Trade lane

What Kenya buys from China.

Kenya imported USD 6.0bn of manufactured and processed goods from China in 2024, up 8 per cent on 2022. That is 40 per cent of everything Kenya imported in these lines, and China is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where China dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 6.0bnfrom China in 2024 (USD 5.6bn in 2022)
40 per centof Kenya's imports in these lines, USD 15bn from every source
824product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#1China's rank among Kenya's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what Kenya paid China for it at the border, China's share of everything Kenya imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 38 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mmHS 720839

    Share of Kenya's imports44 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changeup 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 120m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 565 a tonne, 305,055 tonnes
    USD 172min 2024
  2. 2

    Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: open, with non-removable sides of a height exceeding 60cm, not self-propelledHS 860692

    Share of Kenya's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changefrom USD 21k in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 127min 2024
  3. 3

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Share of Kenya's imports97 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 106 per cent on 2022 (USD 62m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,594 a tonne, 79,709 tonnes
    USD 127min 2024
  4. 4

    Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762

    Share of Kenya's imports46 per cent, 65 source countries
    Changeup 49 per cent on 2022 (USD 60m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 87,568 a tonne, 1,014 tonnes
    USD 89min 2024
  5. 5

    Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyedHS 540752

    Share of Kenya's imports90 per cent, 20 source countries
    Changeup 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 78m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,998 a tonne, 8,502 tonnes
    USD 85min 2024
  6. 6

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Share of Kenya's imports45 per cent, 31 source countries
    Changeup 459 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,778 a tonne, 42,948 tonnes
    USD 76min 2024
  7. 7

    Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121

    Share of Kenya's imports65 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changeup 135 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,644 a tonne, 19,051 tonnes
    USD 69min 2024
  8. 8

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Share of Kenya's imports78 per cent, 31 source countries
    Changeup 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 56m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,474 a tonne, 46,740 tonnes
    USD 69min 2024
  9. 9

    Circuits: printedHS 853400

    Share of Kenya's imports98 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changefrom USD 939k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 629,883 a tonne, 99 tonnes
    USD 62min 2024
  10. 10

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299

    Share of Kenya's imports93 per cent, 48 source countries
    Changedown 75 per cent on 2022 (USD 247m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,050 a tonne, 15,402 tonnes
    USD 62min 2024
  11. 11

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Share of Kenya's imports82 per cent, 50 source countries
    Changelevel with 2022 (USD 56m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,589 a tonne, 21,795 tonnes
    USD 56min 2024
  12. 12

    Rail locomotives and locomotive tenders: other than diesel-electric poweredHS 860290

    Share of Kenya's imports100 per cent, 1 source country
    Changefrom USD 9m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 56min 2024
  13. 13

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620342

    Share of Kenya's imports95 per cent, 52 source countries
    Changeup 41 per cent on 2022 (USD 37m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 23,590 a tonne, 2,210 tonnes
    USD 52min 2024
  14. 14

    Luminaires and light fittings: electric, designed for other than use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sourcesHS 940549

    Share of Kenya's imports98 per cent, 43 source countries
    Changeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 43m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 31,292 a tonne, 1,647 tonnes
    USD 52min 2024
  15. 15

    Steel, stainless: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereofHS 732393

    Share of Kenya's imports91 per cent, 57 source countries
    Changeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 47m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,972 a tonne, 3,381 tonnes
    USD 51min 2024
  16. 16

    Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 940320

    Share of Kenya's imports92 per cent, 65 source countries
    Changeup 432 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,977 a tonne, 6,225 tonnes
    USD 50min 2024
  17. 17

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Share of Kenya's imports87 per cent, 86 source countries
    Changeup 166 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,076 a tonne, 8,582 tonnes
    USD 44min 2024
  18. 18

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Share of Kenya's imports94 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 131,979 a tonne, 321 tonnes
    USD 42min 2024
  19. 19

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyedHS 600632

    Share of Kenya's imports53 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changeup 8 per cent on 2022 (USD 38m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,926 a tonne, 8,280 tonnes
    USD 41min 2024
  20. 20

