Kenya and the UAE have strengthened their commercial bonds through deepened trade ties over the last decade. The UAE and Kenya established their first mainland African trade agreement through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during 2024.  The agreement works to abolish duties on essential exports and streamlines customs operations and welcomes additional investments for infrastructure development. The UAE will receive triple the amount of Kenyan exports that include tea, coffee, horticultural products and meat because logistics stands as the foundation of this developing partnership.

Your search for engagement in this active trade corridor has led you to the right destination. Three Lines Shipping makes international logistics easier for our clients. Our team takes care of all your needs when handling customs regulations and freight selection and delivery deadlines to deliver smooth operations from Kenya to the UAE. This guide contains complete information about shipping options and transit periods as well as transportation expenses together with documentation requirements and port and airport details.

Shipping Options: Ocean vs. Air Freight

 The transport infrastructure of Kenya enables direct connections between its air and ocean services to UAE ports and airports.  Your two primary freight modes are:

Ocean Freight

 Your goods can be transported at a lower cost using the LCL (Less than Container Load) option for smaller cargo shipments. Your goods share container space with other exporters and you need to pay only for the space your cargo occupies. Shipments under 14 CBM benefit from this option.

Full Container Load (FCL) is when a shipper utilizes an entire container dedicated for his shipments. Your cost remains the same no matter what the container weight is because you pay one fixed amount for shipping. Bulk shipments and sensitive goods require this method because it provides speed along with better security.

Air Freight

International air transport remains the speediest shipping method available today. Air freight provides a better value for high-value and perishable items since it costs less than sea freight. Your shipment can reach Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah airports in just a few days because of frequent cargo flights from Nairobi to these destinations.

Shipping Costs: What Affects Pricing?

The shipping expenses from Kenya to UAE rely on multiple determinants.

• Nature and classification of goods (hazardous, perishable, high-value)
• The selected transport mode consists of air, LCL or FCL.
• A shipping operation requires both total volume (CBM) and weight (kg) measurement.

 The delivery and loading points determine shipping costs between port-to-port and door-to-door services.

The costs of shipping are influenced by seasonal variations and additional fuel surcharges.

General Pricing Tips:

• The shipping price for small packages under 100 kg will be most cost-effective through air transport.
• FCL provides better cost advantages than LCL when shipments reach 14 CBM or higher.
• Items weighing less than 35 kg should use courier services instead of traditional freight forwarding for delivery.

 Three Lines Shipping generates specific freight price comparisons among all available options to help clients select their ideal shipping method.

• The Duration of Transportation Depends on Shipping Methods and Routes and Customs Clearance Processes.
• The length of shipping depends on transportation routes and the schedules of carriers together with customs processing requirements.

Sea Freight

The duration for shipping via sea takes between 15 and 35 days. Here are common estimates:

• The shipping time from Mombasa to Jebel Ali falls between 20 to 30 days.
• The transit duration from Mombasa to Khalifa Port ranges between 22 to 33 days.
• Mombasa to Khor Fakkan shipping takes between 18 to 28 days.

Air Freight

Air freight shipments need 5 to 8 days for delivery after pickup and consolidation and following export clearance in Kenya and import clearance in the UAE.

Customs Clearance Requirements

Kenya and the UAE maintain strict documentation requirements for all import and export activities. Three Lines Shipping leads clients through an efficient customs clearance process. You will typically need:

1) Commercial Invoice

2) Packing List

3) Certificate of Origin

4) Bill of Lading (ocean) or Airway Bill (air)

5) Payment proof (Letter of Credit or contractual agreement)

6) Special licenses or permits (if required for your cargo)

Proper classification of goods under HS codes and advance preparation of paperwork help avoid delays and penalties.

Ocean Freight Breakdown: LCL vs.  FCL

LCL Advantages:

Small quantities of cargo can be effectively transported using LCL due to its cost-effectiveness.

• There is no requirement to wait until the container reaches full capacity before shipping
• The LCL transportation option is available at numerous ports and warehouses throughout the world.

