Kenyan importers shipping goods from China and Hong Kong are set to face higher costs after global shipping company Maersk announced revised container surcharges that will take effect on November 9, 2026.

In a notice issued on Monday, October 26, Maersk announced changes to its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for shipments from China and Hong Kong to Kenya and Tanzania, with the new charges remaining in effect until further notice.

Under the revised tariffs, importers shipping 20-foot containers to Kenya will incur a surcharge of USD 1,000 (Ksh129,400), while those transporting 40-foot and 45-foot containers will pay USD 2,000 (Ksh258,800) per container.

The company also revised charges for shipments destined for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, setting the surcharge at USD 1,200 (Ksh155,280) for 20-foot containers and USD 2,000 (Ksh258,800) for 40-foot and 45-foot containers.

According to Maersk, the additional charges will generally be collected at the point of origin unless importers and shipping agents have agreed on different payment arrangements.

For customers using regular shipping contracts, the applicable surcharge will be determined by the scheduled departure date of the vessel's first sea journey at the time the booking is confirmed, while spot bookings will follow the booking confirmation date or the vessel's scheduled departure date.

The latest announcement comes four months after Maersk introduced similar shipping charges in June, when importers bringing goods from China and Hong Kong were subjected to surcharges of USD 1,000 (Ksh129,400) for 20-foot containers and USD 2,000 (Ksh258,800) for larger containers.

The June adjustments affected businesses relying on Chinese imports, particularly traders bringing in manufactured goods, machinery, electronics and other products, with shipping expenses forming part of the final cost of imported merchandise.

China remains Kenya's largest source of imports, with trade between the two countries reaching Ksh688.1 billion in 2025, according to figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

Of the total trade, Kenya imported goods worth Ksh671.2 billion from China, while exports were valued at Ksh16.9 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of Ksh654.3 billion. Imports from China increased by 16.5 per cent compared to 2024, while Kenyan exports to the Asian country declined.

China has continued to dominate Kenya's import market in 2026 , with KNBS figures showing that the country supplied goods worth Ksh83.3 billion in August alone, accounting for 29.2 per cent of Kenya's total imports during the month.