Canned Tuna Supplier
for Kenya
Top Tide Canning exports KEBS-certified canned tuna to Kenya through the Port of Mombasa — East Africa’s dominant ocean gateway. We supply Nairobi importers, Kenyan supermarket chains, and the regional wholesale networks that distribute via SGR and road freight across Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Kenya: East Africa’s #1 Economy, Mombasa SGR, and the Gateway to 200 Million Landlocked Consumers
Nairobi: East Africa’s Commercial Hub and the SGR That Changed Everything
Kenya occupies a unique position in Sub-Saharan Africa as the logistics and commercial capital of East Africa — a role reinforced by the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) connecting Mombasa port to Nairobi in 2017 and the ongoing SGR extension toward Uganda. Kenya’s GDP per capita is among the highest in East Africa, its middle class is the continent’s most digitally connected, and Nairobi’s status as host to 60+ UN agencies and the African headquarters of hundreds of multinational corporations drives a consumer market that is simultaneously locally rooted and globally oriented. For canned tuna importers, Kenya is not just a 55-million-person domestic market — it is the gateway through which the entire landlocked East African interior (Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern DRC, South Sudan) receives its containerised food imports.
The SGR (operated by Kenya Railways / Africa Star Railway Operation) has fundamentally changed the economics of Mombasa-to-Nairobi cargo movement. Prior to the SGR, all container freight moved by road on the A109 Mombasa Road — a 470km journey that could take 10–20 hours depending on traffic and vehicle breakdown rates. The SGR delivers containers to Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD (Inland Container Depot, also known as ICDN) in 4–6 hours, at lower freight cost and with far better container tracking. Nairobi importers increasingly specify SGR delivery in their shipping instructions — and all major canned tuna importers in Nairobi operate through the Embakasi ICD system. The SGR has effectively made Nairobi the regional dry port for the EAC hinterland.
Kenya’s canned tuna import market is driven by a large urban consumer base — Nairobi (5M+), Mombasa (1.5M+), Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret — and by expanding middle-class purchasing power. Kenyan consumers eat canned tuna in sandwiches, mixed rice dishes, pasta, and increasingly in the ready-meal and takeaway food segment. Kenya’s supermarket penetration (Carrefour, Naivas, QuickMart, Eastmatt, Cleanshelf) is growing rapidly, but the dominant distribution channel remains wholesale traders at Nairobi’s Gikomba, Wakulima, and City Market — who distribute to the retail networks reaching all 47 Kenyan counties.
The Standard Gauge Railway delivers containers from Mombasa port to Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD in 4–6 hours — versus 10–20 hours by road. All major Nairobi canned tuna importers now use SGR for the Mombasa–Nairobi leg. Lower demurrage risk, better tracking, and faster availability of cargo in Nairobi’s distribution warehouses.
Brine leads, similar to South Africa. Chilli/flavoured variants are a uniquely Kenyan growing segment driven by younger urban consumers.
KEBS: The Import Certification Every Canned Tuna Shipment to Kenya Must Carry
Kenya’s Import Standardisation Mark (ISM) programme — administered by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) — is a mandatory pre-shipment certification system that is unique to Kenya among East African markets. Every consignment of imported canned fish must obtain a KEBS Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from a KEBS-approved inspection agency before it can be cleared by KRA at the Port of Mombasa. This is distinct from NAFDAC (Nigeria), DALRRD/DoH R146 (South Africa), and EU FIC — it is a per-shipment pre-export inspection and certification system, not a product registration.
Per-Shipment Pre-Export Inspection
The KEBS Import Standardisation Mark (ISM) requires that every shipment of canned tuna exported to Kenya be inspected and certified by a KEBS-approved inspection agency before loading. The inspection verifies that the product meets the relevant Kenya Standard — KS 70 (Kenya Standard for canned fish) — covering drained weight, fill quality, species labelling, net weight declaration, and microbiological safety. The KEBS Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued for each shipment must be presented to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) at the Port of Mombasa. Without a valid CoC, the consignment is held at port and subject to re-inspection or rejection. Unlike NAFDAC (which is a product registration), KEBS ISM applies per shipment — a new CoC is required for every export consignment to Kenya.
