivery fees, etc. Usually, all these charges are clubbed together and presented to the buyer. If you want, they can also give you the breakdown of each charge. It is better to discuss all the charges in advance, so there is no confusion and no hidden charges appear at the eleventh hour. The price that does not include logistics is called FOB (freight on board) while the one that includes transportation is called CNF (cost and freight) or CIF where I stand for Insurance. The actual cost depends on the size of your cargo, weight, and other factors like the nature of the goods, the timing of shipment, speed of the vessel, etc.

Container shipping cost from China to Mombasa port:

If you are booking a full container of your cargo, then the shipping company will charge you a fixed fee for it. The fee would depend on the size of the container that you have booked. Generally, a container would cost you US$150-250 per cubic meter (CBM) from China to Kenya.

Shipping companies from China to Kenya:

There are plenty of shipping companies in China that operate between these two countries. Some of the popular ones are listed below;

• MSC Cargo International
• China Ocean Shipping Cargo (Group) Co., LTD (COSCO)
• China Shipping Group
• China Shipping Container Lines
• Nan Fung Group
• China Merchants Energy Shipping
• Sinotrans shipping
• Orient Overseas Container Lines
• The China Navigation Company
• China Shipping Development, etc.

Documents for Sea shipment:

Once your shipment is on board you will need the following documents in the original form for customs clearance at Kenyan port.

• Certificate of conformity (COC)
• Import declaration form (IDF)
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of lading
• Import license
• Insurance Policy

Air shipping from China to Kenya

Besides the sea, the option of shipment by air is also available between China and Kenya. Let’s discuss the various aspects of this shipment below;

Advantages of air freight:

The main advantage of air shipment is that you get to save a lot of time. You can get your shipment in 2-3 days what you might get in 2 weeks. But the charges are understandably very high. Air shipment is feasible only when you urgently require the goods and the goods in question are lightweight. Heavy goods or goods that are large are not feasible for air shipment. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the important airports of both China and Kenya.

Main airports in China:

The following are the main airports in China.

Beijing International airport:

Beijing has a big and modern airport. It is one of the busiest in the region and the world. It is connected with major cities of the world and all the international airlines land here. The airport got a new terminal and a runway before the Beijing Olympics increasing its productivity. Beijing is conveniently connected via road, air and rail links with the rest of the country so your shipment can reach there anywhere from China.

Guangzhou International airport:

Guangzhou is among the largest cities in China. It is the capital city of Guangdong province and an important commercial, industrial, and trade hub. It is also famous for its trade fair (Canton fair) held twice a year. The airport serves a large number of passengers, that run into millions every year. It serves the people coming from or going to the South of the country.

Shanghai Pudong International airport:

Shanghai is a megacity of China. It is the financial and trading hub of the country. It is the primary airport of China being touched by all the major international and regional airlines. It is a vast and modern airport with two terminals catering to international travelers. You can go anywhere in China from Shanghai via air, road or rail. It is connected with the rest of the country.

Shenzhen Baoan International airport:

Shenzhen is another important city in China and its airport is the 5th largest in the country. The airport is served well by international carriers, with more and more adding it to their destinations. The city has appealed both for business and leisure travelers. This has transformed the airport as a major regional aviation hub.

Shanghai Hongqiao International airport:

This is the old airport in China. It hasn’t been abandoned after Pudong airport got operational. This proves the importance of Shanghai. The airport is connected to a regional and limited number of international destinations. You can also get flights for traveling in China. The airport is still serving its patrons well.

Xi’an Xianyang International airport:

Xi’an is the capital of Shaanxi province in the northwestern part of China. Xi’an airport is linked to the rest of the country by convenient ground and air routes. The airport served some 4.5 million passengers in 2018 and is fast becoming another important and busy airport in China.

Chongqing Jiangbei International airport:

Chongqing is among the large cities of China located in the southwestern part of the country. The airport has a visa-free transit facility of 120 hours for many international travelers. The airport has a modern infrastructure with all the allied facilities you want in a modern airport. It is poised to grow further over time.

Hangzhou Xiaoshan International airport:

Hangzhou is the capital of Zhejiang province, which is a major industrial province of China. The airport sees a large influx of both cargo and passenger traffic every year. It caters to millions of travelers every year and has convenient connecting points to important regional and international destinations. Its location makes it ideal for business travelers.

Xiamen Gaoqi international airport:

Xiamen airport serves this port city located on the southwest coast of the country in Fujian province. Construction of a new airport is underway to accommodate ever-increasing air traffic and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The current airport is linked with the rest of the country via air and ground links and is serving its users well.