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Share of Kenya's imports97 per cent, 8 source countries
    Changedown 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 51m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,595 a tonne, 25,066 tonnes
    USD 40min 2024
  21. 21

    Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranesHS 842619

    Share of Kenya's imports99 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changefrom USD 6m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 39min 2024
  22. 22

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (including square)...HS 720711

    Share of Kenya's imports69 per cent, 6 source countries
    Changenew since 2022
    Unit valueUSD 492 a tonne, 77,813 tonnes
    USD 38min 2024
  23. 23

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panelsHS 854143

    Share of Kenya's imports94 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changeup 17 per cent on 2022 (USD 32m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,359 a tonne, 16,012 tonnes
    USD 38min 2024
  24. 24

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour...HS 852872

    Share of Kenya's imports60 per cent, 80 source countries
    Changedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 43m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,461 a tonne, 4,958 tonnes
    USD 37min 2024
  25. 25

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Share of Kenya's imports74 per cent, 62 source countries
    Changedown 7 per cent on 2022 (USD 39m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 13,043 a tonne, 2,762 tonnes
    USD 36min 2024
  26. 26

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 721391

    Share of Kenya's imports71 per cent, 6 source countries
    Changeup 117 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 999 a tonne, 32,717 tonnes
    USD 33min 2024
  27. 27

    Fabrics: pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 600192

    Share of Kenya's imports99 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 325 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 32min 2024
  28. 28

    Vinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substances, in primary formsHS 390410

    Share of Kenya's imports81 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changedown 9 per cent on 2022 (USD 35m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 744 a tonne, 42,656 tonnes
    USD 32min 2024
  29. 29

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Share of Kenya's imports55 per cent, 79 source countries
    Changeup 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 25m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 14,676 a tonne, 2,116 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  30. 30

    Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square)HS 850760

    Share of Kenya's imports74 per cent, 42 source countries
    Changeup 103 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 15,020 a tonne, 2,056 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  31. 31

    Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779

    Share of Kenya's imports67 per cent, 46 source countries
    Changeup 189 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 64,437 a tonne, 470 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  32. 32

    Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431HS 843149

    Share of Kenya's imports84 per cent, 44 source countries
    Changeup 38 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 9,225 a tonne, 3,235 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  33. 33

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893

    Share of Kenya's imports66 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changedown 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 42m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,624 a tonne, 11,354 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  34. 34

    Footwear: parts, uppers and parts thereof, other than stiffenersHS 640610

    Share of Kenya's imports97 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changefrom USD 4m in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 29,910 a tonne, 990 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  35. 35

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Share of Kenya's imports60 per cent, 103 source countries
    Changeup 3 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,425 a tonne, 11,802 tonnes
    USD 29min 2024
  36. 36

    Mountings, fittings and similar articles: of base metal, suitable for buildingsHS 830241

    Share of Kenya's imports94 per cent, 36 source countries
    Changeup 315 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 13,023 a tonne, 2,118 tonnes
    USD 28min 2024
  37. 37

    Motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessoriesHS 871410

    Share of Kenya's imports85 per cent, 37 source countries
    Changedown 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 31m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,805 a tonne, 9,751 tonnes
    USD 27min 2024
  38. 38

    Meters: electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereofHS 902830

    Share of Kenya's imports98 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changefrom USD 651k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 43,407 a tonne, 609 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  39. 39

    Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130

    Share of Kenya's imports77 per cent, 90 source countries
    Changedown 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 40m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 26min 2024
  40. 40

    Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of...HS 420212

    Share of Kenya's imports98 per cent, 47 source countries
    Changedown 77 per cent on 2022 (USD 112m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,987 a tonne, 8,453 tonnes
    USD 25min 2024
  41. 41

    Machines: for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials in powder or paste form, machines for...HS 847480

    Share of Kenya's imports89 per cent, 18 source countries
    Changeup 164 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 20,567 a tonne, 1,203 tonnes
    USD 25min 2024
  42. 42

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of Kenya's imports49 per cent, 78 source countries
    Changedown 48 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,911 a tonne, 8,472 tonnes
    USD 25min 2024
  43. 43

    Cranes and derricks: for other than mounting on road vehicles, n.e.c. in heading no. 8426HS 842699