KEBS-Authorised CoC Issuers
KEBS authorises a roster of internationally recognised inspection agencies to issue Certificates of Conformity on its behalf. Currently approved agencies operating in major canned tuna exporting countries include Bureau Veritas (BV), SGS, Intertek, and COTECNA — all of which operate in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines). The exporter contacts the relevant KEBS-approved agency in the country of origin, submits product documentation (product spec, CoA, label artwork showing KS 70 compliance), arranges physical or document-based inspection, and the agency issues the CoC electronically. The CoC is then included in the shipping document set alongside the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificate of origin.
Kenya Standard for Canned Fish
Kenya Standard KS 70 (Canned Fish — Specification) sets the technical requirements for imported canned tuna in Kenya. Key KS 70 requirements: minimum drained weight as a percentage of declared net weight (typically 70% minimum, species-dependent); species common name on the principal label panel (generic ‘tuna’ is not sufficient — ‘skipjack tuna’ or ‘yellowfin tuna’ required); correct net weight declaration in metric units; manufacturing date or best-before date on the can; and freedom from defects (abnormal odour, texture defects, container integrity failures). We produce canned tuna to KS 70 specification and the KEBS inspection agency reviews our product CoA and label artwork against KS 70 requirements as part of the CoC issuance process.
Kenya Revenue Authority Import Clearance
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) administers customs clearance at the Port of Mombasa and the Nairobi Embakasi ICD. Canned tuna is classified under HS Code 1604.14 and attracts the EAC Common External Tariff (CET) rate of 25% on CIF value — the same rate applied across all EAC Partner States (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC). An Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 3.5% of CIF value and a Railway Development Levy (RDL) of 2.5% of CIF value are also applied at Mombasa. VAT of 16% applies on the total of CIF + import duty. Kenyan importers work with licensed customs agents (clearing and forwarding agents registered with KRA) for Port of Mombasa or Embakasi ICD clearance.
We manage the KEBS Certificate of Conformity process for every Kenya-bound shipment — coordinating with the KEBS-approved inspection agency (Bureau Veritas or SGS) at our factory location, preparing the full documentation package (product specification, Certificate of Analysis, label artwork for KS 70 review), and ensuring the CoC is issued and included in the shipping document set before vessel departure. Kenyan importers receive a complete KEBS-compliant document set — CoC, commercial invoice, packing list, BL, Certificate of Origin, and CoA — before the vessel sails, enabling KRA customs pre-lodgement and minimising port clearance delays at Mombasa.
Mombasa Port, the Standard Gauge Railway, and Kenya’s Inland Container Depot Network
The Port of Mombasa, the SGR, and Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD form an integrated logistics chain that has transformed East African import efficiency — and fundamentally changed how canned tuna suppliers plan shipments to Kenya.
The Port of Mombasa (Kilindini Harbour) is East Africa’s dominant deep-water container port — the entry point for containerised imports for Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and eastern DRC. The port handles approximately 1.5 million TEU annually across its container terminals (Berth 11–21 conventional and Berth 22–26 bulk, plus the Kilindini Container Terminal). Direct shipping services from Southeast Asia (Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo as transhipment) connect to Mombasa on weekly loops — transit time from Thailand/Indonesia to Mombasa is approximately 18–22 days on direct services, or 22–26 days via Colombo transhipment. Mombasa is the first or only East African port of call for most Asia–East Africa container services.
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), commissioned in 2017, has transformed freight movement between Mombasa and Nairobi. Containers cleared at Mombasa port are loaded directly onto SGR freight trains at the Mombasa ICD (ICDM) and arrive at Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD (ICDN) in 4–6 hours — faster, cheaper, and more reliable than road. Kenya Railways / Africa Star Railway runs twice-daily freight services. SGR usage is mandated by KPA policy — all import containers must move by SGR unless specific road exemption is granted. The SGR has reduced demurrage risk for Nairobi importers and improved cargo predictability.
Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD (ICDN), operated by Kenya Railways, functions as East Africa’s regional dry port — the customs clearance and distribution hub for cargo destined not only for Nairobi but for Uganda (via Malaba/Busia border, 530km from Nairobi), Rwanda (via Malaba–Kampala–Kigali, ~1,500km), South Sudan (via Malaba–Kampala–Nimule), and Tanzania (via Namanga or Isebania border). Nairobi is also the regional headquarters for most East African FMCG distributors — importers clearing cargo at Embakasi can redistribute to the full EAC hinterland from a single Nairobi warehouse base.
Malaba · 530km
via Kampala · 1,500km
Namanga · 300km
via Kampala · 1,800km
Kenya as the Gateway to 200 Million East & Central African Consumers
The EAC Single Customs Territory allows goods cleared at Mombasa to transit Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan under a single customs declaration — making Kenya’s Nairobi distribution hub the logistics engine for the entire East African food import market.
🇺🇬 Uganda — Kenya’s Largest EAC Partner Market
Uganda is Kenya’s most significant EAC cross-border re-export market for canned tuna — a landlocked country of 48 million people that relies entirely on the Mombasa–Nairobi–Malaba/Busia corridor for its containerised food imports. Kampala-based importers either clear goods directly at Mombasa under EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) procedures or purchase from Nairobi distributors who truck to the Malaba or Busia border. Uganda’s formal retail (Carrefour Uganda, Nakumatt/Tuskys successor stores, Shoprite Uganda) and the Owino Market wholesale trade (Kampala’s largest market) are the primary buyer channels. The Ugandan shilling is broadly stable; USD invoicing is standard for B2B.
🇹🇿 Tanzania — Dual Entry Point Market
Tanzania is a unique EAC member in that it can be supplied both via Kenya (overland from Nairobi via Namanga or Isebania) and via direct ocean imports through its own ports — Dar es Salaam (Tanzania’s main container port) and Tanga. For canned tuna, Nairobi-based distributors supply northern Tanzania (Arusha, Kilimanjaro region) via the Namanga border, while Dar es Salaam handles the rest of Tanzania directly. Tanzania has a large formal retail sector (Shoprite Tanzania, Carrefour Tanzania, Uchumi) and a massive informal market network. Tanzanian EAC import duty rates and VAT apply at the Tanzanian port — not at the Kenyan entry point when goods transit under EAC SCT.
🇷🇼 Rwanda — Fastest Growing EAC Economy
Rwanda is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies — GDP growth averaging 7–8% annually — with a rapidly urbanising population (17M) and a Kigali consumer market that is increasingly sophisticated. Rwanda imports all canned tuna via Kenya (Mombasa → Nairobi → Malaba/Busia → Kampala → Katuna/Cyanika border crossings) or directly through Mombasa under EAC Single Customs Territory. Kigali’s supermarkets (Nakumatt Kigali, Simba Supermarket, Carrefour Kigali) and the Kimironko market wholesale trade are the primary distribution channels. Rwanda’s Vision 2050 economic development agenda and clean-city policies drive consumer quality standards higher — branded, well-labelled canned tuna is preferred over generic product.
🇪🇹 Ethiopia — Largest EAC-Adjacent Market
Ethiopia (120M population) is not formally an EAC member but trades extensively with Kenya through the Moyale border crossing and is in the process of EAC accession. Addis Ababa-based importers source canned tuna from Kenya (transiting via Moyale, 773km from Nairobi) or through their own Djibouti port route. Ethiopia’s rapidly growing urban middle class — the largest in East Africa — is driving strong canned tuna demand in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, and Hawassa. Ethiopian Birr volatility is a commercial challenge — USD or Ethiopian Birr Letter of Credit payment terms are used for larger import consignments. ERCA (Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority) administers import clearance.
🇸🇸 South Sudan — Nairobi-Supplied Frontier Market
South Sudan (13M population) is supplied almost entirely through Kenya — either via the Nimule border crossing (the Kampala–Juba corridor, ~900km from Nairobi via Malaba/Kampala) or via air freight to Juba for urgent supply. South Sudan’s formal retail is extremely limited — Juba’s grocery sector is dominated by imported packaged goods through Nairobi distributors and informal traders. South Sudan uses the South Sudanese Pound alongside USD; most B2B cross-border trade is USD-denominated. Security and logistics constraints make South Sudan a specialist frontier market, but Nairobi-based regional distributors with EAC trade experience supply Juba regularly.