Qingdao Liuting International airport:

Qingdao airport comprises of two large terminals and it serves dozens of international and domestic routes. It is among the busiest airports in China and around 20 major international and regional airlines land at this airport.

Major airports of Kenya:

After China, we know to take a look at some of the important airports in Kenya.

Moi International airport:

Moi international airport is the major airport in Kenya located in the city of Mombasa. It is served by international and regional carriers well. It was expanded and upgraded by the government and the work completed in 2016 to add a new terminal, runway, and an expanded apron. The airport can now handle 2.4 million passengers annually.

Eldoret International airport:

Eldoret is located in the city of Eldoret in the Midwestern part of the country and it serves the city and its adjoining areas. It was built to promote tourism and economic activity in the western part of the country.

Jomo Kenyatta International airport:

Located in the capital Nairobi this is the largest airport in Kenya. It is also the busiest airport in the country and the whole of East Africa. This airport serves as a major aviation hub for Central and East Africa. The airport has seen one major expansion in the recent past increasing its capacity to handle passenger traffic to 9 million. The airport is served by 40 passengers and 25 cargo airlines and the number is set to grow further.

Kisumu International airport:

Kisumu is located in the western part of the country. Kisumu is an industrial town and third largest city in Kenya. The airport serves as a gateway to other East African countries like Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, etc. It was opened in 2011, keeping in view the economic potential of the region and to serve as a catalyst for development. So far, it is serving this purpose very well.

Air shipping time from China to Kenya:

Air cargo from China to Kenya can reach in 4-7 days. So, there is an obvious advantage of the saved time between the sea and air shipments.

Air shipping cost from China to Kenya:

Airfreight from China to Kenya depends on the nature of the item, weight, dimensions, and the airport of origin as well as the destination. Usually, the air freight charges can fall somewhere in US$3-3.50/kg. But it is just a tentative figure.

Dimensional and actual weight of the cargo:

The actual weight is, as the name suggests the actual weight of the commodity itself. This weight is assigned by the supplier and is usually correct. Dimensional weight is length, height, and width of the shipment, measured in inches, and then divided by 194. Both the weights are compared and the heavier one is used by the shipping company. Often, the actual weight is heavier, and therefore it is used. The weight so used by the shipping company is referred to as chargeable weight.

FCL shipping from China to Kenya:

FCL refers to a full container load. When your cargo is big enough to fill a container you got for FCL shipment. There are usually two heights of containers; 20’ and 40’. The shipping company charges a fixed fee for the container depending on the size. FCL shipments are considered safe and fast. The container is closed once it is full and then opened at the destination port.

LCL shipping from China to Kenya

LCL stands for loose container load or some also call it less than container load. Many times your cargo is not large enough to fill a container. So you go for LCL mode. Here you will share the shipping space in a container with other cargos. More cargo may be added to the container or taken out from it during transit. Sometimes there is a risk of damage or mishandling during shipment but generally, the goods reach the destination safely. The shipping company charges a freight rate on either your weight or the dimensions of the cargo.

Express shipping from China to Kenya

Besides air and sea modes, you can also opt for express shipments from China to Kenya. Express shipments mean using courier services to deliver your package. These companies will pick your parcel, get it cleared from the custom and then deliver to the doorstep of the receiver. The entire procedure is completed in 3-5 days. It is much faster but the most expensive way of transporting goods. Usually, documents and lightweight packages are delivered using these companies. Such parcels that require little or no customs can reach their destination on the third day of the dispatch date. If the parcel contains items that require customs, then 1-2 days can be added. The popular companies offering express shipments are;

• DHL
• TNT
• UPS
• FedEx
• EMS

The last one, EMS is the cheapest the rest charge more or less the same rates. These companies are not an alternative to regular modes of shipments. If you have a large shipment with heavyweight and lots of items, you will opt only for sea shipment.

Shipping from China to Kenya via Ali express

Ali Express is a subsidiary of alibab.com. Ali Express is the retail trading wing of alibba.com. It has made a name for itself in a short period. You can buy almost anything from Ali Express at very affordable rates. They deliver anywhere in the world, and you will get your package usually in 2 weeks. They accept credit cards and other modes of digital payments. Ali Express also delivers to Kenya and the service is used by the African nation for purchasing a variety of items.

Why choose DFH Logistics?

DFH Logistics is more than a freight forwarding company. We provide personalized services to our valued clients. We believe in quality services at a very affordable price. If you compare the level of our services with our price you can declare us the cheapest company in the industry. Our staff is courteous, friendly and very professional. They know their job very well and provide you a tailor-made solution for your problems. At DFH, we are with you every step of the way. You can count on us for delivery, reliability, and overall great experience.