    Share of Kenya's imports99 per cent, 10 source countries
    Changeup 444 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 25min 2024
  44. 44

    Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment: for treating materials by change of temperature, other than for making hot drinks or cooking or heating foodHS 841989

    Share of Kenya's imports56 per cent, 37 source countries
    Changefrom USD 2m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 24min 2024
  45. 45

    Aluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading no. 9406) and parts of structures, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doorsHS 761010

    Share of Kenya's imports94 per cent, 33 source countries
    Changeup 124 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 13,235 a tonne, 1,717 tonnes
    USD 23min 2024
  46. 46

    Footwear: parts, outer soles and heels, of rubber or plasticsHS 640620

    Share of Kenya's imports99 per cent, 11 source countries
    Changefrom USD 2m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 22min 2024
  47. 47

    Polyethers other than polyacetals, and bis(polyoxyethylene) methylphosphonate: in primary formsHS 390729

    Share of Kenya's imports61 per cent, 22 source countries
    Changeup 109 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,221 a tonne, 18,080 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  48. 48

    Fabrics, woven: printed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibresHS 551614

    Share of Kenya's imports100 per cent, 8 source countries
    Changedown 22 per cent on 2022 (USD 28m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 22min 2024
  49. 49

    Furniture: of cane, osier, or similar materials (other than bamboo or rattan)HS 940389

    Share of Kenya's imports91 per cent, 43 source countries
    Changeup 1 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,337 a tonne, 1,890 tonnes
    USD 21min 2024
  50. 50

    Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articlesHS 380891

    Share of Kenya's imports36 per cent, 39 source countries
    Changedown 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 38m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,039 a tonne, 3,376 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranesHS 842619USD 39m in 2024, from USD 6m in 2022. China supplies 99 per cent of the line.
  2. Rail locomotives and locomotive tenders: other than diesel-electric poweredHS 860290USD 56m in 2024, from USD 9m in 2022. China supplies 100 per cent of the line.
  3. Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210USD 76m in 2024, up 459 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022). China supplies 45 per cent of the line.
  4. Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 940320USD 50m in 2024, up 432 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). China supplies 92 per cent of the line.
  5. Fabrics: pile fabrics (excluding long pile and loop pile), of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 600192USD 32m in 2024, up 325 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 99 per cent of the line.
  6. Mountings, fittings and similar articles: of base metal, suitable for buildingsHS 830241USD 28m in 2024, up 315 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 94 per cent of the line.
  7. Iron or non-alloy steel: H sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or moreHS 721633USD 19m in 2024, up 242 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 99 per cent of the line.
  8. Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803): printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weighing 40g/m2...HS 480255USD 18m in 2024, up 229 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 34 per cent of the line.
  9. Mountings, fittings and similar articles: suitable for furniture of base metalHS 830242USD 17m in 2024, up 190 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 89 per cent of the line.
  10. Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779USD 30m in 2024, up 189 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). China supplies 67 per cent of the line.
  11. Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690USD 44m in 2024, up 166 per cent on 2022 (USD 16m in 2022). China supplies 87 per cent of the line.
  12. Machines: for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials in powder or paste form, machines for...HS 847480USD 25m in 2024, up 164 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). China supplies 89 per cent of the line.
  13. Electrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling capacity not exceeding 650kVAHS 850421USD 12m in 2024, up 140 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 79 per cent of the line.
  14. Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121USD 69m in 2024, up 135 per cent on 2022 (USD 30m in 2022). China supplies 65 per cent of the line.
  15. Refrigerators and freezers: combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted with separate external doors, electric or otherHS 841810USD 16m in 2024, up 131 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 76 per cent of the line.
  16. Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890USD 17m in 2024, up 125 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 42 per cent of the line.
  17. Aluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading no. 9406) and parts of structures, doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doorsHS 761010USD 23m in 2024, up 124 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). China supplies 94 per cent of the line.
  18. Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 721391USD 33m in 2024, up 117 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). China supplies 71 per cent of the line.
  19. Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymersHS 390130USD 16m in 2024, up 117 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 61 per cent of the line.
  20. Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water absorption coefficient by weight not over 0.5%HS 690721USD 17m in 2024, up 116 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022). China supplies 56 per cent of the line.
Where China dominates

