Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and Kenya

Africa · 1 port guide

In 2025 the United States exported $982.4 million of goods to Kenya and imported $862.2 million from there. Kenya ranked 88th among US export markets and 93rd among sources of US imports.

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4 ports in Kenya recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$982.4MUp 29.6% on 2024 ($758.3 million)
US imports, 2025
$862.2MUp 17.0% on 2024 ($736.8 million)
Goods balance
$120.2MUS surplus
Export market rank
88thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
93rdAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to Kenya

Organic chemicals (chapter 29) led US exports to Kenya at $324.3 million, 33% of the total. The top three chapters made up 66%.

  1. 29Organic chemicals$324.3 million33.0%
  2. 27Mineral fuels and oils$206.5 million21.0%
  3. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$116.0 million11.8%
  4. 87Vehicles and parts$65.5 million6.7%
  5. 39Plastics$38.7 million3.9%

US imports from Kenya

Non-knitted apparel (chapter 62) led US imports from Kenya at $304.0 million, 35% of the total. The top three chapters made up 80%.

  1. 62Non-knitted apparel$304.0 million35.3%
  2. 61Knitted apparel$299.2 million34.7%
  3. 09Coffee, tea and spices$87.6 million10.2%
  4. 15Fats and oils$38.1 million4.4%
  5. 08Fruit and nuts$31.1 million3.6%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with Kenya, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents Kenya requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with Kenya.

Exports through the port, 2025
$19.1M1.9% of the US total with Kenya
Leading export goods
Wood pulp and recovered paperHS chapter 47, $10.0 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$39.4M4.6% of the US total with Kenya
Leading import goods
Non-knitted apparelHS chapter 62, $19.1 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in Kenya

1 port in Kenya has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for Kenya: Kilifi, Lamu and Malindi.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.