CORRIDOR GUIDE · CHINA → KENYA · CHECKED 6 OCTOBER 2026
Importing machinery from China to Kenya
China supplied 858 of the 1,300 excavators Kenya imported in 2023 (66%). The fastest sea leg is 20–28 days from Shanghai. At the border, machinery pays 0% import duty and 20.5% in VAT and levies on the customs value.
Sea routes from China
| From | To | Sea days | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qingdao | Mombasa | 30–35 | sinalda.com |
| Shanghai | Mombasa | 20–28 | sino-shipping.com |
Transshipment through Singapore, Port Klang or Colombo adds 5–10 days.
What sea freight costs
Published prices from forwarders' rate lists — benchmarks, not a quote.
| FROM CHINA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Qingdao · 40ft standard container (ocean freight + BAF) | $5,100–$6,300 | Aug 2026 · dantful.com |
| Shanghai · 40ft standard container (ocean freight + BAF) | $4,140–$5,060 | Oct 2026 · sino-shipping.com |
| ANY LANE, BY MACHINE SIZE | ||
| RoRo · small excavator, 8–15 t | $3,000–$5,000 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
| RoRo · mid-size excavator, 20–30 t | $4,000–$8,000 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
| RoRo · large excavator, 35–50 t | $8,000–$18,000 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
| Flat rack · small excavator, 8–15 t | $5,500–$8,500 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
| Flat rack · mid-size excavator, 20–30 t | $8,000–$12,000 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
| Flat rack · large excavator, 35–50 t | $15,000–$25,000 | Jul 2026 · yiqihangmachinery.com |
Taxes when it lands in Kenya
- Import duty · 0%
- $0
- VAT · 16%
- $16,000
- Import declaration fee · 2.5%
- $2,500
- Railway development levy · 2%
- $2,000
- Total on a $100,000 customs value
- $20,500
Before it leaves China: KEBS pre-export verification (PVoC): the machine is inspected before loading and a certificate of conformity issued. Used construction machinery must be no more than 20 years from manufacture, with service records showing it is serviceable.
Lane guides by machine
Hydraulic Excavators
Wheel Loaders
Track-Type Bulldozers
Motor Graders
Import figures: IndexBox, Kenya excavator imports 2023. Tax sources are listed in the Kenya guide.