 LCL Disadvantages:

• The procedure of uniting and separating cargo needs additional operational steps.
• The delivery process takes longer when you select this shipping method.
• The risk of damage to fragile items is higher when using this mode of transport.

FCL Advantages:

• The main benefit of FCL arises from its bulk shipping cost advantages.
• The total shipping expenses become less expensive when compared to alternative transportation methods.
• This shipping method delivers items more quickly because it involves fewer stops during transportation.

FCL Disadvantages:

• The initial cost of FCL proves expensive for small volumes that do not fill the entire container.
• Special preparations need to be made for both the collection site and the delivery site.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Freight

 Advantages:

• International goods transportation becomes the fastest method with this approach.
• The shipping method works best for both sensitive goods along with time-sensitive deliveries.
• Using this option minimizes the chance of theft combined with damage risks.
• Nairobi International Airport provides direct access to this shipping option.

 Disadvantages:

• The shipping price grows dramatically as weight and volume increase.
• Not ideal for transporting very large or non-standard items.
• The shipping method produces a higher environmental impact because it uses more energy.
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Port Infrastructure in Kenya

Port of Mombasa

• The port serves East Africa from its position as Kenya’s leading maritime gateway.
• The terminal serves as a freight hub for Kenya together with Uganda South Sudan Rwanda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
• A deep-water harbor operates with contemporary equipment and terminal facilities.
• The facility handles more than 1 million TEUs annually.
• UN/LOCODE: KEMBA

Major UAE Ports Receiving Kenyan Cargo

Jebel Ali (Dubai)

• Largest container port in the Middle East
• Extensive road and rail network
• More than 180 shipping lines operate in the port through their global network.
• UN/LOCODE: AEJEA

Khalifa Port (Abu Dhabi)

• The semi-automated terminal operates at the forefront of technology.
• The facility serves industrial zones situated in Abu Dhabi.
• The transportation system integrates with Etihad Rail.
• UN/LOCODE: AEKHL

Khor Fakkan (Sharjah)

• The port serves as an ideal facility for fast cargo unloading operations and transshipment purposes.
• The facility utilizes modern automated equipment and container handling systems.
• The port benefits from its position beyond the Strait of Hormuz to offer fast shipping routes.
• UN/LOCODE: AEKLF

Kenya–UAE Air Freight Corridor: Key Airports

Nairobi – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

• The airport serves as the main hub for more than 25 airlines that operate in cargo services.
• The airport features special freight facilities and climate-controlled storage facilities.
• Daily air cargo operations link the facility to United Arab Emirates destinations.

Dubai International (DXB)

• Region’s primary air cargo hub
• Home to Emirates SkyCargo
• The facility provides cutting-edge storage capabilities for both pharmaceutical products and perishable goods.

Abu Dhabi (AUH)

• Etihad Crystal Cargo hub
• The facility operates at high levels of performance and provides consistent reliability.
• The facility provides automated tracking systems and monitoring systems.

Sharjah (SHJ)

• The facility provides efficient shipping services for small and medium-sized freight.
• The airport provides budget airlines and charter cargo operations with robust connections.
• Three Lines Shipping Offers Kenyan–UAE Logistics Services Due to Its Multiple Shipping Routes.

Why Choose Three Lines Shipping for Kenya–UAE Logistics?

Three Lines Shipping has more than twenty years of cross border shipping experience. From coffee exporters to Dubai or industrial equipment movers to Abu Dhabi, we provide solutions that fit your budget and timeline and match your cargo requirements.

With us, you get:

• Transparent quotes – no hidden fees
• Streamlined customs clearance
• Port-to-door and door-to-door delivery options
• Effective shipment tracking
• Dedicated account management
• Multilingual support team
• Expert handling for reefers, projects, and specialized cargo

We provide an efficient platform which allows you to maintain control over your logistics operations from quote to book to track to manage through a single interface. Our company will create a customized shipping plan for your Kenya to UAE business operations. Contact us today.