Cheapest Shipping Company from China to Kenya

Basenton Logistics is one of the best freight forwarding companies in China. We provide Kenyan customers with transportation services from China to local areas, ensuring the safe and timely transportation of goods between the two countries. Our services range from sea freight, air freight, door to door, customs clearance, insurance, etc.

What are the shipping methods from China to Kenya?

Shipping from China to Kenya is a common practice due to the significant trade relations between the two countries. There are several methods available for shipping goods from China to Kenya, and the choice depends on factors such as the nature of the goods, urgency, and budget. Here are a few options:

Sea Freight: Sea freight is the most economical option for shipping large volumes of goods. The goods are loaded into shipping containers and transported via cargo ships. The shipping time can vary from 20 to 40 days, depending on the specific ports and shipping lines used. You can either use a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL) service, depending on the volume of your goods.

Air Freight: Air freight is a faster option but usually more expensive than sea freight. It is suitable for urgent or high-value shipments. Air freight typically takes around 3 to 7days for delivery. You can work with airlines or freight forwarding companies to arrange air freight services.

Port selection for 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.

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.

Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Kenya

Cheapest Shipping from China to Kenya

Regarding the cheapest mode of transport from China to Kenya, this usually depends on several factors, including the nature of the goods, the quantity, the shipping time requirements, and the selected shipping company. Here is an overview and suggestions on some modes of transport from China to Kenya:

Sea Freight from China to Kenya

Sea freight is an economical way to transport bulk goods from China to Kenya. Sea freight takes longer, but the cost is relatively low, and it is suitable for goods that are not time-sensitive.

• Full Container Load (FCL): If the volume of goods is large, you can choose full container load, that is, a container is completely loaded with your goods. This method is usually more economical than bulk cargo transportation.
• Less than Container Load (LCL): If the volume of goods is not enough to fill a container, you can choose less than container load. The goods of multiple shippers will be loaded into the same container and then shipped to Kenya. Although this method is slightly more expensive, it is cheaper than renting a whole container separately.

Air Freight from China to Kenya

Air freight is the fastest, but also the most expensive. If the goods are very time-sensitive, or the goods are of high value and need to arrive quickly, you can choose air freight. If the goods are within 100kg, the cost of air freight will not be much more expensive than sea freight, so you can choose according to your needs.

Tips for Shipping from China to Kenya

Compare different modes of transport: When choosing a mode of transport, consider factors such as time, cost, and the nature of the goods. Ocean transport is usually the cheapest but takes the longest time; air transport is the fastest but the most expensive; land transport and combined transport may provide an intermediate option.

Choose a reliable transport company: Make sure to choose a transport company with a good reputation and experience to ensure that the goods can reach Kenya safely and on time.

Understand tariffs and taxes: Before shipping, understand Kenya’s import tariffs and taxes policy so that you can prepare for customs clearance of the goods.

Consider insurance: Purchasing shipping insurance for your goods can provide you with additional protection in case the goods are lost or damaged during transportation.

You may also be interested in: How Long Does It Take To Shipping From China To Kenya

10 Best 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.

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

Cheapest Shipping Company from China to Kenya

Why Cheapest Shipping Company from China to Kenya choose Basenton Logistics?

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 Basenton 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.

Shipping from China to Kenya, Basenton 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 Basenton, we are with you every step of the way. You can count on us for delivery, reliability, and overall great experience.