How to Import from China to Kenya in 2026: KRA Duty, Clearance and Costs

Anyone asking how to import from China to Kenya in 2026 needs to know about a change that came early in the year: the arrangement that used to certify general goods before shipment ended in February, and Kenya has since been rebuilding it. That affects what you do before the factory loads your container. This guide covers the Kenyan route from end to end: the KEBS conformity requirement, filing the Import Declaration through KenTrade and KRA's iCMS system, how duty, VAT and levies stack up, and what to expect when the cargo lands at Mombasa.

KEBS and PVoC: what changed in 2026

Kenya's pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) programme requires regulated goods to be checked in the country of export, and China falls in the first of eight PVoC zones. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) issued a public notice stating that the PVoC contracts for general goods expired on 8 February 2026, that requests received on or before that date would still be processed, and that new inspection companies would be procured for a three-year cycle.

Until the new arrangement was running, KEBS said goods shipped from 9 February 2026 without a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) face destination inspection at a fee of 0.6% of the approved customs value. Importers could reduce delay by testing goods at an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory before shipment or by obtaining KEBS product registration under the Diamond Mark scheme. A DHL guide describes a 2026 to 2029 framework with nine PVoC providers across the eight zones, and three certification routes with fees of 0.50% to 0.60% of FOB value. This is an area that is still settling, so check the current PVoC manual on kebs.org before you place an order, and ask your supplier whether it already holds a valid CoC for your product.

How KRA and KenTrade handle your import declaration

Kenya Revenue Authority runs customs through the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), which has been replacing the older Simba system. KRA's public notice set 6 May 2022 as the date after which most entries lodged on Simba were no longer processed. Alongside it, the Kenya TradeNet platform run by KenTrade is where an Import Declaration Form (IDF) is created and supporting documents are uploaded.

A licensed clearing agent normally files for you. The sequence is usually: register on the platform, create the IDF with HS codes, attach the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill and any permits, then submit it to KRA for assessment and payment. Once payment is made and the declaration is cleared, a release order is issued. KRA's own FAQ tells importers to use a licensed clearing agent, and a good one will check your HS codes before submission because a wrong code changes the duty.

Import duty in Kenya: CET bands, VAT, IDF and RDL

Kenya applies the East African Community Common External Tariff. A 2026 guide from a Kenyan firm summarises the bands as 0% for raw materials and capital goods, 10% for intermediate goods, 25% for most finished goods and 35% for some protected goods, with a sensitive list above that. Duty is charged on the customs value, which is normally the price plus freight and insurance to the port of entry.

On top of duty come other charges that catch first-time importers off guard:

• VAT: reported at 16%, charged on a base that includes duty and levies. VAT-registered businesses can generally recover it as input VAT.
• Railway Development Levy (RDL): 2% of customs value, which funds the Standard Gauge Railway debt.
• Import Declaration Fee (IDF): a percentage of customs value. Sources we checked disagree on whether it is currently 2.5% or 3.5% after the Finance Act changes, so confirm the current rate with KRA rather than relying on one blog.
• Excise duty and other levies: apply to specific products only. The Finance Act 2026 changed some excise rates, for example on imported sugar and certain plastic and timber products.

Duty and levy rates are changed by the annual Finance Act, so treat these as a guide and confirm with KRA or a licensed clearing agent before you commit to a price.

Mombasa port: what happens when the cargo lands

Sea freight to Kenya typically comes in through the Port of Mombasa, where KRA first piloted its iCMS system. If your cargo is headed upcountry, plan transport to Nairobi or beyond as part of your costing, and ask your agent whether your goods will clear at the port or move under customs control to another station. Long storage at the port is expensive, so file the declaration early, have duty ready, and book trucks against a confirmed release rather than an estimate.

Air freight into Nairobi is the alternative for samples and high-value goods. Ask a forwarder for current rates by weight and volume because they shift often.

Choosing a freight forwarder and clearing agent

Separate the two jobs in your head. The forwarder arranges the shipping from China and gives you the bill of lading. The clearing agent files in Kenya and pays duty on your behalf. Some companies do both, but ask for a written quote that breaks out freight, port charges, agency fees and duty, and compare at least two quotes. Our guide to Incoterms explains how FOB and CIF change who pays for what, and the landed cost calculation shows how to roll all of these into one per-unit price.

Mistakes Kenyan importers make

• Shipping without checking conformity first. No valid CoC can mean destination inspection and delay.
• Using the supplier's HS code without checking. Classification drives the duty rate.
• Forgetting the stacked charges. VAT, RDL and IDF are added to duty, not instead of it.
• Not planning transport inland from Mombasa.
• Ordering too much too soon. Start with a sample or a small trial order.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a clearing agent to import into Kenya? KRA's guidance says importers must use a licensed clearing agent for clearance. Confirm the current requirement with KRA.

What is a Certificate of Conformity in Kenya? It is proof that regulated goods meet Kenyan standards, issued before shipment under PVoC. Without one, goods from PVoC countries can face destination inspection.

Is VAT on imports refundable? VAT-registered businesses can usually claim import VAT as input tax within the allowed period, but check this with a tax adviser or KRA.

Can I avoid the whole process by buying locally? For smaller quantities, often yes. Compare the landed cost of an import with a quote from a Kenyan wholesaler. See our guide to wholesale suppliers in Mombasa for local options.

Getting started

Before you commit to a container, test the market. Create a free Comilmart account, post a request for quote (RFQ) in the B2B catalog, and order samples from verified suppliers in the supplier directory. Buyer protection holds payments until delivery is confirmed, with a 7-day window to report issues, so you can compare local supply against importing with real numbers.