Having been in the import business for slightly over a decade, I mostly get inquiries on how to import goods from China to Kenya.
Most Kenyans import goods from China through Alibaba, AliExpress, personal shoppers, shipping agents, or travel for in-person shopping. Import agents are also increasingly becoming popular with Kenyan traders.
Although the shipment of commodities from overseas seems straightforward, it requires extensive research since some of the methods are more hectic.
How do Kenyans import goods from China?
With more people requiring exotic products, more Kenyan traders have turned to China for business. However, due to competition, most new traders find it difficult to obtain accurate information from their more experienced rivals. Well, here you get detailed information on how to source goods from China;
1. Alibaba
How long does it take to import goods to Kenya through Alibaba? It takes between 3 days to 3 months to import goods to Kenya through Alibaba. The duration of the wait period depends on the shipping mode you choose, air cargo or sea freight.
Alibaba is where most Kenyan businessmen source their goods from. The competitive prices offered by Chinese sellers on the platform ensure that you reap large profits once your commodities enter the Kenyan market. The disadvantage of Alibaba though, is most sellers insist on large orders rather than retail.
Here are the guidelines on how to ship products from Alibaba to Kenya:
Before you begin the shipping process, ensure that on Alibaba, the supplier:
- Is verified by Alibaba
- Has positive reviews
- Has a fast response rate
Visa cards and Mastercard are the most preferred methods of payment on Alibaba. PayPal is another option although not recommended as Alibaba is less liable for this method of payment when disputes arise during shipping.
Request the supplier to ship the goods via EMS Kenya because it is fast and efficient. Avoid privately-owned shipping agents as they are expensive, and at times with hidden costs that exceed the value of the product.
2. AliExpress
How long does it take to receive goods through AliExpress? It takes AliExpress 3 to 7 days to ship goods to Kenya. AliExpress mostly ships goods via air, therefore it is faster.
How do you buy things from AliExpress to Kenya? You can import goods from AliExpress to Kenya through EMS, Speedaf, or shipping agents.
If you intend to import small quantities of goods either for resale or personal use, then AliExpress is the platform to use. Kenyan traders prefer AliExpress because:
- M-Pesa is one of the payment options.
- Free shipping – most suppliers on the site ship commodities for free.
- Small orders of goods are allowed hence making it favorable for market testing.
However, before making payment, confirm:
- If the seller ships goods to Kenya.
- How long the store has been on AliExpress. Avoid new vendors.
How to ship goods from AliExpress to Kenya;
- Direct shipping – Here is where the commodities get shipped directly to you without any middlemen. The most appropriate and cheapest shipping agent is EMS Kenya. With the shipping fee mostly catered for by the seller, you may pay only KES100 as the custom fee.
- Shipping Company – Freight forwarding companies act as the middlemen between you and the seller. Courier companies are the best alternative for new importers as they are less complicated.
3. Personal shoppers
Kenyan traders may sometimes rely on frequent travelers for imported goods from China. Although using individuals to bring merchandise from abroad might seem free, Customs Duty gets charged for imported products.
How do you choose a personal shopper for imports?
- Experienced at Customs Duty payment – Your personal shopper must have the ability to advise you on the taxes imposed on foreign products. Avoid products whose taxes surpass the value.
- Trustworthy – Pick someone reliable on bringing you the receipts that account for the importation process.
- Acquainted with major Chinese markets – Choose a personal shopper that knows places with competitive prices, the best market to buy particular commodities, and where to source almost all goods.
Enlistment of personal shoppers is the easiest method of importing merchandise from China to Kenya.
4. Shipping agents
The best shipping Agencies in Kenya are Rolling Cargo Limited, African Salihiya Cargo & Clearing, Afrisali Air Cargo, Salihiya Cargo & Shipping Agency, and Nurex Cargo and Clearing.
Most Kenyan China-based shipping agents source products at the request of Kenyan businessmen and ship the merchandise to Kenya. Agents are an awesome alternative to those importing products for the first time as you transact face-to-face. You get advice from them on merchandise best suited for the Kenyan market.
