How to Import From China to Kenya: Suppliers, Shipping, KRA and Standards

To import from China to Kenya, you need a supplier you have verified, a clear product specification, a freight route to Mombasa (or by air to Nairobi), a licensed clearing agent, and proof that your goods meet Kenyan standards where required. You then declare the goods to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), pay the duties and taxes that apply to your product, and collect the cargo. None of these steps is difficult on its own, but skipping one is how a profitable order turns into a loss.

This guide is for Kenyan traders, shop owners and online sellers who want to buy from China and sell in Kenya. It explains the general process, the bodies you will deal with, and the checks that protect your money. It is general information. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements with KRA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and a licensed customs agent before you pay a supplier.

If you are searching for how to import from China to Kenya, the short answer is to learn the rules for your product first and spend money second. Many traders who buy from China sell in Kenya through shops, WhatsApp groups and marketplaces, and the same discipline applies to all of them.

Decide what you are importing before you look for suppliers

New importers often start with a supplier and then work out the rules. Do it the other way round. Write down the product, the material, the size, the quantity you can afford, and the Kenyan customers who will buy it. Then ask a clearing agent two questions: what is the correct tariff classification for this product, and does it need KEBS conformity checking before it ships?

The classification matters because the duty and tax you pay depend on it. Two products that look similar to you can be classified differently. An agent who handles your kind of goods every week can usually tell you quickly, and it costs far less to ask before you order than after the goods arrive.

Finding and verifying suppliers in China

You can find Chinese suppliers through marketplaces, trade fairs, factory directories, sourcing agents and, increasingly, social platforms. Whatever route you use, treat the first contact as a screening exercise, not a sale. Our guide on how to verify a supplier before you pay covers the checks in detail. The short version is:

• Ask for the company's registered name, address and business licence, and check that they match the name on the bank account you will pay into.
• Ask for photos and short videos of the actual product and the factory or warehouse, taken on the day you ask.
• Order a sample first, even if it costs more per unit, and test it the way your customer will use it.
• Be careful with anyone who asks you to pay into a personal account, offers a price far below every other quote, or pushes you to pay quickly.

Comilmart is a marketplace that connects buyers with verified manufacturers, wholesalers and vendors across Africa, and you can post a sourcing request if you would rather compare offers than search alone. For goods made in China, the verification steps above still apply to any supplier you find anywhere.

KEBS and PVoC: check your product's standards first

Kenya runs a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme, known as PVoC, through KEBS. For products it covers, goods are checked in the exporting country and a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is issued before shipment. KEBS says the programme exists to keep substandard goods out and to speed up clearance for compliant ones. Countries are grouped into zones, and China falls within a covered zone according to published guidance from logistics firms. Goods without a required certificate can face inspection at the Kenyan port, and goods that fail can be refused entry.

There is an important caution here. DHL's Kenya guidance says the previous general-goods inspection contracts expired in February 2026 and that KEBS has published a new PVoC Manual, so the contractors, zones and routes may differ from older guides you find online. Check the KEBS website for the current manual and the list of appointed inspection companies, and ask your supplier whether they have experience obtaining a CoC for your product. Some importers, such as registered local manufacturers bringing in raw materials or machinery, may qualify for exemptions, but exemptions have their own paperwork.

Practical tip: write into your purchase agreement that the supplier will cooperate with the PVoC process, and that you may cancel or renegotiate if the certificate cannot be issued. Do not assume that a Chinese factory knows Kenyan requirements.

China to Kenya shipping: sea, air and what suits your cargo

For most commercial quantities, China to Kenya shipping means sea freight into the Port of Mombasa. You can ship a full container (FCL) if you have enough goods, or share space with other importers (LCL) if you do not. Air freight, usually into Nairobi, costs more per kilogram but is often used for small, high-value or urgent items, and for samples.

