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Best Africa LogisticsShipping from China to Africa

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BEST AFRICA LOGISTICS

China to Kenya
Shipping and logistics

Mombasa is East Africa's most important gateway port. Besides Kenya itself, cargo can move inland by road and rail to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.

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Container terminal yard with ship-to-shore cranes at work, sea freight from China to Mombasa, Kenya
Collect at destination or choose delivery

China → Kenya

Route overview
Sea FCL, in transit
28 - 35 days
Air, in transit
6 - 9 days
East African corridor
Inland transit

Quote within 30 minutes

  • Import requirement

    PVoC pre-shipment inspection

  • Import requirement

    IDF import declaration

  • Import requirement

    KEBS standards

  • Common cargo

    Building materials, hardware and sanitary ware, Agricultural machinery and irrigation equipment, Solar equipment and electrical accessories

Short answer

Updated: August 2026

How long is sea freight from China to Kenya, and can cargo go on to inland countries?

From Shenzhen or Guangzhou to Mombasa, FCL transit is usually 28 to 35 days, and air freight to Nairobi JKIA is 6 to 9 days. Mombasa is East Africa's gateway port: cargo can continue by road or rail along the Northern Corridor to Kampala in Uganda, Kigali in Rwanda and other inland destinations, with that leg added after arrival and clearance.

Company profile

Best Africa Logistics

Freight forwarder from China to Africa: sea and air freight door to door with customs clearance, product certificates for your country, and five warehouses in China to combine and store goods.

Core strengths
  • 10+ years China to Africa
  • Sea and air
  • Door to door, customs cleared
What we do
  • Sea freight: full or shared container
  • Air freight to your door
  • Customs clearance
  • Final delivery
Addresses
Shenzhen warehouse
Ground Floor, Building 12, No.8 Tangwei Industrial Ave, Fuhai Subdistrict, Bao'an District, Shenzhen 518103, China
Both teams and addresses

Our track record

China-Africa freight experience
10+ years
Customers served in total
2,000+
NigeriaGhanaTogoCôte d'IvoireSenegalMoroccoAlgeriaTunisiaEgyptEthiopiaKenyaTanzaniaSouth AfricaChina

Clearance ports in Kenya

We confirm the port before booking, based on your goods, delivery city and port congestion.

Import ports available in Kenya
PortTypeLocationNotes
Mombasa PortSeaportMombasaEast Africa's largest port and the main import route for Kenya and its inland neighbours
Jomo Kenyatta (JKIA)AirportNairobiEast Africa's main air cargo hub
Nairobi ICDInland container depotNairobiInland clearance point for cargo railed from Mombasa
Clearing at Nairobi ICD suits cargo bound for Nairobi and its surroundings and saves a road leg, but rail transit time has to be added.

Time at sea or in the air, from departure. Customs and port queues are extra; peak season and congestion can add time.

At a container door, an inspector in a high-visibility vest holds a document clipboard and points at the labels on cartons inside, with the container yard and gantry cranes behind
Compliance

Import requirements in Kenya

Rules change. We check each product by name and HS code before shipping.

  1. Item 01

    PVoC pre-shipment inspection

    The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) applies Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to listed imports, which need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to clear. Scope follows the list published by KEBS.

  2. Item 02

    IDF import declaration

    The importer applies for an Import Declaration Form (IDF) in the Kenyan customs system and submits it at clearance with the bill of lading, invoice and other documents.

  3. Item 03

    KEBS standards

    Some categories must meet Kenyan standards or come with test reports, especially electrical goods and building materials. Check before shipping.

Check my products

Why Best Africa Logistics

  • Import rules checked first

    • We check Kenya's import rules for each product before shipping, so nothing is missing on arrival

  • Five warehouses in China

    • Shenzhen · Guangzhou · Yiwu · Qingdao · Lianyungang: warehouses near your suppliers, so pickup in China costs less
    • Every step tracked, with early warning of any problem

  • Clear pricing, no hidden fees

    • The quote is the final bill · No surprise storage or inspection charges
    • Full cargo insurance · 10 years in business · Company bank transfers with invoices

Common cargo

Not the full list. Sensitive goods can ship once we check the documents.

  • Building materials, hardware and sanitary ware
  • Agricultural machinery and irrigation equipment
  • Solar equipment and electrical accessories
  • General merchandise and textiles
  • Auto parts
  • Packaging materials

FAQ: shipping from China to Kenya

Does Kenyan clearance need PVoC?

If the product is on the KEBS PVoC list, it needs conformity verification and a CoC before shipment; otherwise it faces destination inspection, fines or re-export on arrival. Whether it is listed depends on the product category and HS code. Send us the product names and we will check.

How long from Mombasa to Uganda?

After clearance in Mombasa, road transport along the Northern Corridor to Kampala usually takes from several days to over a week, depending on clearance speed, border efficiency and truck scheduling. Rail plus road is more predictable but must fit the train schedule. This time is not included in the sea transit time and is added separately.

See all questions

Other routes

Country not listed? Ask usFull transit time table

Connect Africa & ChinaDeliver Opportunities

Best Africa LogisticsShipping from China to Africa

Buying from China? Send us your goods list

Not sure what to send? A product name and your destination city are enough to start. We send a quote within 30 minutes, the same day.

WhatsApp / Phone (Nigeria)
Business hours
Mon to Sun, 2:00 - 17:00 Lagos time (WAT)
Lagos warehouse 1
No 2 Henry Carr Street, By Guinness Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos State 102212, Nigeria
Lagos warehouse 2
No. 5 Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos State 101233, Nigeria
Head office, China
Ground Floor, Building 12, No.8 Tangwei Industrial Ave, Fuhai Subdistrict, Bao'an District, Shenzhen 518103, China
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Goods category (select all that apply)
  • Mon to Sun, 2:00 - 17:00 Lagos time (WAT)
  • Free compliance check
  • Used only for this quotation