Here are the best Kenyan shipping agencies for shipping goods from China to Kenya:
- Rolling Cargo Limited
- African Salihiya Cargo & Clearing
- Afrisali Air Cargo (Llc)
- Salihiya Cargo & Shipping Agency
- Nurex Cargo and Clearing
- Shardi Shipping
While choosing a shipping agent, use Google Reviews to ensure you settle on the best.
5. Travel for in-person shopping
Selection of goods in-person and ferrying them to Kenya gets you the value of your money as you save the cost of dealing with middlemen. You get to choose stock according to the needs of your customer. Once you have shopped in China, you can either decide to:
- Ship your cargo through a shipping agent.
- Travel back to Kenya with your goods as luggage.
However, this method of importing goods has limitations mostly in costs. You incur:
- Travel costs.
- Tour guide fees – Once in China, you have to hire a tour guide to show you around the markets and hotel.
- Customs Duty – You must pay taxes for your merchandise once you travel back to Kenya with them.
How long does it take to ship goods from China to Kenya?
The duration of the shipment of goods between China and Kenya is dependent on whether it is by sea or air. It takes 5 to 7 days to ship goods from China to Kenya. Sea shipment is slower and takes 30 to 45 days for goods to arrive in Kenya from China.
- Air cargo
Goods delivered via air are less bulky as the weight determines the price. Air cargo delivers goods to Kenya from China between 5 and 7 days. Although it is the fastest way to ship commodities from China, it is more expensive than shipping goods by sea.
- Sea freight
Bulky cargo gets transported by sea and takes approximately 30 to 45 days to reach Kenya from China. However, the duration varies depending on:
a) Holidays – For example, during the Chinese New Year festival most businesses including shipping companies are at a standstill as workers travel for the holiday. During the Christmas period in Kenya, most Customs clearance officers are on holiday.
b) How long it takes the shipping agency to fill the container. To get the total value of their money, shipping agents must have enough merchandise in the container. Cargo is imported only when the container is full and profitable to the shipping agent.
c) How long Customs clearance takes.
How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Kenya?
Shipping a 20-foot container to Kenya might cost approximately $400-$550 per cubic meter. However, there are other charges you may incur such as customs clearance fees, demurrage charges, storage fee, and inspection fee (in case KEBS randomly picks the container for inspection).
The shipping cost of a container mostly relies on the size of the cargo. Various commodities have different shipping costs. For example, shipping personal effects are cheaper than household goods.
There are two shipping agreements the buyer should decide on before shipping a container to Kenya:
- Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF)
CIF states that the seller is responsible for liabilities/costs until the buyer receives the products.
- Free on Board (FOB)
FOB means that once the goods are shipped, the buyer is responsible for the liabilities and costs.
Although the CIF shipping agreement is more costly, it remains the best for shipping containers from China into Kenya. CIF is especially favorable for new importers because the importation process is less complicated than FOB.
Before shipping a container, one should consult an experienced shipping agent to guide them through the process.
What are the best products to import from China to Kenya?
The best products to import from China to Kenya are electronics, phone accessories, LED lights, office equipment, hair products and cosmetics, clothing, home décor, and plumping tools. Motorcycle spare parts are one of the most profitable products Kenyans import from China. However, besides profit, other factors determine the best products to import to Kenya.
The best products to import mostly depend on the profitability and availability in the Kenyan market. Nonetheless, these other factors should be considered before importation:
- Uniqueness
How distinct is the product in the Kenyan market? Unique products are worth the importation but common products are better bought locally.
- Cost
Compare the cost of wholesalers locally to the whole importation cost. Is it worth it?
- Prohibited goods
Some goods are prohibited for import into Kenya therefore, to avoid losses, thorough research should be conducted.
- Size of clothing varies
Clothes size varies in different geographical regions. Chinese clothing labeled as large-size may be smaller in the African market, and vice-versa. For clothing, a knowledgeable contact on the ground is essential.
Conclusion
Alibaba and AliExpress make it easier to shop for Chinese commodities in Kenya. Shipping agents import goods from China to Kenya, therefore, making the importation process easier. Before you decide on sourcing products from China, consider the cost, profitability, time spent waiting, and the reputation of the shipping company. Most Kenyans import products from China, and you can too.
Let us know, what do you import from China?