🇧🇮 Burundi & 🇨🇩 Eastern DRC — Deep Hinterland
Burundi (13M) and eastern DRC (Kivu, Ituri — combined population 20M+) receive canned tuna via Kenya through the Mombasa–Nairobi–Malaba–Kampala–Bujumbura/Goma corridor. Bujumbura (Burundi) is approximately 1,700km from Nairobi by road via Kampala and Kigali. Eastern DRC — the cities of Goma, Bukavu, Butembo — are frontier markets supplied by Rwandan and Ugandan traders who transit Kenya-sourced canned tuna across the DRC border. EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) procedures simplify transit for goods moving from Mombasa through multiple EAC member states to final destination — a significant logistics advantage for regional distributors managing multi-country supply chains.
The EAC Single Customs Territory allows importers to lodge a single customs declaration at the port of entry (Mombasa) covering the entire transit journey to the final destination EAC member state — eliminating intermediate customs examinations at each border crossing. For canned tuna destined for Uganda, Rwanda, or Burundi, the KEBS CoC and full document set are lodged with KRA at Mombasa, a single EAC SCT declaration is registered, and the goods move under electronic cargo tracking from Mombasa to destination without physical border examination at Malaba, Katuna, or Cyanika. We prepare EAC SCT-compatible documentation for Kenyan importers who are regional distributors managing multi-country EAC supply chains.
Six Kenyan Buyer Types — From Carrefour to EAC Regional Distributors
Kenya’s buyer landscape spans international modern retail (Carrefour), national champions (Naivas, QuickMart), Nairobi wholesale markets, institutional UN/NGO procurement, and East African regional FMCG distributors — each requiring KEBS certification and KS 70 compliance as the entry condition.
Carrefour Kenya — Modern Retail Leader
Carrefour Kenya (operated by Majid Al Futtaim, who hold the Carrefour franchise for Africa and the Middle East) is Kenya’s largest single modern retail brand — operating 10+ hypermarkets and supermarkets in Nairobi (Two Rivers, Sarit Centre, Hub Karen, Garden City, The Mall, Thika Road Mall) and in Mombasa. Carrefour Kenya’s ambient fish category buyer manages both branded canned tuna (various imported brands) and Carrefour own-brand SKUs. Carrefour’s central buying team evaluates canned tuna suppliers on KEBS certification, KS 70 label compliance, product quality specification, and competitive landed cost pricing. Carrefour’s East African operations extend to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Egypt — a Carrefour Kenya supplier relationship can open the broader MAF East Africa procurement network.
Naivas Supermarkets — Kenyan National Champion
Naivas Supermarkets is Kenya’s largest locally-owned supermarket chain — operating 96+ stores across Kenya in all major urban centres (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Thika, Nyeri). Naivas is the highest-volume Kenyan supermarket for everyday grocery items including canned tuna — its broad national footprint reaching Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities gives it a consumer reach that exceeds Carrefour’s premium urban focus. Naivas’ buying is centralised in Nairobi with a category buyer managing ambient proteins. Naivas favours value-positioned canned tuna — 170g skipjack in brine at competitive retail price points — and has developed its own Naivas brand private label range in selected categories.
QuickMart & Eastmatt — Growth Retailers
QuickMart (60+ stores, merger of Tumaini and QuickMart chains) and Eastmatt (30+ stores, strong in Nairobi’s Eastlands and Mount Kenya region) are Kenya’s second-tier modern retailers — rapidly expanding their store networks outside Nairobi into smaller urban centres across all 47 counties. Both chains are important for canned tuna importers seeking national retail distribution beyond the premium Carrefour/Naivas channel. QuickMart and Eastmatt buy centrally and manage category assortment with a focus on fast-turning, value-positioned SKUs — 170g brine skipjack is the core canned tuna SKU at both chains. Clean N Chic, Cleanshelf, and Mega Mart are additional growing Kenyan retail chains in secondary cities.
