Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Kenya

With the growth of trade between China and Kenya, many Chinese companies and individuals have the need to transport goods from China to Kenya. Container transportation is a common mode of transportation for large quantities of goods. This article will introduce the container costs from China to Kenya in detail.

Container Overview

Container is a standardized freight container used for long-distance sea and rail transportation. The container size is uniform, which is convenient for loading and unloading and transshipment. It is generally divided into two common specifications of 20 feet and 40 feet. It is selected according to the characteristics of the goods.

Container Shipping from China to Kenya

The container transportation method from China to Kenya is usually sea transportation. The mainstream ports are Shanghai Port, Ningbo Port and Shenzhen Port in China, as well as Mombasa Port in Kenya. Sea transportation is suitable for large quantities of goods, with relatively low costs and a transportation time of about 20-30 days.

Cost of Shipping 20ft Container from China to Kenya

A 20ft container can usually hold about 28 cubic meters, which is suitable for small-volume cargo transportation, such as small machinery and electronic products. The transportation cost is usually between $2,000 and $3,000 USD, and is also affected by the following factors:

• Route: Different routes may have different costs, and direct flights are usually cheaper than transshipments.
• Nature of goods: If the goods require special handling (such as refrigeration, dangerous goods), the cost will increase.
• Seasonal factors: Freight rates may increase during peak seasons (such as holidays and agricultural product harvest seasons).

Cost of Shipping 40ft Container from China to Kenya

A 40ft container can hold about 58 cubic meters, which is suitable for larger quantities of goods, and is more suitable for products such as textiles and home appliances. The transportation cost is usually around $3,000 – $5,000 USD, and is affected by the same factors as a 20ft container.

Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Kenya

The cost of container shipping generally consists of the following parts:

Basic shipping costs
This part of the cost includes the cost of shipping from the Chinese port to the Kenyan port. Usually the shipping cost will be determined by the type of container, the distance of the goods, the season, and the freight company.

Container rental costs
The cost of container rental depends on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft), and the length of the shipping time. Longer shipping time will increase the cost of renting the container.

Port charges
Includes port handling fees, loading and unloading fees, port storage fees, etc. Different port charges may vary, so choosing the right port is very important to control costs.

Insurance costs
In order to prevent damage or loss of goods during transportation, it is recommended to purchase transportation insurance for the goods. The insurance cost is usually a certain percentage of the total value of the goods.

The following are the typical cost ranges for shipping from major ports in China to Kenya:

Read below for container shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:

• Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Tanzania
• Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to South Africa
• Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Nigeria
• Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Turkey
• Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
• Shipping Costs for 20ft And 40ft Containers from China to UAE
• Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Saudi Arabia

Ways to Reduce Container Shipping Costs

There are several ways to reduce container shipping costs from China to Kenya

Book in Advance
Planning and booking in advance can help you lock in freight rates when market prices are low, especially before the peak shipping season. Booking in advance can also avoid freight rate increases and tight shipping space during peak periods.

Choose the right shipping company and route
Different shipping companies and routes will have different pricing. Compare quotes from multiple shipping companies and choose the most cost-effective service. Some companies offer lower prices but may require longer shipping times, and choosing on-demand can save costs.

Use standard containers
If the volume and weight of the cargo allow, try to choose a 40-foot high cabinet (40HQ) to increase loading capacity and reduce unit transportation costs.

Avoid peak seasons
Shipping costs usually increase during peak seasons (such as around holidays). Try to avoid these peak times and choose off-season shipping to effectively reduce freight costs. Peak seasons are usually concentrated around the Chinese New Year and the year-end holidays in the West.

Negotiate costs
If you have a large freight volume, you can try to negotiate discounts with logistics companies or freight forwarders. Some shipping companies and freight forwarders are willing to provide discounts for long-term customers.

Simplify packaging and optimize space utilization
Try to choose efficient packaging methods and optimize the placement of goods in the container.
Choosing light and strong packaging materials can effectively reduce the overall weight and save weight-based costs.

Use a customs clearance agent at the port of destination
Using a reliable customs clearance agent in Kenya can speed up customs clearance and avoid additional demurrage or storage fees due to customs clearance delays.

Calculation of Duty and Value Added Tax

Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) involve the collection of imports by the importing country. Tax policies may vary from country to country, and this is an important item in the cost expenditure. Here is how to calculate it to help you accurately estimate.

Duty

Kenya imposes tariffs on imported goods, and the tax rate varies depending on the category of goods. For the category of goods and tax rates, please refer to the Kenya Customs Tariff Code (HS Code).

Tariff calculation formula: Tariff = declared value × tariff rate

• Declared value: generally refers to the actual cost of the goods (CIF value), including the cost of goods, insurance and freight.
• Tariff rate: usually between 5% and 40%, depending on the type of goods. For example, different tax rates may apply to goods such as machinery and equipment, textiles and food

Value Added Tax

VAT rate: Kenya’s standard VAT rate is 14%, but some goods (such as food and medicine) may have lower rates or exemptions.

VAT = (declared value + tariff) × VAT rate

Customs Clearance Documents for Container Shipping from China to Kenya

During the process of shipping from China to Kenya, the following customs clearance documents are required:

• Commercial Invoice: Shows the description, quantity and total price of the goods.
• Packing List: Lists the details of each item in the container to help customs verify the goods.
• Bill of Lading: As a certificate of the transportation contract, it shows the basic information of the goods.
• Certificate of Origin: Proves the production source of the goods.
• Insurance Policy: If the goods are insured, an insurance policy is required to ensure the safety of the goods.
• Import License: For some special items, such as chemicals or specific foods, Kenya requires an import license.

The cost of container shipping from China to Kenya is affected by many factors. When choosing a 20-foot or 40-foot container, you can choose based on the volume, weight and characteristics of the goods. At the same time, understanding the calculation of tariffs and customs clearance document requirements, and accurately estimating the shipping costs will help ensure that the entire transportation process goes smoothly.