SGR cargo rates for 2026 are set by Kenya Railways’ Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026, which applies to all freight booked from 1 June 2026. Moving a loaded 20 ft import container on the Standard Gauge Railway from Kilindini (Mombasa) to Nairobi or Athi River costs USD 550, and a 40 ft container costs USD 630. To Naivasha, the rates are USD 600 and USD 700.
All figures are from the Kenya Railways freight tariff book, checked on 10 November 2026. Rates exclude handling and VAT. Ask Kenya Railways for a written quote before you book.
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SGR cargo rates for containers
These rates cover import, transit and loaded containers moving inland (the “up” direction) from the port. Naivasha–Malaba and Naivasha–Kisumu are on the older metre gauge railway (MGR), which links the SGR’s Naivasha terminus to the Uganda border and Lake Victoria.
| 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.
A container bound for Uganda by rail through Naivasha pays the SGR leg to Naivasha (USD 600 for 20 ft) plus the MGR leg to Malaba (USD 465 for 20 ft), a total of USD 1,065 for a 20 ft box in rail freight alone, before handling, clearing and border costs.
Export and down-direction container rates
Containers moving towards the coast are charged less. Nairobi or Athi River to Mombasa costs USD 250 for a 20 ft and USD 350 for a 40 ft container.
| Route | 20 ft | 40 ft | 20 ft (second rate) | 40 ft (second rate) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naivasha – Mombasa | $255 | $360 | $50 | $75 | SGR |
| Naivasha – Nairobi | $100 | $150 | $50 | $75 | SGR |
| Nairobi – Mombasa | $250 | $350 | $50 | $75 | SGR |
| Athi River – Mombasa | $250 | $350 | $50 | $75 | SGR |
| Malaba – Naivasha | $200 | $350 | $50 | $75 | MGR |
The tariff book shows two rate pairs for each down route; the sub-labels for the two pairs are not legible in the published PDF. Ask Kenya Railways which applies to your container.
Routes not listed: SGR USD 0.57 per TEU-km (20 ft loaded) and 0.58 (40 ft loaded); MGR USD 0.51 and 0.48.
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
Refrigerated containers
Reefer rates apply when Kenya Railways supplies the plug-in genset. Without plug-in, or with a privately supplied genset, there is a 20% surcharge.
| Route | Type | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mombasa → Nairobi | Import (loaded) | $1,000 |
| Mombasa → Naivasha | Import (loaded) | $1,100 |
| Nairobi → Mombasa | Export (loaded) | $650 |
| Naivasha → Mombasa | Export (loaded) | $715 |
| Mombasa → Nairobi / Naivasha | Empty reefer (repositioning) | $300, only if the export-trip freight is prepaid |
Rates apply where Kenya Railways' plug-in genset is used. Without plug-in, or with a private genset, a 20% surcharge applies.
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
Conventional and bulk cargo
Loose cargo such as bagged goods, steel and other non-containerised freight is charged per tonne. Transit cargo is priced in US dollars and local cargo in shillings.
| Route | Rate | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Mombasa – Naivasha | $27 | SGR |
| Naivasha – Malaba | $24 | MGR |
| Naivasha – Kisumu | $24 | MGR |
| Mombasa – Kisumu | $53 | MGR |
| Mombasa – Malaba | $53 | MGR |
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
| Route | Rate | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Mombasa – Naivasha | KSh 3,350 | SGR |
| Mombasa – Nairobi | KSh 2,735 | SGR |
| Mombasa – Athi River | KSh 2,735 | SGR |
| Kilindini – Bungoma | KSh 5,720 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Butere | KSh 5,515 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Kitale | KSh 5,510 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Kisumu | KSh 5,135 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Eldoret | KSh 5,055 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Nanyuki | KSh 4,205 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Nakuru | KSh 3,935 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Sagana | KSh 3,625 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Thika | KSh 3,220 | MGR |
| Kilindini – Nairobi | KSh 2,930 | MGR |
Routes not listed: KSh 6.64 per tonne-km on SGR and KSh 5.53 on MGR. MGR domestic conventional cargo moving down: KSh 2.77 per tonne-km, excluding VAT.
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
On the Mombasa–Nairobi corridor, the SGR rate for local conventional cargo (KSh 2,735 a tonne) is lower than the metre gauge rate from Kilindini to Nairobi (KSh 2,930). Local steel has its own table in the tariff book, with Mombasa–Nairobi on the SGR also at KSh 2,735 a tonne.
Petroleum and Lake Victoria services
| Route | PMS | AGO | Lubricants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa – Nairobi | 4,025 | 3,725 | 3,725 |
| Mombasa – Nanyuki | 5,290 | 5,140 | 4,890 |
| Mombasa – Kisumu | 5,290 | 5,140 | 5,290 |
Source: Kenya Railways Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 (freight rates), effective 1 Jun 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026.
| 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.
Demurrage and other conditions
- Rates exclude handling costs; VAT is charged at the applicable rate.
- Minimum chargeable rail distance: 200 km.
- Free time: 24 hours to load local cargo, 48 hours to load transit cargo, and 24 hours to unload.
- Wagon demurrage after the free period, per wagon: USD 100 for the first 24 hours, USD 150 per 24 hours on days 2 to 4, USD 200 per 24 hours on days 5 to 10, then rising 10% every week.
- Vehicles between Mombasa and Nairobi: KSh 100,000 per wagon, excluding VAT.
- Kenya Railways Transit Shed: 14 days' free storage, then USD 40 (20 ft) or USD 60 (40 ft) per container per day; handling USD 25 (20 ft) or USD 30 (40 ft), excluding VAT.
A wagon held for ten days after its free time runs up USD 1,750 in demurrage. Plan collection before the train arrives, especially at the inland container depots in Nairobi and Naivasha.
How to book SGR freight
Kenya Railways lists its freight marketing contacts in the tariff book: 0709 907 000, 0709 907 555 and marketing@krc.co.ke. Many importers book through a clearing and forwarding agent, who also handles customs at the inland container depot. Our guide on how clearing agents charge at Mombasa port explains those fees, and the SGR vehicle freight service story covers moving cars by rail.
See also: CMA CGM’s SGR rail freight service, shipping from China to Kenya and the logistics and trade hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transport a container on the SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi?
Kenya Railways charges USD 550 for a loaded 20 ft import container and USD 630 for a 40 ft container from Kilindini to Nairobi, under the tariff in force from 1 June 2026. Handling and VAT are extra.
What are the SGR cargo rates to Naivasha?
USD 600 for a 20 ft and USD 700 for a 40 ft loaded container from Kilindini to Naivasha.
Are SGR cargo rates charged in dollars or shillings?
Container and transit rates are in US dollars. Local conventional cargo, petroleum and some other local traffic are in Kenya shillings.
When did the 2026 SGR cargo rates start?
Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026 applies to traffic booked on or after 1 June 2026. It supersedes Tariff Notice No. 3 of 2021 where the two differ.
