Kenyan Importers Face New Maersk Shipping Charges of Up to KSh258,800 From November 9

Kenyan businesses importing goods from China and Hong Kong are set to face higher shipping costs from November 9, 2026, after global shipping company Maersk announced new peak-season surcharges on containers destined for Kenya and Tanzania.

The revised charges could increase the cost of importing merchandise, machinery, electronics and other products, adding pressure on traders who depend on Chinese suppliers.

In a notice issued on Monday, October 26, Maersk announced that the new Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) rates would apply to shipments from China and Hong Kong to the two East African countries. The charges will remain in effect until further notice.

Under the revised rates, importers shipping goods to Kenya will pay an additional $1,000 (approximately KSh129,400) for a 20-foot container.

Those transporting goods in 40-foot and 45-foot containers will face a surcharge of $2,000 (approximately KSh258,800) per container.

The charges are additional shipping fees rather than the total cost of transporting goods. Importers may therefore have to pay other applicable expenses, including local handling fees and contingency charges.

For shipments destined for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Maersk has set the surcharge at $1,200 (approximately KSh155,280) for 20-foot containers.

Importers using 40-foot and 45-foot containers to Tanzania will pay $2,000 (approximately KSh258,800) per container.

Maersk stated that the additional charges would generally be collected at the shipment’s point of origin, unless the importer and shipping agent had agreed on a different payment arrangement.

The company also outlined how it would determine the applicable rates for different bookings.

For customers operating under regular shipping contracts, the relevant surcharge will depend on the vessel’s scheduled departure date for the first sea journey when the booking is confirmed.

For spot bookings, the applicable rate will be determined by the booking confirmation date or the vessel’s scheduled departure date, according to the company’s notice.

The distinction means importers and clearing agents need to establish which rate applies to their particular shipment before finalising their shipping arrangements.

The latest adjustment follows a similar increase introduced in June 2026, when Maersk announced peak-season surcharges for shipments from China and Hong Kong to Kenya.

At the time, the charges were $1,000 for 20-foot containers and $2,000 for larger containers. The latest announcement maintains those surcharge amounts for Kenya while setting out revised charges for shipments destined for Tanzania.

The additional costs could affect businesses that import manufactured goods, electrical equipment, machinery and consumer products from China. Depending on their margins and other expenses, some traders may pass part of the increased shipping costs on to customers.

However, the actual effect on retail prices will depend on the products involved, the quantity imported, other logistics expenses and how individual businesses manage their costs.

China remains Kenya’s largest source of imports, making shipping costs between the two countries an important consideration for local businesses.

Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) show that bilateral trade between Kenya and China reached KSh688.1 billion in 2025.

Kenya imported goods worth KSh671.2 billion from China, while its exports to the Asian country amounted to KSh16.9 billion. This resulted in a trade deficit of KSh654.3 billion.

Imports from China increased by 16.5% compared with 2024, while Kenyan exports to China declined, according to the figures cited in the original report.

China’s position in Kenya’s import market remained significant in 2026. KNBS data showed that Kenya imported goods worth KSh83.3 billion from China in August alone.

The amount accounted for 29.2% of Kenya’s total imports during the month, highlighting the country’s reliance on Chinese goods.

With the new Maersk surcharges scheduled to take effect on November 9, importers will need to factor the additional fees into their shipping budgets and assess how the changes affect their overall costs.

Businesses should confirm the applicable rates with Maersk or their shipping agents before booking, particularly because the surcharges are separate from other shipping and handling expenses.

Jeremy's feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com