Nairobi Wholesale Markets — Gikomba & Wakulima
Nairobi’s wholesale markets — particularly Gikomba (East Africa’s largest second-hand goods and dry goods wholesale market) and Wakulima Market (fresh and packaged food wholesale) — are the primary distribution channels for canned tuna reaching Nairobi’s independent retailers, kiosks, and the dukas (corner shops) that serve the vast majority of Kenyan consumers outside formal supermarkets. Wholesale traders at Gikomba and Wakulima purchase canned tuna by the full carton (24 or 48 tins) and redistribute to Nairobi’s 47 constituencies and via regional traders to all 47 Kenyan counties. The wholesale channel is price-driven — skipjack in brine at the keenest import cost is the core traded product.
Institutional & NGO Procurement — Nairobi Hub
Nairobi’s status as host to 60+ UN agencies, the African Union liaison, international NGO headquarters, and major multinational companies creates a distinctive institutional procurement market for canned tuna. The World Food Programme (WFP), UNHCR, and other UN agencies operate significant food procurement programmes through Nairobi — purchasing canned tuna for refugee camp food baskets in Kenya (Dadaab, Kakuma), Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. WFP procurement follows strict supplier quality standards (HACCP, FSSC 22000 minimum) and competitive tender processes. Nairobi-based institutional procurement agents manage canned tuna supply to the East African humanitarian aid market — a niche but substantial volume channel.
East African FMCG Distributors — Regional Reach
Nairobi hosts the regional headquarters of the major East African FMCG distribution companies — including Unilever Kenya’s distribution network, Kapa Oil Refineries distributors, Pwani Oil’s wholesale network, and a cluster of specialist food importers who distribute across the EAC. These regional distributors purchase canned tuna in full container loads (FCL) from Nairobi-based importers or directly via their own import licences, and distribute via their established sales forces covering Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan. A relationship with a Nairobi-based regional FMCG distributor is the most efficient route to EAC-wide canned tuna distribution from a single commercial relationship.
Six Kenyan Product Formats — Brine Standard to WFP Institutional Supply
Kenya’s canned tuna market spans mainstream brine retail, sunflower oil, a uniquely Kenyan chilli/flavoured segment, skipjack wholesale, yellowfin premium, and bulk institutional supply for WFP East Africa — all requiring KEBS CoC per shipment and KS 70 label compliance.
170g in Brine — Kenya’s Volume Format
The 170g net / 80g drained weight easy-open tin in brine is Kenya’s dominant retail format — the standard SKU stocked by Carrefour, Naivas, QuickMart, Eastmatt, and all wholesale channels. Brine represents approximately 60% of Kenya’s canned tuna retail volume. Kenyan label requirements: KS 70-compliant species name (‘skipjack tuna’), English-language ingredients list, net and drained weight in grams, country of manufacture, importer’s name and address in Kenya, best-before date. We produce 170g brine in 24-can cartons (the Kenyan retail standard) with full KS 70-compliant label artwork and KEBS pre-shipment CoC documentation per consignment.
170g in Sunflower Oil — Secondary Format
The 170g tin in sunflower oil is Kenya’s second retail format — accounting for approximately 35% of canned tuna retail volume, stocked alongside brine across all major retailers. Oil-packed tuna commands a modest price premium at Kenyan retail and is preferred by certain consumer segments (coastal Mombasa consumers, older demographic, foodservice). For wholesale trade into West Kenya (Kisumu, Eldoret) and across the Uganda border, sunflower oil tuna often moves in equal proportion to brine — Ugandan consumer preference is similar to Kenyan inland markets. We produce 170g sunflower oil with the same KS 70 compliance and KEBS documentation as our brine format.
Chilli & Flavoured Variants — Kenya’s Unique Growing Segment
Kenya is unique among East African markets in having a meaningful and growing consumer demand for flavoured canned tuna variants — particularly chilli-flavoured (tuna in chilli sauce or tuna in hot oil with chilli), tomato sauce, and lemon pepper formats. This is driven by Nairobi’s young, urban consumer base (median age 19.7 years in Kenya nationally) and by the influence of Kenyan food bloggers and social media on grocery purchasing decisions. Carrefour Kenya and Naivas both stock flavoured canned tuna variants as premium-tier SKUs. We produce chilli/flavoured canned tuna variants to Kenyan market specification — with KS 70-compliant labelling declaring all flavouring agents in the ingredients list as required by Kenya Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act.
