Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container from China to Kenya

China is Kenya’s primary trading partner and largest source of imports, and the two countries enjoy close trade ties. Kenya’s imports from China primarily include heavy machinery, electronics, vehicles, textiles, and daily necessities. Currently, the main shipping routes from China to Kenya are air and sea.

Sea freight is also the preferred shipping method for many businesses and individuals. 20ft and 40ft containers are the most common sizes, but actual freight costs are affected by a variety of factors, including route selection, cargo type, port charges, and seasonal fluctuations.

Sea freight routes from China to Kenya are primarily concentrated in East Africa. Common Chinese loading ports include Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Tianjin. The main port of destination in Kenya is Mombasa, East Africa’s most important deep-water port and a core hub for Kenya’s international trade.

Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen generally have the largest shipping volumes, offering frequent sailings and competitive pricing. Depending on the route and carrier, sailing times typically range from 22 to 30 days. Direct sailings offer more stable schedules but slightly higher prices. Transshipment routes, while offering lower costs, may require additional transit time.

For goods requiring inland distribution, unloading at the Port of Mombasa can be followed by rail or road transport to Nairobi, Kisumu, or other cities. Standard rail transport from Mombasa to Nairobi takes approximately 1–2 days, while road transport times can fluctuate slightly depending on traffic conditions.

To mitigate risk, it’s recommended to book shipping 2–3 weeks in advance and work with an experienced freight forwarder to ensure availability of space and sailing times. During peak seasons (such as around Christmas), shipping routes are tight, impacting both pricing and timeliness. Advance planning can effectively avoid delays.

Container Sizes and Suitable Cargo

20ft and 40ft containers are the two most popular sizes in international shipping. A 20-foot container has an internal capacity of approximately 33 cubic meters and is suitable for heavier but relatively smaller cargo, such as machinery parts, minerals, and metal products. A 40-foot container, on the other hand, has a capacity of nearly 67 cubic meters and is more suitable for bulky or lightweight cargo, such as furniture, textiles, and general merchandise.

For high-value or safety-critical cargo, a 40-foot high cabinet (40HC) is also an option. It’s approximately 30 centimeters taller than a standard 40-foot container, allowing for greater cargo loading capacity. Different container sizes vary in loading methods and costs, so understanding the volume and weight of your cargo is key to determining the optimal container type.

Additionally, containers are categorized into specialized types, such as dry containers, reefers, and open tops. For cold-chain foods or extra-high equipment, specialized container types are required, which can be more expensive.

Choosing the right container not only reduces transportation costs but also improves loading efficiency, reducing unnecessary empty space and reinforcement costs. Therefore, communicating with your freight forwarder before booking to confirm the most suitable container type is the first step to saving overall costs.

How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Kenya?

The cost of shipping a container from China to Kenya primarily includes ocean freight, port charges, documentation fees, and customs clearance and delivery fees at the destination port. Ocean freight is the primary component. Depending on the route and shipping company, the base freight for a 20ft container ranges from approximately US$2,200 to US$4,500, while a 40ft container typically costs between US$2,800 and US$5,200.

Port charges include terminal handling charges (THC) at the Chinese export port, documentation fees, and manifest fees. These charges are typically borne by the shipper and range from US$200 to US$400 per container. At the Kenyan destination port, unloading port charges, customs clearance fees, and possible storage fees are also required. Delays in customs clearance can significantly increase storage fees.

Additional charges, such as the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), Bunker Air Freight (BAF), and security surcharges, fluctuate with international oil prices and the shipping market. Signing a long-term agreement with a shipping company or freight forwarder can help lock in more stable freight rates.

In addition, if your cargo requires insurance, the premium is typically calculated at 0.3%–0.5% of the cargo value, effectively reducing the risk of damage or loss during transit. Confirming all fees with your freight forwarder in advance can help avoid unexpected additional charges at the destination port.

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Cost of Shipping 20ft Containers from China to Kenya

The average price to ship a 20ft container from China to Kenya is from $2550 to $4550. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container from China to Kenya ranges depending on the route.

Cost of Shipping 40ft Containers from China to Kenya

The average price to ship a 40ft container from China to Kenya is from $2850 to $5550. The shipping timeline to ship a 40 foot container from China to Kenya ranges depending on the route.

If you are interested in shipping containers from China to other African countries, you can read the corresponding posts below:

If you’re interested in shipping costs from China to Kenya, including not only full container loads (FCL), but also ocean freight (LCL), and air freight, you can find an approximate cost in the table below.

LCL shipping costs from China to Kenya

AIR FREIGHT COST FROM CHINA TO KENYA

Delivery service from China to Kenya Express

International Express: DHL international express, EMS international express, UPS international express, TNT international express, FedEx international express

International mail: China post parcel, Hongkong post parcel, Swiss post parcel

The cost of express delivery from China to Kenya is generally between US$10 and US$25 per kilogram.

• Air Freight: 3-8 days
• Sea Freight: 25-40 days
• International Express: 3-5 days
• International Mail: 7-20 days

The time limit varies according to the delivery method and destination country and is affected by weather and other factors.

If you need professional and reliable full container load (FCL) shipping services from China to Kenya, Basenton Logistics offers comprehensive solutions. We offer door-to-door and DDP (delivery duty paid) shipping options for 20-foot and 40-foot containers, saving time and effort.

Basenton has extensive shipping routes, connecting major ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Qingdao to Mombasa, Kenya, and can arrange inland transit to cities like Nairobi and Kisumu. Our team is familiar with Kenyan customs clearance policies and can assist you in preparing all necessary documentation to ensure smooth customs clearance.

In addition, we have established long-term partnerships with numerous shipping companies and offer a variety of solutions tailored to your cargo volume, timeframe, and budget, including direct shipping, transshipment, LCL, and FCL, to meet your diverse needs.

Tips: When choosing a dedicated line company, the main consideration is the company’s strength, transportation timeliness, required costs, and value-added services provided, and then cooperate with the logistics company according to your needs. Finally, considering the nature of your products, it is more suitable to choose the sea or air transport. Basenton is a logistics service provider from China that can provide customers with a comprehensive logistics solution provider, with business covering global LCL, ocean/sea (FCL), air transportation, express service warehousing, logistics, distribution, dangerous goods, customs clearance, Transportation and trade services, able to safely transport customers’ goods to all over the world at reasonable prices.

The above is an introduction to shipping costs from China to Kenya. If you would like to learn more about freight services from China to other African countries, please click on the service catalog on Basenton’s official website.