Trade Routes
Shipping from India to Kenya & East Africa: Mombasa Guide
6 min read
India has long-standing trade ties with East Africa. Mombasa in Kenya is the regional gateway, serving Kenya and landlocked neighbours such as Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.
Routes and ports
Exports leave Nhava Sheva or Mundra for Mombasa, sometimes via a transhipment hub such as Jebel Ali or Salalah. From Mombasa, cargo moves inland by road and rail to Nairobi and across the region.
Typical transit times
- Ocean FCL: approximately 14 to 25 days depending on routing and transhipment.
- Air freight: generally 3 to 7 days to Nairobi.
Documentation and pre-shipment inspection
Standard export documents apply. Kenya and several East African countries require a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate for many regulated goods, issued before shipment. Confirm whether your product needs PVoC to avoid clearance problems on arrival.