Skipjack — Volume & Wholesale Grade
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is the primary species in Kenya’s mainstream retail and wholesale channels — the species underlying all high-volume, price-competitive trade at Nairobi’s Gikomba and Wakulima wholesale markets, and the standard SKU at Naivas, QuickMart, and Eastmatt. KS 70 requires skipjack to be labelled as ‘skipjack tuna’ (not generic ‘tuna’) on the principal display panel. We produce skipjack tuna to KS 70 specification with drained weight minimum of 70% of net weight, consistent flesh colour, and DNA-traceable species documentation available for KEBS inspection review.
Yellowfin — Carrefour & Premium Channel
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is Kenya’s premium canned tuna species — stocked by Carrefour Kenya and in the premium tier at Naivas and upmarket independent retailers in Nairobi’s Karen, Westlands, and Gigiri suburbs. Yellowfin in brine or spring water in the 170g format is the premium Kenyan retail SKU, priced at a significant premium over skipjack. Yellowfin is also preferred for institutional procurement (WFP, UN agency canteens) where product quality standards are higher than mainstream retail. We produce yellowfin in brine and spring water with KS 70 species labelling compliance.
Bulk Catering — WFP & Institutional Supply
The World Food Programme’s East Africa regional operations, UNHCR Kenya (managing Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps), and Nairobi’s hotel and catering sector purchase canned tuna in bulk catering format — 1.7kg gross weight tins for high-volume institutional use. WFP tenders require HACCP or FSSC 22000 certification from the manufacturer, strict COA and shelf-life documentation per batch, and compliance with Codex Alimentarius standards for canned fish. We produce bulk catering tins to WFP and UN agency tender specifications with full food safety documentation — FSSC 22000 certificate, batch-specific COA, and species authentication documentation.
Kenya Canned Tuna Import — FAQ
What is KEBS and why is the Certificate of Conformity required for every Kenya shipment?
KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards) administers the Import Standardisation Mark (ISM) programme — a mandatory pre-shipment quality certification system for imported goods in Kenya’s standards schedule. Every shipment of imported canned tuna must be inspected and certified by a KEBS-approved inspection agency (Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek, or COTECNA) before the vessel sails. The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by the inspection agency confirms that the product meets Kenya Standard KS 70 (canned fish). Without a valid CoC, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will not release the consignment at the Port of Mombasa or Embakasi ICD. The CoC is a per-shipment document — a new CoC is required for every export to Kenya, unlike NAFDAC in Nigeria which is a one-time product registration.
How does the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) affect my shipment timeline?
The SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) operates freight services from Mombasa ICD to Nairobi’s Embakasi ICD in 4–6 hours, replacing the 10–20 hour road journey. Under Kenya Ports Authority policy, most import containers must be moved by SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi — road transport requires specific exemption. Once your container arrives at Mombasa port, the typical timeline is: container vessel discharge → KPA berth → Mombasa ICD → SGR loading → Embakasi ICD arrival (2–5 days total port-to-ICD depending on port congestion and customs pre-lodgement status). Pre-lodging the customs entry with KRA using the KEBS CoC and shipping documents before vessel arrival significantly reduces port release time and minimises SGR storage fees at Embakasi.
What is the EAC import duty rate on canned tuna?
Canned tuna imported into Kenya (and all EAC Partner States) is classified under HS Code 1604.14 and attracts the EAC Common External Tariff (CET) rate of 25% on CIF value — the same rate across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and DRC. Additional levies at the Kenyan point of entry include: Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 3.5% of CIF value; Railway Development Levy (RDL) of 2.5% of CIF value; and VAT of 16% on the CIF + duty total. Kenya VAT-registered importers recover VAT at their periodic return. Licensed KRA clearing agents handle correct tariff classification and duty calculation at Mombasa or Embakasi ICD.
Do you supply canned tuna for WFP and UN agency procurement in Kenya?
Yes — we supply canned tuna to institutional procurement specifications including WFP East Africa tender requirements. WFP procurement requires FSSC 22000 or equivalent HACCP-based food safety certification, batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, Codex Alimentarius-compliant product specification, species authentication documentation, and a minimum shelf life of 24 months remaining on delivery. We maintain FSSC 22000 certification and can provide the complete WFP documentation package — product specification sheet, food safety certificate, batch CoA, and KEBS pre-shipment CoC — for institutional tender submissions. Contact us with the specific WFP tender reference number and we will provide a formal quotation and documentation pack.
