UK ⇄ KE · FCL · 28–40 days
Shipping a container to Kenya from the UK.
We move full containers from the UK to Mombasa, Kenya's main deep-water port and the East African gateway. Commercial goods, machinery, vehicle parts and personal effects shipped door to door, with inland haulage to Nairobi and beyond arranged through our trusted partners.
Who ships this route
What we carry to Kenya
The UK–Kenya lane serves a broad mix of commercial exporters and private shippers. UK businesses exporting manufactured goods, industrial equipment, technology products and consumer goods form a strong part of the trade, alongside individuals and families sending full containers of household goods and personal effects.
We ship full containers only, a 20ft or 40ft FCL to yourself, into Mombasa, which serves as the gateway for the whole East African region. Cargo destined for Nairobi continues inland by road or rail; we co-ordinate that haulage through our Kenyan partners and quote it as part of the door-to-door price.
Full container load · 20ft · 40ft
Container options for Kenya
Your own box
A 20ft or 40ft container to yourself. Best for larger loads, machinery or when you want the security and simplicity of sole use. You pay for the whole container regardless of how full it is, so FCL works best when you're shipping enough to fill most of it.
One quote, one contact
We arrange UK collection, export documentation, the ocean sailing, Kenyan import customs and, where needed, inland haulage to Nairobi, all through our trusted partners. One accountable operator from your UK door to the Kenyan delivery address.
Relocating to Kenya or sending household goods? We ship full-container household moves door to door and can advise on packing, inventory requirements and the used personal-effects documentation needed for Kenyan customs.
Felixstowe / Southampton → Mombasa → Nairobi
Ports and transit
UK ports: Felixstowe and Southampton, with collection arranged from anywhere in the UK.
Kenyan port: Mombasa is Kenya's principal container port and the main entry point for East Africa. For cargo destined for Nairobi, approximately 500 km inland, we co-ordinate road or rail haulage through our trusted Kenyan partners. Transit time to Nairobi adds a few days on top of the sea leg.
TRANSIT · TYPICALLY 28–40 DAYS PORT TO PORT · MOMBASA GATEWAY
Export declarations · Import clearance
Customs for Kenya
Shipping to Kenya involves a UK export declaration on departure and full Kenyan import customs at Mombasa, administered by the Kenya Revenue Authority. Documentation requirements include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import declaration and, where applicable, pre-shipment inspection certificates.
We handle UK export clearance and work with trusted Kenyan customs brokers for the import side. All paperwork is prepared before the cargo ships, not scrambled together at the port, so your container clears smoothly and moves on to its final destination. How our customs clearance works.
We keep one file across the whole shipment, so nothing slips between two brokers at opposite ends.
Straight answers
UK–Kenya shipping questions
How long does sea freight from the UK to Kenya take?
Typically 28–40 days port to port from Felixstowe or Southampton to Mombasa. Add time each side for collection, export clearance and final delivery, including any inland haulage to Nairobi or other inland destinations. We'll confirm exact timings with your quote.
Should I ship a 20ft or 40ft container to Kenya?
A 20ft container holds about 28 CBM and suits smaller commercial loads; a 40ft holds about 58 CBM for larger volumes or a full household move. Tell us your cargo's weight and dimensions and we'll advise the right full container size and give you an all-in FCL quote.
Do you handle Kenyan import customs?
Yes. UK export clearance and Kenyan import clearance (import duty and applicable taxes) are arranged through our trusted partners at the Kenyan end. We prepare the UK-side documentation before the cargo ships so it moves smoothly through Mombasa.
24h turnaround · No obligation
Shipping to Kenya?
Tell us what you're sending, the UK origin and the Kenyan destination, whether that's Mombasa port or an address in Nairobi. We'll come back with a tailored FCL quote within 24 hours on working days.
Already hold a quote from another forwarder? Send us this route and we’ll give you ours to compare.
Related: Africa shipping routes · Shipping to South Africa · Container shipping from the UK · Customs clearance