Lines where China supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where China ships at least 60 per cent of what Kenya imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: open, with non-removable sides of a height exceeding 60cm, not self-propelledHS 860692100 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 127m; 1 source country in all.
  2. Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 39076197 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 127m; 15 source countries in all.
  3. Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyedHS 54075290 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 85m; 20 source countries in all.
  4. Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 87012165 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 69m; 17 source countries in all.
  5. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 40112078 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 69m; 31 source countries in all.
  6. Circuits: printedHS 85340098 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 62m; 53 source countries in all.
  7. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 64029993 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 62m; 48 source countries in all.
  8. Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 73089082 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 56m; 50 source countries in all.
  9. Rail locomotives and locomotive tenders: other than diesel-electric poweredHS 860290100 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 56m; 1 source country in all.
  10. Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 62034295 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 52m; 52 source countries in all.
  11. Luminaires and light fittings: electric, designed for other than use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sourcesHS 94054998 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 52m; 43 source countries in all.
  12. Steel, stainless: table, kitchen and other household articles and parts thereofHS 73239391 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 51m; 57 source countries in all.
  13. Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 94032092 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 50m; 65 source countries in all.
  14. Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 73269087 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 44m; 86 source countries in all.
  15. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171394 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 42m; 79 source countries in all.
  16. Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 72107097 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 40m; 8 source countries in all.
  17. Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranesHS 84261999 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 39m; 7 source countries in all.
  18. Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (including square)...HS 72071169 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 38m; 6 source countries in all.
  19. Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panelsHS 85414394 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 38m; 33 source countries in all.
  20. Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour...HS 85287260 per cent of Kenya's imports of the line, USD 37m; 80 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where China's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to Kenya at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210China: USD 76m at USD 1,778 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 41m (24 per cent of the line) at USD 1,124 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,119 a tonne.
  2. Tractors: road tractors for semi-trailers, with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel)HS 870121China: USD 69m at USD 3,644 a tonne. United Kingdom: USD 15m (14 per cent of the line) at USD 2,367 a tonne, 35 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,789 a tonne.
  3. Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 721391China: USD 33m at USD 999 a tonne. South Africa: USD 12m (26 per cent of the line) at USD 556 a tonne, 44 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 714 a tonne.
  4. Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803): printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weighing 40g/m2...HS 480255China: USD 18m at USD 1,028 a tonne. Indonesia: USD 11m (21 per cent of the line) at USD 650 a tonne, 37 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 857 a tonne.
  5. Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900China: USD 18m at USD 4,769 a tonne. Egypt: USD 18m (42 per cent of the line) at USD 3,643 a tonne, 24 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 4,515 a tonne.
  6. Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water absorption coefficient by weight not over 0.5%HS 690721China: USD 17m at USD 643 a tonne. India: USD 8m (26 per cent of the line) at USD 444 a tonne, 31 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 444 a tonne.
  7. Ovens, cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters: of a kind used for domestic purposes (excluding microwaves)HS 851660China: USD 17m at USD 9,158 a tonne. Turkey: USD 14m (44 per cent of the line) at USD 3,550 a tonne, 61 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,158 a tonne.
  8. Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymersHS 390130China: USD 16m at USD 3,235 a tonne. Saudi Arabia: USD 6m (23 per cent of the line) at USD 1,296 a tonne, 60 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,361 a tonne.
  9. Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articlesHS 380892China: USD 15m at USD 5,690 a tonne. India: USD 8m (18 per cent of the line) at USD 2,783 a tonne, 51 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 9,968 a tonne.
  10. Acrylic polymers: (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary formsHS 390690China: USD 11m at USD 1,916 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 6m (11 per cent of the line) at USD 1,178 a tonne, 39 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 2,277 a tonne.
  11. Propylene, other olefin polymers: propylene copolymers in primary formsHS 390230China: USD 9m at USD 1,996 a tonne. United Arab Emirates: USD 19m (36 per cent of the line) at USD 1,173 a tonne, 41 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 1,173 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What Kenya buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to Kenya with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is China's part of everything Kenya imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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