Can you supply the full EAC region from a single Kenya-based order?
Yes — working through Nairobi-based regional FMCG distributors or direct EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT) procedures, a single FOB or CIF Mombasa shipment can be distributed across the entire EAC: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia (via Moyale). The EAC SCT allows goods to be cleared once at Mombasa under a single declaration and transit to any EAC member state without re-examination at intermediate borders. For importers who are regional distributors, we provide EAC SCT-compatible shipping documentation — Certificate of Origin (EAC Form CO), combined commercial invoice/packing list showing multiple EAC destination consignees, and KEBS CoC covering the full consignment.
What labelling is required for canned tuna sold in Kenya?
Canned tuna labels sold in Kenya must comply with Kenya Standard KS 70 (canned fish specification) and the Kenya Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act. Required label declarations: species common name (‘skipjack tuna’ or ‘yellowfin tuna’ — ‘tuna’ alone is not KS 70 compliant); full ingredients list in English in descending order of mass; net weight and drained weight in grams; country of manufacture; best-before date; name and address of the Kenyan importer; and storage instructions. All declarations must be in English. We produce KS 70-compliant label artwork for Kenyan importers as a standard part of our export documentation package — including the species name declaration, metric weight panels, and importer address block.
What is the transit time from Southeast Asia to Mombasa?
Transit time from major Southeast Asian canned tuna export ports to Mombasa varies by routing: from Thailand (Bangkok/Laem Chabang) on direct service: approximately 18–20 days. From Indonesia (Surabaya, Jakarta) via Singapore or Port Klang: approximately 20–22 days. Via Colombo (Sri Lanka) transhipment from SE Asia: approximately 22–26 days depending on transhipment waiting time and vessel rotation. From China (Guangzhou, Shekou): 18–22 days direct. Most Southeast Asia–Mombasa services call at Singapore, Port Klang (Malaysia), and/or Colombo before crossing the Indian Ocean to Mombasa. We provide a pre-alert with ETD/ETA confirmation when the booking is confirmed, enabling Kenyan importers to pre-lodge the KRA customs entry and KEBS CoC before vessel arrival.
Which Nairobi wholesale markets are important for canned tuna distribution?
The two primary Nairobi wholesale markets for canned tuna are: Gikomba Market (East Africa’s largest informal wholesale market, in Nairobi’s Eastlands) — where traders purchase canned goods by the full carton and redistribute to Nairobi’s 47 constituency markets and via regional traders to all 47 Kenyan counties; and Wakulima Market (City Market area) — primarily fresh produce but with a significant dry goods wholesale section used by Nairobi’s independent grocery retailers. Additionally, the Kongowea Market in Mombasa serves as the wholesale distribution hub for canned goods reaching the coast and Kilifi/Kwale/Lamu counties. WholesaleCity (industrial area, Nairobi) and various importers’ warehouse sales points along Mombasa Road in Industrial Area also serve cash-and-carry wholesale buyers.
Kenya & EAC Export Capabilities
From KEBS Certificate of Conformity per shipment and KS 70 label compliance through to WFP institutional tender documentation, EAC Single Customs Territory support, and SGR Embakasi ICD-compatible shipping — everything Kenya’s most demanding importers and EAC regional distributors require.
Explore More African Markets We Supply
Top Tide Canning exports canned tuna across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Explore related East African and EAC markets below.
Request a Kenya Export Quotation
Tell us your buyer type (Carrefour, Naivas, QuickMart, wholesale, WFP institutional, or EAC regional distributor), product format (170g brine or sunflower oil, chilli variant, skipjack or yellowfin, or bulk catering), and volume. We respond within one business day with CIF Mombasa pricing, KEBS Certificate of Conformity coordination details, and our full KS 70-compliant label artwork and documentation package for Kenya and EAC market entry.
KEBS Certified · KS 70 Compliant · EAC SCT Ready · CIF Mombasa · WFP Institutional Grade