- Importers are preparing for revised shipping charges on cargo arriving from key Asian markets.
- The new rates vary by container size and destination, with different charges for Kenya and Tanzania.
- Payment terms will depend on booking arrangements and the scheduled departure of vessels.
Kenyan importers shipping goods from China and Hong Kong will face higher costs from November 9, 2026, with surcharges of Ksh129,400 to Ksh258,800 per container, after shipping line Maersk revised its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS).
Maersk announced the changes in a notice on Monday, October 26. They cover cargo moving from China and Hong Kong to Kenya and Tanzania and will stay in force until further notice.
For Kenya, a 20-foot container will attract a surcharge of USD 1,000 (Ksh129,400). Importers moving 40-foot or 45-foot containers will pay USD 2,000 (Ksh258,800) for each box.
Cargo headed for Dar es Salaam faces a steeper charge on smaller containers. Maersk set the surcharge at USD 1,200 (Ksh155,280) for a 20-foot unit, while 40-foot and 45-foot containers carry the same USD 2,000 (Ksh258,800) as on the Kenyan route.
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Maersk said the surcharge will generally be collected at the point of origin, unless importers and their shipping agents have agreed on another payment arrangement.
Which rate applies depends on how the cargo is booked. Customers on regular contracts will be charged according to the scheduled departure date of the vessel’s first sea leg when the booking is confirmed. Spot bookings will follow either the booking confirmation date or the vessel’s scheduled departure date.
The company added that the surcharge is separate from other shipping costs, such as local handling fees and contingency charges. Importers could therefore face a higher final bill, depending on their shipments.
By our reporter
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