Freight to Kenya from the UK
Kenya is East Africa's logistics hub and our gateway to the region. We ship air freight to Nairobi via JKIA and sea freight to Mombasa's Kilindini Harbour every week. From Mombasa, we arrange onward trucking to Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and the DRC. We handle PVoC certification, KRA customs procedures and inland delivery across Kenya.
Air Transit
1-3 days
Heathrow to Nairobi
Sea Transit
25-30 days
UK to Mombasa
Departures
Weekly
Air & sea consolidations
East Africa Gateway
5 countries
Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, S. Sudan, DRC
Our Services
How We Ship to Kenya
Air Freight
Direct flights from Heathrow to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi. Kenya Airways and British Airways operate daily services with good bellyhold cargo capacity. We also use Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa for competitive rates when timing allows.
- 1-3 day transit to Nairobi
- Daily direct flights from Heathrow
- Express and consolidation options
- Temperature-controlled for pharma
Sea Freight
FCL and LCL services from Felixstowe and Southampton to Kilindini Harbour, Mombasa. Direct sailings take 25-30 days. Mombasa is East Africa's busiest port, handling cargo for Kenya and five landlocked neighbouring countries. The Standard Gauge Railway connects Mombasa to Nairobi ICD in under 12 hours.
- 25-30 day direct transit to Mombasa
- FCL and LCL weekly departures
- SGR rail to Nairobi ICD available
- Vehicle and plant RoRo services
East Africa Onward Trucking
Mombasa is the gateway port for five landlocked East African countries. We arrange onward trucking via the Northern Corridor to Kampala, Kigali and Juba, and via the Central Corridor for goods heading to western Tanzania and Burundi. GPS-tracked vehicles and customs transit bonds throughout.
- Kampala, Uganda: 2-3 days from Mombasa
- Kigali, Rwanda: 4-5 days from Mombasa
- Juba, South Sudan: 4-5 days
- Transit bond and EAC customs handled
Compliance
Customs & Documentation for Kenya
Kenya requires a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate for most imported manufactured goods. Administered by KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards), PVoC involves inspection and testing of your goods before shipment. Without a valid Certificate of Conformity, your cargo will face destination inspection -- adding cost and delay.
We coordinate PVoC inspections at origin through accredited bodies, manage the certification timeline to match your shipping schedule and ensure all documentation reaches Mombasa or JKIA before your cargo. For food products, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) phytosanitary requirements apply.
Kenya operates the iCMS (Integrated Customs Management System) for electronic customs declarations. Our Mombasa agents are fully integrated and process clearances daily. For Nairobi-bound containers, the SGR rail option with clearance at the Nairobi ICD can save both time and money compared to road haulage.
Key Documentation
PVoC Certificate of Conformity
Pre-shipment inspection for manufactured goods
Import Declaration Form (IDF)
Filed via KRA's iCMS system before arrival
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Standard documentation for all shipments
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Transport document for customs release
Certificate of Origin
Required for EAC preferential duty rates
KEPHIS Phytosanitary Certificate
For plant products, seeds, timber
Pharmacy & Poisons Board Permit
For pharmaceuticals and medical devices
KRA Pin Certificate (Importer)
Your Kenyan consignee must hold a valid KRA PIN
What We Ship
Common Cargo Types to Kenya
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Supplies
Temperature-controlled shipments of medicines, vaccines, diagnostic equipment and hospital supplies. Kenya is East Africa's healthcare hub with strict Pharmacy and Poisons Board requirements.
Tea, Coffee & Agricultural Equipment
Processing machinery, packaging equipment and agricultural inputs for Kenya's tea and coffee sectors. We also handle flower farm logistics for the cut flower export trade.
Consumer Goods & Electronics
Mobile phones, household appliances, textiles and general merchandise. Kenya's growing middle class drives steady demand for UK consumer products.
Vehicles & Machinery
Cars, trucks, plant equipment and spare parts. Mombasa is the main vehicle import port for East Africa. We handle KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority) customs valuation and vehicle inspection.
Construction Materials
Steel, cement additives, roofing, specialist fittings and building supplies for Nairobi's construction sector and infrastructure projects across East Africa.
NGO & Humanitarian Cargo
Relief supplies, development project equipment and NGO cargo. Nairobi is the UN's Africa hub -- we handle duty-exempt shipments and coordinate with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
FAQ
Kenya Freight FAQs
How long does shipping to Kenya take from the UK?
Air freight from Heathrow to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi takes 1-3 days. Direct flights with Kenya Airways and British Airways run daily. Sea freight from the UK to Kilindini Harbour in Mombasa takes 25-30 days on direct services. Customs clearance at Mombasa typically takes 3-5 working days with correct documentation. Add 1-2 days for onward road transport to Nairobi.
What is PVoC and do I need it to ship to Kenya?
PVoC stands for Pre-Export Verification of Conformity. Kenya requires most imported manufactured goods to be inspected and certified before shipment. An accredited inspection body examines your goods at origin, tests samples if needed and issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Without it, your cargo will be held at Mombasa or JKIA until testing is completed in Kenya -- which is slower and more expensive. We coordinate PVoC inspections in the UK and manage the certification process.
How much does freight to Kenya cost?
Air freight to Nairobi starts from around GBP 3-6 per kilo for consolidated shipments. Express services are higher. Sea freight for a 20ft container from UK to Mombasa starts from approximately GBP 2,000-3,000 depending on the carrier and season. LCL rates start from roughly GBP 90-130 per cubic metre. Costs vary with fuel surcharges, carrier availability and season. We provide firm quotes based on your cargo details.
Can you deliver from Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania?
Yes. Mombasa is the primary import gateway for the entire East African Community. We arrange onward road freight from Mombasa to Kampala (Uganda, 2-3 days), Kigali (Rwanda, 4-5 days), Bujumbura (Burundi, 5-6 days) and Juba (South Sudan, 4-5 days). For Tanzania, we can also route via Dar es Salaam. Our East African trucking network covers the Northern Corridor and Central Corridor routes.
Do you handle customs clearance at Mombasa port?
Yes. Our clearing agents at Kilindini Harbour handle all Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs procedures, duty assessment, IDF (Import Declaration Form) registration and cargo release. We also handle clearance at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) if your container is railed from Mombasa to Nairobi via the Standard Gauge Railway -- which can be faster and cheaper than road for Nairobi-bound cargo.
Ready to ship to Kenya?
Get a quote for air or sea freight to Nairobi, Mombasa or anywhere in East Africa. We typically respond within two hours.