Most air freight from the US to East Africa connects through a hub such as Addis Ababa before reaching gateways like Nairobi, so the real transit time depends on the connection. On the US side, a shipment worth more than $2,500 per Schedule B number needs Electronic Export Information filed before loading; on the Kenyan side, duties follow the East African Community tariff.
Key takeaways
- Few US to East Africa routings are nonstop; plan for a connection and ask for the full routing, not just the origin and destination airports.
- The US exporter or its agent files the EEI when the value under any one Schedule B number is over $2,500 or a license is required.
- Kenya applies the East African Community Common External Tariff, plus VAT of 16% and an import declaration fee, according to the US International Trade Administration.
- African airlines carry 2.1% of world air cargo traffic, and their capacity grew 14.0% in August 2026 against demand growth of 3.0%, according to IATA.
- Match the invoice, packing list and air waybill exactly, and get the consignee's tax registration sorted before the cargo flies.
How does air freight get from the US to East Africa?
Most US to East Africa air freight connects through a hub, with Addis Ababa and the Gulf and European hubs the usual choices, before landing at a gateway such as Nairobi.
Direct freighter service between the two regions is thin. Carriers that run a hub-and-spoke network collect cargo from many origins, consolidate it at the hub and send it on. Ethiopian Cargo describes a trans-shipment hub at Addis Ababa airport with a warehouse facility and a network of freighter and passenger services that targets the African region. Ethiopian also began freighter flights from Addis Ababa to Miami in 2018, reported by STAT Times, which shows how a hub carrier ties an American gateway into its African network. Schedules change, so confirm the current routing with the airline or your forwarder rather than relying on an old announcement.
In practice you will see three routing patterns:
- Via an African hub such as Addis Ababa, then a short onward flight to Nairobi, Entebbe, Dar es Salaam or another East African airport.
- Via a Gulf or European hub, where a US airline or partner carries the freight across the Atlantic and a second carrier takes it south.
- Charter for large or urgent loads, which can fly point to point. See our guide to air charter versus scheduled freighter capacity.
What should you compare between routings?
Compare the whole journey, not just the headline flight time: connection time, how often the second leg operates and who handles the cargo in between.
| Factor | Single-hub routing | Two-carrier routing | Charter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Regular general cargo | When the hub carrier has no space or no US gateway near you | Large, outsize or urgent loads |
| Handling points | One transfer at the hub | Transfer between carriers | Direct, if the aircraft can land at both ends |
| Main risk | Missed connection or hub congestion | Interline delays and document mismatches | Cost and flight permits |
| What to ask for | Cut-off times and onward frequency | Which airline holds the master air waybill | Landing and ground-handling at destination |
Our guide to how long air freight takes explains why transit estimates are never guarantees, and why a Friday cut-off can cost you a weekend.
What does the US exporter have to file?
If the value of the goods under any one Schedule B number is over $2,500, or an export license is required, the US exporter or its authorized agent must file Electronic Export Information (EEI).
The US International Trade Administration's EEI page says the filing is made in the Automated Export System by the US Principal Party in Interest, or its authorized agent, and that proof of filing, an exclusion or an exemption citation must be given to the carrier. The citation must appear on the commercial loading document before the goods are loaded on the aircraft. Shipments at or below $2,500 per Schedule B number are exempt unless a mandatory filing applies, and shipments to Canada are exempt regardless of value. Note that the test applies to each Schedule B line, not to the invoice total, so a mixed shipment can need an EEI even when no single item looks expensive.
Controlled items need extra care. Batteries and other dangerous goods also require the right paperwork and packaging; start with our overview of the nine dangerous goods classes.
What happens in customs at the East African end?
The importer needs to be registered and ready before the aircraft lands; the duty bill is set by the destination country's tariff, not by the airline.
Kenya is the most common entry point, so it is a useful example. The US International Trade Administration's Kenya guide says Kenya applies the East African Community Common External Tariff, with customs duties set per product and an average of 25%, with higher duty on sensitive items. It lists a standard VAT rate of 16% levied on the CIF value plus duty and other taxes, an import declaration fee of 3.5% and a railway development levy of 2%. It also notes that the 2023 Finance Act introduced an export and investment promotion levy on specified goods. Treat these as planning figures: rates change with each budget, so check your product's classification with the Kenya Revenue Authority or a licensed clearing agent before you quote a landed cost.
KRA's cargo clearance runs through its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS). Its 2019 notice said house manifests must include the courier or consolidator PIN to allow deconsolidation, which is why the consignee's tax registration should be settled early. Other East African countries have their own systems and rates, so ask a local agent about Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda before you book.
What documents and packing tips prevent delays?
Make the commercial invoice, packing list and air waybill agree on every description, value, piece count and weight, and package for several handling points.
- Commercial invoice with the consignee's full name, address, tax number, a full product description, HS code, value and Incoterm. See our Incoterms guide.
- Packing list with piece counts, weights and dimensions that match the air waybill.
- Product certificates or permits for regulated goods such as food, plants or medicines, which the destination agency may require before release.
- Robust packaging, because a connecting routing means extra transfers.
- Weight and volume checked with the air freight cost calculator, because airlines charge on the higher of actual and volumetric weight.
Is the market tight or loose right now?
African capacity is growing faster than demand, but African carriers still handle a small share of world traffic.
IATA's August 2026 data shows African airlines' cargo demand up 3.0% year on year while capacity rose 14.0%, and the region accounts for 2.1% of world air cargo traffic. Those are regional figures, not a rate quote for any US lane, and IATA's release does not report the North America to Africa lane. Because the free weekly price indexes focus on other lanes, collect written quotes and compare them on the same chargeable weight and the same Incoterm.
If the cargo is heavy and not urgent, our air freight vs sea freight comparison shows when the slower mode wins. The China side of the same region is covered in our guide to air freight from China to Africa. For general cargo, Jumbo Air Cargo arranges air freight worldwide through partners under its JumboGeneral service; ask for a quote on your specific lane, and follow shipments on the AWB tracking page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does air freight from the US to East Africa take?
Airport to airport it usually takes several days, because most routings connect through a hub. Transit depends on the connection time and on clearance at destination, so ask for the full routing and treat any transit time as an estimate, not a guarantee.
Do I need to file an EEI for a shipment to Kenya?
Yes, if the value of the goods under any single Schedule B number is over $2,500, or if an export license is required. Lower-value shipments are exempt from EEI filing but must carry the correct exemption citation.
What duties apply to goods imported into Kenya?
Kenya applies the East African Community Common External Tariff, with VAT of 16% on the CIF value plus duty, an import declaration fee of 3.5% and a railway development levy of 2%, according to the US International Trade Administration. Check the exact rate for your product with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Is there a published air freight rate index for US to East Africa?
The free weekly indexes mostly report major lanes such as China to North America and China to Europe, not US to East Africa. Get written quotes for your specific lane and compare them on chargeable weight.
Sources
- US Trade.gov: Electronic Export Information (EEI)
- US Trade.gov: Kenya import tariffs (Country Commercial Guide)
- IATA: Air Cargo Demand Grows 4.4% in August (September 29, 2026)
- Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services: Trans-shipment
- Kenya Revenue Authority: Implementation of iCMS for cargo clearance (13 June 2019)
