Buying LED Lights from China for Kenya Construction Projects

African countries are accelerating their urbanization process, investing in infrastructure, real estate, and industrial parks. Kenya, as the largest LED product market in East Africa, boasts a robust growth momentum. Its LED lighting market scaled from approximately $560 million in 2019 to $840 million in 2023, with a projected expansion to $1.17 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of about 8.6%. Notably, its electricity access rate is the highest in East Africa (around 75% via grid and off-grid solutions), which lays a solid foundation for market growth. So more Kenyan wholesalers, distributors, and project contractors are choosing to import LED lighting directly from China to reduce costs and access a wider range of products.
If you’re planning to import LED lights such as downlights, panel lights, flood lights, street lights, or track lights from China to Kenya, this guide will walk you through every step clearly—requirements, documents, taxes, and shipping.

Why import from China?

• Competitive price
• Diverse product selection
• Customized service
• No good quality lights in the local area
• Stable quality if you find a reliable supplier

Cost Structure of Importing lights from China to Kenya

When importing from China to Kenya, your costs include more than just the product price. You will also need to pay for shipping, customs clearance, duties and taxes, inspections, storage, and other related fees.

Understanding these import costs is essential—it helps you estimate your profit before importing. You don’t want to go through the whole import process only to find out that your selling price can’t cover your expenses.

Knowing the cost structure also helps you organize your budget better and avoid being overcharged or scammed.

Required Documents for Kenya Import

A Complete Process for Importing Lighting Fixtures from China

1. Calculating Kenya’s Import Duties and Taxes for LED lights from China

Kenya charges import duty based on the product’s HS Code and EAC rules. All imported goods also pay 16% VAT, calculated on the CIF value plus duty and other fees.
So, find the correct HS Code first, check the duty rate, then add VAT to get the total import tax.

• Import Duty: 10% of the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value
• Value-Added Tax (VAT): 16% of (CIF value + import duty)
• Import Declaration Fee (IDF): 2.5% (min USD 55)
• Railway Development Levy: 2% of the CIF value (applies to all imports)

You can get the latest updates from the official website of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) https://www.kra.go.ke/

2. Finding a Reliable Lighting Supplier in China

• Sourcing channels: Search via Google, trade shows, B2B platforms (Alibaba, Global Sources), or on-site factory visits to choose reputable suppliers.
• Request quotations: After reviewing potential suppliers, contact them with detailed specifications and ask for quotes. Negotiate price, product specs, warranty, Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF), payment terms, and lead time. Note that Incoterms greatly affect your cost estimate.
• Sample confirmation: Request samples to test quality and ensure they meet your requirements.
• Place order: After approving samples, place a bulk order and arrange production (typically requires a 30% deposit).

3. Choosing a Good Freight Forwarder

Selecting the right freight forwarder is key to smooth shipping from China to Kenya. A reliable forwarder will handle transport, customs clearance, and documentation.

• Verify the company’s qualifications, such as FIATA or IATA certifications.
• Check experience, reputation, service range, and global network to ensure they can manage your logistics efficiently.
• Compare pricing and value-added services.
• Review their insurance and liability coverage.

NOTE: Now that you understand the duties, have selected a supplier, and found a freight forwarder, you can accurately calculate your landed cost and determine whether importing lighting products from China to Kenya is profitable.

4. Arranging Shipment

Before shipping, double-check product labels and packaging. Pay the remaining 70% balance. After receiving the packing list, invoice, and other documents, arrange for your forwarder to pick up the goods from the factory.

There are three main shipping methods from China to Kenya.

5. Prepare Customs Documents

After confirming the shipping method, prepare all necessary customs documents. Your freight forwarder will handle customs clearance at the Chinese port.

6. Pay All Import Fees

All import fees must be paid before shipment. Ensure you have sufficient funds to cover shipping, duties, VAT, and any other taxes imposed by the Kenyan government. Your customs agent will calculate the total amount based on the CIF value of your goods.

Late payments can cause significant delays in customs release. Paying all import fees upfront helps avoid customs obstacles and ensures smooth delivery.

7. Customs Clearance

Hire a Licensed Customs Broker registered with KRA and KEBS. A licensed customs broker is a professional who understands the complexities of customs regulations and can handle paperwork on your behalf. They assist with import taxes, duties, and other compliance requirements. Their expertise is invaluable for ensuring your goods clear customs efficiently and on time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

8. Transporting Goods to Your Location

Once customs clearance is complete, your goods can be transported to your warehouse. This may involve road or rail transport from Mombasa Port or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, depending on your location in Kenya.

Hire a reliable local transport provider to ensure safe and efficient delivery. During this stage, tracking shipments is essential to coordinate inventory and downstream operations smoothly.

Best-Selling LED Lights in Kenya 2025

• High-bay lights for warehouses and factories.
• Smart LED panels with dimming controls for offices and malls
• Solar-powered LED lights for rural commercial areas (Kenya’s solar market is growing fast).
• Track lights and downlights for commercial

Which Chinese LED Manufacturers Are Most Suitable for Kenya market?

1. Powerful Contractors & Government Projects
If you are handling large-scale projects and government tenders, you need suppliers who can provide full project support, long-term warranties, and flexible credit terms. Branded manufacturers such as NVC, Opple, Pak Lighting, and Sanxiong Aurora are ideal choices for reliability and proven track record.

2. Medium / Small Size Contractors
For mid-sized projects, you need high-quality fixtures with branded chips and drivers, reasonable pricing, fast response, and low MOQ. Consider suppliers like Greenriy, YAYE Lighting, Yanyang Lighting, and Xinhui Lighting.

3. Wholesalers & Retailers
If your priority is affordable standard lighting with fast delivery, small-to-medium factories from Zhongshan or Yiwu are a good fit. Examples include Fansen Lighting, Wellmax, FSL, and Lowcled Lighting.

4. Design Firms
For design-focused projects, you require suppliers who can provide OEM/ODM services with low MOQ and flexible customization. A suitable option is ZGSM Lighting, which specializes in tailored solutions for design-driven clients.

Conclusion

Importing LED lighting from China to Kenya is profitable if you follow the correct compliance steps—especially PVoC, proper HS codes, and working with a reliable manufacturer. Track KEBS announcements to know the updated requirements and standards.
By choosing the right supplier and a strong clearing agent, you can reduce costs, avoid delays, and build a strong lighting business in Kenya.

Your Reliable Supplier for Any Lighting Project

Get a Customized Quote

Hello, customers

My name is Ricky Wang, I’m the business manager of GRNLED. I have been in LED lights industry for more than 10 year. Feel free to contact us. I’m happy to provide you the best service and products.

Email:  info@grnled.com | WeChat: ledfixture

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Instagram