Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Kenya

The United States and Kenya’s trade relationship holds great potential. Despite their diverse economic landscapes, the two countries have fostered a relationship that bridges the Atlantic and brings forth a wealth of opportunity, development, and mutual benefit. 

In 2022, the U.S. exported $604 million worth of goods to Kenya, an 8.1% increase in exports from the year prior. 

If you need to ship goods from the United States to Kenya, here’s your complete guide to ocean and air freight shipping. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Kenya?

You can ship from the United States to Kenya via ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to Kenya

Ocean freight is the most popular way to ship goods from the United States to Kenya because it is affordable. Shippers also like it because it is flexible and can accommodate any type of cargo. In addition, ocean freight provides two modes of container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL). 

In LCL, goods are consolidated with shipments from other sellers, allowing one to minimize costs for small shipments. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, compared to FCL, where they would need to rent an entire container for their goods alone. 

LCL is best for small cargo, while FCL is ideal for shipping larger items or volumes. 

Air Freight from the United States to Kenya

Another way to ship goods from the United States to Kenya is air freight. This is the fastest international shipping mode but also the most expensive. Shippers of high-value goods also opt for air freight because it has stricter security protocols that ensure cargo safety. 

Air freight, however, cannot accommodate all types of cargo, unlike ocean freight. It has quite a list of restricted and prohibited goods, so check it out before opting for this international shipping mode. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Kenya?

The cost of shipping goods from the United States to Kenya will depend on a couple of factors, which include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipments
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to Kenya:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Kenya?

The transit time for goods shipped from United States to Kenya is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Kenya?

Ocean freight from the United States to Kenya will take approximately 15-50 days, depending on the season.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Kenya?

Air freight from the United States to Kenya will take around 2-8 working days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Kenya

Once your U.S. goods arrive in Kenya, they must be cleared by Kenyan customs authorities before a successful import. This is called the customs clearance process, for which you need to prepare and submit the following requirements: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

You can refer to our full documents list for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you must consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you choose wisely. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is ideal if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to get goods from the United States to Kenya. It is also quite flexible, allowing you to ship any type of cargo. If you opt for ocean freight, you must choose between LCL and FCL shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You might be better off choosing FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If your priority is to get your goods to Kenya as fast as possible, then you should choose air freight. It’s faster than ocean freight by a long shot but also significantly more expensive. It’s also a good idea to ship by air if transporting high-value goods. Air freight has stricter airport regulations that can ensure the security of your cargo. However, note that air freight may not be able to accommodate all types of goods. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Ports of South Carolina

The Ports of South Carolina comprise the sea terminals of Charleston and Georgetown. Collectively, they handle millions of TEUs per year. The South Carolina Ports Authority operates both. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is the premier seaport of Northern California. It boasts three container terminals and shipping channels that can accommodate vessels with a capacity of 18,000 TEUs. The port handles more than 2 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Baltimore

The Maryland Port Authority governs the Port of Baltimore. It boasts six maritime terminals and is particularly famous for its efficient operating procedures, especially for handling containerized goods, project cargo, and forest products. 

Cargo ports of arrival in Kenya

Port of Mombasa

The Port of Mombasa is managed by the Kenya Ports Authority, which the Kenyan government fully owns. It has a capacity of 2.65 million TEUs and is a gateway and exit point for cargo belonging to a vast hinterland. 

Air Freight from the United States to Kenya: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport handles a high volume of cargo traffic, specifically 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. It has over 50 cargo carriers and direct flights to over 60 countries. The airport is also equipped with major warehouses and logistical facilities. 

Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It’s also the fourth busiest cargo airport in the United States, handling over 2 million tonnes of cargo annually. Its facilities are used by the largest air freight companies worldwide. 

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the United States. Located in Alaska, it handles many shipments coming from Asia and is also a hub for domestic shipments in the United States. 

Airports of arrival in Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport serves Nairobi, Kenya's capital and largest city, and the Nairobi Metropolitan Region. It is a hub for Kenya Airways, Jambojet, African Express Airways, and others. 

Eldoret International Airport

The Eldoret International Airport is located 16 kilometers south of Eldoret Town on the Eldorey-Kisumu Road in Kenya. It is owned and operated by the Kenya Airports Authority and serves the area of Eldoret.

Kisumu International Airport

The Kisumu International Airport is located in Kisumu, Kenya’s third-largest city. It is also the country's third-busiest airport and Kenya's fourth international airport. The airport serves the Kisumu area.