Business Radar’s logistics and trade hub covers how goods move into, out of and across Kenya: the port of Mombasa, the Standard Gauge Railway, inland container depots, clearing agents and trade with the East African Community. Every rate and rule comes from the body that sets it, such as Kenya Railways, the Kenya Ports Authority or KRA.
Updated 10 November 2026.
Contents
SGR and rail freight
Kenya Railways’ Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 sets rail freight rates for traffic booked from 1 June 2026. A loaded 20 ft import container from Kilindini to Nairobi costs USD 550 and a 40 ft USD 630:
| Route | 20 ft | 40 ft | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilindini – Naivasha | $600 | $700 | SGR |
| Kilindini – Nairobi | $550 | $630 | SGR |
| Kilindini – Athi River | $550 | $630 | SGR |
| Naivasha – Malaba | $465 | $650 | MGR |
| Naivasha – Kisumu | $465 | $650 | MGR |
Dangerous goods in containers: 20% above normal container rates.
A 20 ft container loaded singly on a wagon is charged the 40 ft rate.
Empty containers moving up are charged the full container load rate for the route.
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
Our SGR cargo rates page has every table: export containers, refrigerated containers, bulk cargo, petroleum, Lake Victoria marine services and demurrage. See also CMA CGM’s SGR freight service, the SGR vehicle freight service and the Old Mombasa Road works near the Nairobi ICD.
Mombasa port
The Kenya Ports Authority publishes a daily shipping movement report showing ships at berth, ships waiting and the day’s planned movements. Our guide explains how to read the Mombasa port vessel schedule.
- KPA’s Mombasa and Lamu port concession tenders
- KPA’s KSh 79bn co-investment plan
- The Moyale dry port and Lake Turkana ferry
Clearing and importing
- How clearing agents charge at Mombasa port
- How to get a clearing and forwarding licence
- The import declaration form
- Shipping from China to Kenya and the import duty calculator
- Digital marine cargo insurance for imports
- KRA consolidated cargo rules
EAC and regional trade
Small traders crossing into Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and other EAC states can use the Simplified Trade Regime. For cargo going on to Uganda by rail, the SGR runs to Naivasha and the metre gauge line continues to Malaba and Kisumu; Kenya Railways also runs Lake Victoria services from Kisumu to Port Bell, Jinja and Mwanza:
| Route | USD per TEU | USD per tonne |
|---|---|---|
| Kisumu – Port Bell | $400 | $20 |
| Kisumu – Jinja | $400 | $18 |
| Port Bell – Kisumu | $400 | $20 |
| Jinja – Kisumu | $400 | $18 |
| Kisumu – Mwanza | $425 | $21 |
| Mwanza – Kisumu | $400 | $21 |
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
How we build the logistics pages
Logistics costs in Kenya are spread across many official documents: Kenya Railways’ tariff book, KPA’s port notices and reports, KRA’s customs rules and the EAC’s trade regimes. We read the original document, copy the figures exactly, show the date we checked it and link to it, so you can confirm a rate before you rely on it. We do not use rates quoted by third parties.
When a body issues a new tariff or rule, we update the page and note the effective date. Logistics firms, shipping lines and clearing agents can tell us about a change at info@businessradar.co.ke; we add it once we can see it in the official source.
Frequently asked questions
How much is SGR freight from Mombasa to Nairobi?
USD 550 for a loaded 20 ft import container and USD 630 for a 40 ft, under Kenya Railways’ tariff from 1 June 2026, excluding handling and VAT.
Where can I see ships at Mombasa port?
KPA’s Shipping Movement page on kpa.co.ke posts the daily report. Our vessel schedule guide explains how to read it.
Can logistics companies advertise on Business Radar?
Yes, through labelled sponsored content. Rates and rules on our pages come only from official sources and are never sponsored.
