Importing from China is a popular way for Kenyan traders to find lower prices, but the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest import. Quality problems, shipping delays, scams and the taxes at the border can turn a bargain into a loss. These checks reduce the risk.

Vet the supplier

  • Check the business, not just the website: registration, address, years in trade and references from other buyers.
  • Ask for a video call and a visit to the factory or warehouse, in person or through a verified inspector.
  • Compare several quotes for the same specification.
  • Be wary of prices far below the others, and of suppliers who press you to pay quickly.

Order a sample first

Order a sample or a small first batch and test it. For regulated goods, check that it can meet Kenyan standards before you order the full quantity; some goods need a certificate of conformity or a permit; see the import documents checklist.

Pay safely

  • Use payment methods that protect you, such as escrow or a trade assurance service on a trusted platform, for new suppliers.
  • Avoid paying the whole amount to a personal account.
  • Agree a deposit and a balance on shipment, and keep the contract, invoices and chat records.
  • Make sure the invoice matches the goods and the price; it also forms the basis of your customs value, so it should be accurate; see customs valuation explained.

Choose how to ship

Air freight is fast and suits small, valuable or urgent goods but costs more per kilogram. Sea freight is slower and suits bulky goods, often at a fraction of the cost, in a full container or as part of a shared one. Choose terms carefully; see Incoterms explained for importers. A freight forwarder in China can consolidate several suppliers' goods into one shipment.

Work out the real cost

The unit price is only the start. Add:

  • Freight and insurance to Kenya
  • Import duty at the rate for your product's HS code; see the EAC common external tariff explained
  • Import Declaration Fee and the Railway Development Levy; see IDF and RDL explained
  • VAT at 16%, recoverable only if you are VAT-registered
  • Clearing, port charges and local transport

Run the numbers in the import duty calculator and the landed cost calculator, or the import duty and landed cost workbook for several items. Then price the goods; see how to price your products and services.

Watch for common problems

  1. Goods that differ from the sample. Ask for pre-shipment inspection.
  2. Counterfeit or restricted goods, which can be seized.
  3. Delays, which affect your cash flow and your customers.
  4. Currency changes between the order and the payment.

Keep the records

Keep the contract, invoices, proof of payment, shipping documents and the customs entry. They support your input VAT claim and your accounts; see importing goods for resale: VAT and records.

Customs and standards rules change. Confirm them with KRA, the standards body and a licensed clearing agent.