Your supplier will normally quote on one of a few terms, such as EXW, FOB or CIF. The term decides who pays for which part of the journey and who carries the risk at each stage. FOB means the supplier delivers the goods onto the ship at the Chinese port. You then arrange or pay for the sea freight, insurance and everything after. Ask your forwarder to explain the term before you accept a quote, and always compare quotes on the same term.

Do not guess transit times or freight rates from an old article. Ask a freight forwarder for a written quote for your specific cargo, and ask what is included at each end. Our freight to Africa guide explains how quotes are built.

Customs clearance in Kenya: KRA, your agent and the paperwork

Customs in Kenya is run by KRA. It has been moving cargo clearance onto its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), which it describes as replacing the older Simba system. Most importers do not use the system directly. They appoint a licensed customs agent (also called a clearing agent) who lodges the declaration for them. KRA publishes lists of licensed customs agents, so you can check that a company is licensed before you hire it.

Your agent will normally ask for these documents:

• The commercial invoice from the supplier.
• The packing list.
• The bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air).
• The KEBS Certificate of Conformity, if your product requires one.
• Your KRA PIN and importer details.

Our guide to the bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list explains why the details on these must match exactly. A mismatch in quantity, description or value can cause delays and extra charges. Kenya also uses a national electronic single window run by KenTrade for lodging many import documents, and your agent will usually handle that for you.

For a full walk-through of what happens when the ship arrives, read our Mombasa port clearing guide.

Work out your landed cost before you commit

Your real cost per item is not the factory price. It is the factory price plus freight, insurance, inspection and certification costs, import duty and taxes, port and agent charges, transport to your shop, and any losses from damage or unsold stock. Many first-time importers price their goods using only the factory price and discover the gap when the goods arrive.

Illustrative example with round numbers: if an item costs 100 units at the factory and the extra costs add up to another 60 units per item, your cost is 160 before you add any profit. These numbers are only for illustration. Get real quotes for every line, then use our guide to import duties, VAT and landed cost to build your own sheet.

Common mistakes when you buy from China and sell in Kenya

• Paying the full amount upfront to an unverified supplier. Use staged payments, and keep records of every message and receipt.
• Ordering before checking standards. A product that needs a certificate and does not have one can be held for inspection.
• Using an unlicensed agent. Check the agent against the KRA list and ask for a written fee breakdown.
• Ignoring storage time at the port. Delays in paperwork can lead to storage and container charges. Reports in late 2025 described KRA and the Kenya Ports Authority moving long-stay cargo to nearby container freight stations and a five-day free storage period, but terms change, so ask your agent what currently applies.
• Buying too much of one untested product. Start with a small trial order and reorder once it sells.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to import goods from China into Kenya? Generally you need to be registered for tax with a KRA PIN, and some products need additional permits or approvals. Requirements depend on the product, so confirm with KRA and a licensed agent.

What is KEBS PVoC? It is a programme where covered goods are checked against Kenyan standards before shipping, and a Certificate of Conformity is issued. Check the current KEBS manual for which products and countries are covered.

Can I clear the goods myself? Most importers use a licensed customs agent because the process is technical and goes through KRA systems. Confirm with KRA whether and how self-clearing applies to you.

Which port do goods from China arrive at? Sea cargo usually arrives at the Port of Mombasa, then moves by road or rail to Nairobi and other towns. Air cargo usually arrives in Nairobi.

How much will import duty cost me? It depends on the product classification and current tax rules. Ask a licensed agent to confirm before you order, and do not rely on figures from old blog posts.

How can I avoid scams when buying from China? Verify the company, pay into a business account that matches the company name, order samples, and avoid pressure to pay quickly. See our scam alert page for common warning signs.

Getting started

Start small: pick one product, ask an agent about classification and standards, get two or three verified quotes, and order a sample. When you are ready to compare offers, post a sourcing request on Comilmart. Comilmart connects buyers with verified suppliers across Africa, and there are no listing fees to get started. This article is general information, so confirm all customs and standards requirements with the relevant authorities.