What East Africa Imports: A Shipper's Guide to Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda
The goods flowing into East Africa through Mombasa and Dar es Salaam — used vehicles, machinery, and project cargo — and what shippers need to know about each market.
Seaway Project Cargo Team
Project Cargo & Heavy-Lift Specialists
East Africa is one of the most dynamic import regions for used vehicles and capital equipment, served primarily through the ports of Mombasa (Kenya) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), which also feed landlocked Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond via the Northern and Central Corridors.
What moves into the region
- Used vehicles — a very large category, subject to strict age limits and database valuation.
- Construction and earthmoving equipment — for infrastructure and roadbuilding.
- Agricultural machinery — tractors and implements.
- Project cargo — power, mining, and processing equipment, often out-of-gauge.
Market-by-market essentials
Kenya — vehicles are valued on the KRA CRSP list (not your invoice), with an 8-year age limit on road vehicles and a mandatory pre-export inspection. Heavy machinery is generally exempt from the age limit. Full detail in the Kenya shipping guide.
Tanzania — uses the TRA UMVVS valuation system and applies a steep age-based excise penalty on older vehicles. See the Tanzania guide.
Uganda — landlocked; cargo routes through Mombasa then overland on the Northern Corridor, with an environmental levy on older vehicles. See the Uganda guide.
Estimate your landed cost
All three apply duty on the customs value plus VAT (16% Kenya, 18% Tanzania and Uganda) and additional levies. Model it with the Import Duty & Tax Estimator, then request a quote for your lane from a US port to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam.
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