Imported furniture, kitchenware and decor sell well in Kenyan homes, offices and hotels, and the range from overseas suppliers is vast. But furniture is bulky, so freight is a large share of the cost, and it is fragile, so damage is a constant risk. A shipment that looks cheap at the factory can be expensive by the time it is on your showroom floor. Careful costing and packing make the difference. Check current duty rates and rules before ordering.

Start with the full landed cost

For bulky goods, the unit price tells you little. Freight charged by volume, duty, VAT, clearing, port charges and transport to your store can double the cost. Work out the landed cost per piece before you commit, using the landed cost calculator and the import duty calculator. Working out your profit on imported goods after all costs shows how to price from it.

Classification and duty

Furniture and household goods fall under various customs codes depending on material, use and construction. A wooden chair, a metal frame sofa and a plastic storage unit may be classified differently, with different duty. Be precise in descriptions on the invoice and packing list. HS codes and customs classification explained explains how classification works. Value must be declared truthfully; customs valuation explained shows how customs checks it.

Choose the right shipping mode

Sea freight suits furniture, usually in a full container or a shared load. Volume drives the cost, so plan how much fits. Flat-packed furniture saves space but needs reliable assembly instructions and hardware. How to plan container loading and reduce freight cost explains how to use space well and air freight vs sea freight compares options.

Packing and damage

Insist on strong packaging with corner protection, wrapped glass and fixed hardware, and photograph the goods before they ship. On arrival, inspect before you sign, note damage on the delivery documents and photograph it. Insure the cargo, since breakage is common; marine cargo insurance for importers explained describes what is covered. Ask the supplier about replacements for damaged items.

Materials and standards

Check materials and finishes. Some products, such as treated timber, foam, upholstery and children's furniture, can be subject to standards, labelling or restrictions. Ask for certificates where relevant. KEBS, PVoC and import standards explained and prohibited and restricted imports into Kenya tell you what to check. Wood products may need phytosanitary documents.

Vet the supplier

Furniture suppliers vary hugely in quality. Order samples, check reviews and visit if you can. Confirm lead times, since production delays are common. Use the checks in how to vet an overseas supplier before you pay and pay in safe stages, as in paying overseas suppliers safely.

Storage and handling

Furniture takes room. Plan where it will be stored, and avoid delays at the port that add storage charges; see storage charges and demurrage. Arrange transport and offloading in advance. Keep stock in dry, safe premises, and insure it.

Pricing and selling

Price to cover the landed cost, storage, delivery, assembly, overheads and your margin, and check competitors. Offer delivery and assembly as services. If you sell online, photograph accurately and describe sizes clearly; read importing for an online shop: from order to customer. Decide your returns policy; the sales return and refund tracker records them.

Taxes and registration

If your sales pass the VAT threshold you must register; check with the VAT registration checker and see importing goods for resale: VAT and records. Keep records of every shipment in the import duty and landed cost workbook. With accurate costing, solid packing and a trustworthy supplier, imported furniture can be a profitable line.

Questions to ask before you order

Ask the supplier for the dimensions and weight of each carton, the number of pieces per container, the lead time, the warranty for defects, whether spare parts are available and what happens if goods arrive damaged. Ask for photographs of the packing. Work out the cost per piece landed in Nairobi or Mombasa before you pay a deposit. A few minutes with a calculator and a clear list of questions can save a shipment that would otherwise lose money.

Always keep photographs of the goods as they leave the factory and as they arrive. If a dispute with the supplier, the carrier or the insurer arises, dated images are the quickest way to show what condition the furniture was in and who is responsible.