Swahili Logistics Glossary: Essential Terms for Kenyan Importers
25 August 2026 · By Heights Cargo · Customs & Clearance
Kiswahili Glossary for Importers: Shipping Terms Every Kenyan Trader Should Know
Shipping and logistics is full of English jargon that does not always translate directly into Kiswahili. For Kenyan traders who communicate with suppliers, clearing agents, and customers in Kiswahili, knowing the right terms helps avoid misunderstandings at the port, the airport, and the warehouse.
This glossary covers the most common shipping, customs, and logistics terms used in Kenyan import trade, with Kiswahili translations and plain-English explanations.
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General Shipping Terms
| English Term | Kiswahili | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping / Freight | Usafirishaji | The act of moving cargo by sea or air |
| Consignment | Mzigo / Kifungu cha mizigo | A single shipment of goods |
| Cargo | Mizigo | Goods being transported |
| Bill of Lading | Cheti cha usafirishaji baharini | Contract between shipper and carrier for sea freight |
| Air Waybill | Cheti cha usafirishaji wa anga | Contract for air cargo |
| Container | Kontena | Standard metal box for sea freight (20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC) |
| Pallet | Paleti | Wooden platform for stacking and moving goods |
| Carton | Kati / Sanduku la karatasi | A shipping box |
| Warehouse | Ghala / Jumba la kuhifadhi | Storage facility |
| Port | Bandari | Where ships dock (e.g., Mombasa) |
| Airport | Uwanja wa ndege | Where planes land (e.g., JKIA) |
| Customs | Forodha | Government authority that collects duty on imports |
| Clearing agent | Mfanyabiashara wa forodha | Licensed person who clears goods through customs |
| Freight forwarder | Mchukua mizigo | Company that arranges transport from origin to destination |
| LCL | Mizigo mdogo | Less than Container Load — multiple shippers share one container |
| FCL | Kontena kamili | Full Container Load — one shipper fills the entire container |
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Kenyan Customs Terms
| English Term | Kiswahili | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | Ushuru wa forodha | Tax paid to KRA on imported goods |
| VAT | Kuthamini | 16% tax on landed cost (value + duty + IDF) |
| Import Declaration Fee | Ada ya kutoa taarifa za uingizaji | 2.25% fee paid to KRA |
| KRA PIN | Namba ya PIN ya KRA | Personal Identification Number for tax purposes |
| HS Code | Kodi ya kimataifa ya bidhaa | Harmonized System code for classifying goods |
| Commercial invoice | Ankara ya mauzo ya kawaida | Document showing value of goods sold |
| Packing list | Orodha ya mizigo | Document listing what is in each carton |
| Certificate of Origin | Cheti cha asili | Document proving where goods were made |
| Import Permit | Leseni ya kuuza | Government permit for regulated goods |
| PVoC | Uthibitisho wa viwango kabla ya kusafirisha | Pre-Export Verification of Conformity |
| IDF | Ada ya kuanzisha taarifa | Import Declaration Fee |
| Railway Levy | Ada ya reli | 1.5% charge on certain imports |
| Clearance | Usafishaji forodhani | Process of getting goods released by KRA |
| Release | Kutoa huru | When KRA approves cargo for collection |
| Examination | Uchunguzi | KRA physical check of cargo |
| Green channel | njia ya kijani | No physical examination, immediate release |
| Red channel | Njia ya rangi nyekundu | Physical examination required |
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Logistics and Transport Terms
| English Term | Kiswahili | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Door to door | Mlango hadi mlango | Collection from supplier, delivery to importer's address |
| Last mile | Maili ya mwisho | Final delivery to customer's door |
| Transit time | Muda wa usafirishaji | Time from collection to delivery |
| Chargeable weight | Uzito unaolipwa | Greater of actual weight and volumetric weight |
| Volumetric weight | Uzito wa ujazo | Calculated weight based on dimensions |
| Dimensional weight | Uzito wa vipimo | Same as volumetric weight |
| Demurrage | Ada ya kukawia | Charge for holding cargo beyond free time |
| Storage | Hifadhi | Charge for keeping cargo in port warehouse |
| Tracking | Kufuatilia | Monitoring shipment location |
| Consolidation | Kuunganisha mizigo | Combining multiple shipments into one |
| Deconsolidation | Kugawa mizigo | Separating consolidated shipment |
| Transshipment | Kubadilisha usafirishaji | Transferring cargo between ships/planes |
| Bonded warehouse | Ghala la bondi | Warehouse where goods are stored before duty payment |
| Free time | Muda wa bure | Free storage period at port before demurrage charges apply |
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Insurance and Finance Terms
| English Term | Kiswahili | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo insurance | Bima ya mizigo | Insurance covering loss or damage to goods in transit |
| Premium | Ada ya bima | Amount paid for insurance |
| Claim | Madai | Request to insurer for compensation after loss/damage |
| Invoice | Ankara | Bill for goods or services |
| Proforma invoice | Ankara ya awali | Preliminary invoice for customs valuation |
| Letter of Credit | Barua ya mkopo | Bank guarantee of payment for international trade |
| Bill of Exchange | Hawala | Order to pay a sum of money |
| Exchange rate | Kiasi cha sarafu | Rate at which one currency converts to another |
| Incoterm | Masharti ya mauzo | International commercial terms defining buyer/seller responsibilities |
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Documents You Will Encounter
| Document | Kiswahili | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Ankari ya mauzo | Proof of value for customs |
| Packing List | Orodha ya mizigo | Details of each carton |
| Bill of Lading | Cheti cha baharini | Sea freight contract |
| Air Waybill | Cheti cha ndege | Air freight contract |
| Certificate of Origin | Cheti cha asili | Where goods were made |
| Import Declaration Form | Fomu ya kuingiza mizigo | KRA entry form |
| IDF receipt | Risiti ya IDF | Proof of IDF payment |
| PVoC certificate | Cheti cha viwango | Proof of product compliance |
| Insurance certificate | Cheti cha bima | Proof of cargo insurance |
| Delivery order | Amri ya kusambaza | Authorisation to collect cargo from port |
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Practical Phrases for Kenyan Importers
| Situation | Kiswahili Phrase |
|---|---|
| "Where is my cargo?" | "Mizigo yangu iko wapi?" |
| "How much is the duty?" | "Ushuru ni kiasi gani?" |
| "Can you clear my goods?" | "Unaweza kusafisha mizigo yangu?" |
| "I need a quotation" | "Ninahitaji pendekezo la bei" |
| "When will it arrive?" | "Litawasili lini?" |
| "Is my cargo released?" | "Mizigo yangu umetolewa huru?" |
| "Send me the documents" | "Nitume nyaraka" |
| "I have paid" | "Nimelipa" |
| "What is the HS code?" | "Ni kodi gani ya bidhaa?" |
| "I need an import permit" | "Ninahitaji leseni ya kuuza" |
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How Heights Cargo Supports Kenyan Importers
We understand that importing involves more than shipping. That is why we:
- Provide all documents in English (standard for KRA)
- Offer WhatsApp support in English and Kiswahili
- Explain duty and VAT in plain terms before you book
- Guide you through HS codes, permits, and PVoC
- Deliver to any address in Kenya with Kiswahili-speaking drivers where needed
Get started: WhatsApp +254 769 955 505 or email inquiry@heightscargo.com. Ask us anything — in English or Kiswahili.