Import clothing from China to Kenya
Indicative duty ~25% (HS 61 / 62). Work out the all-in landed cost below.
China to Kenya, all-in
Indicative, not a quote. Duty bands, FX and freight are estimates sampled 2026-06-07. Confirm the exact HS duty with Kenya customs and freight with a forwarder.
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Today's yuan to Kenya rate
Indicative, not a quote. The band is typical of agent/payment pricing.
| CNY | At mid rate | What you actually pay |
|---|---|---|
| ¥1,000 | KSh19,130 | KSh19,800 |
| ¥10,000 | KSh191,300 | KSh197,995 |
| ¥100,000 | KSh1,913,000 | KSh1,979,955 |
The FX leg is often the difference between a profitable order and a loss. The mid-market rate is the reference; what you actually pay to settle into a Chinese supplier's account sits 1.5–3.5% above it. On a large payment that spread can outweigh the agent fee, so it is worth comparing rates the day you pay.
Worked example: Clothing to Kenya
For a typical clothing order into Kenya — 800 units at ¥34 each (200 kg, sea freight) — the duty falls in the 25% band, on top of which sit 16% VAT, IDF, RDL. That lands at roughly KSh890,154, or KSh1,113 per unit (~$8), an effective burden near 50% of the CIF value. Against a local retail of KSh1,943 to KSh3,239, gross margin runs about 66-43%. This order Kenya has no de-minimis, so any value pays full duty.
A realistic order: 800 units at ¥34 each (200 kg, 1.2 CBM, sea).
Is it worth importing?
At a landed KSh1,117 per unit, against a typical local retail of KSh1,951 to KSh3,252, gross margin is roughly 66-43%. Indicative; real retail varies by market and channel.
QC check. Check fabric weight (GSM), stitch density and that the size chart matches your market's bodies, not China's; pull a wash test for colour-fastness and shrinkage.
Apparel is a finished consumer good and a protected domestic industry in most markets, so it usually sits at or near the top duty band.
HS classification trap. Knitted (HS 61) and woven (HS 62) garments are separate chapters, and fibre composition shifts the rate; a polyester/cotton blend can be dutied differently from pure cotton.
Indicative, not a quote. Example inputs are typical for the product class; duty and FX sampled 2026-06-07.
Buying clothing on 1688
Typical 1688 search terms: women dress, t-shirt, hoodie, leggings. Indicative EAC CET; garments can attract 35%. Verify exact HS via KRA. Sourced 2026-06-07.
All Kenya categories →Frequently asked questions
What duty applies to clothing in Kenya?
Indicative duty for clothing is about 25% (HS hint HS 61 / 62). With Kenya's VAT and levy stack the effective burden is roughly 50%. Verify the exact rate with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
What does clothing cost to import from China?
It depends on unit price, quantity, agent fee and freight. Use the calculator above for an all-in landed cost in KES.
What should I search for on 1688?
Common terms for this category: women dress, t-shirt, hoodie, leggings. Pair these with a sourcing agent if you cannot read Chinese.
Are these numbers official?
No. Duty, FX and freight here are indicative estimates sampled 2026-06-07. Confirm with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and a forwarder before paying.
Last updated: 2026-06-07.
Wanjiru covers the Kenya–China trade route end to end: EAC Common External Tariff bands, the IDF and Railway Development Levy that sit on every CIF value, and the payment rails (from M-Pesa funding to B2B settlement) that move shillings to yuan. She writes for Nairobi's import traders who need the real all-in cost.