How much is marine cargo insurance in Kenya?
Most import cargo costs about 0.15% to 0.6% of the insured value, according to industry and market estimates, with minimum premiums of about KES 2,500 to 5,000 a shipment. The insured value is usually the CIF value plus 10%. On KES 2 million of goods that is roughly KES 3,600 to 14,500 before the levies. Use our marine cargo insurance guide for what the cover includes.
Price signals in the Kenyan market
| What | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Digital marine cover on imports (industry estimate) | about 0.15% of cargo value | About KES 30,000 on a KES 20 million vehicle |
| Average rate implied by market-size estimates | about 0.3% – 0.6% of import value | Planning estimate only |
| Published minimum premiums (two insurers) | KES 2,500 – 5,000 | The least you pay for one shipment |
| War and strikes extension | about 0.05% of cargo value | Market estimate; listed war zones cost more |
| Sum insured | CIF value + 10% | Some insurers allow 10% – 20% for extra costs |
Marine cargo insurance: price signals in Kenya (October 2026)
- Figure
- about 0.15% of cargo value
- Basis
- About KES 30,000 on a KES 20 million vehicle
- Figure
- about 0.3% – 0.6% of import value
- Basis
- Planning estimate only
- Figure
- KES 2,500 – 5,000
- Basis
- The least you pay for one shipment
- Figure
- about 0.05% of cargo value
- Basis
- Market estimate; listed war zones cost more
- Figure
- CIF value + 10%
- Basis
- Some insurers allow 10% – 20% for extra costs
How a marine premium is worked out
- Sum insured = invoice value + freight (the CIF value) + an uplift, usually 10%.
- Premium = sum insured × the rate for your goods, route and cover level.
- If that is below the insurer's minimum premium, you pay the minimum.
- War and strikes, if added, are charged on top.
- Then the PHCF levy (0.25%), the training levy and stamp duty are added.
More on Marine insurance calculator
Worked example: a container of general goods
Worked example
- Invoice value
- KES 2,000,000
- Freight to Mombasa
- KES 200,000
- CIF value
- KES 2,200,000
- Sum insured (CIF + 10%)
- KES 2,420,000
- Premium at 0.15% – 0.6%
- KES 3,630 – 14,520
- PHCF levy (0.25% of premium)
- KES 9 – 36
- Estimated total, before training levy and stamp duty
- KES 3,640 – 14,560
Where the goods are fragile, used or easy to steal, expect the upper end or above.
Worked example: an imported car
Worked example
- Vehicle value (CIF)
- KES 3,000,000
- Sum insured (CIF + 10%)
- KES 3,300,000
- Premium at about 0.15%
- KES 4,950
- PHCF levy
- KES 12
- Estimated total, before training levy and stamp duty
- KES 4,960
The industry estimate behind the 0.15% rate gives about KES 30,000 on a KES 20 million vehicle.
Charges added to the premium
| Charge | How much | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Policyholders' Compensation Fund levy | 0.25% of the premium | The insurer pays another 0.25% itself |
| Insurance training levy | A small percentage of the premium | Set under the Insurance Act; shown on your invoice |
| Stamp duty | A fixed amount per policy | A marine policy is not valid until it is stamped |
Charges added to a marine cargo premium in Kenya
- How much
- 0.25% of the premium
- Notes
- The insurer pays another 0.25% itself
- How much
- A small percentage of the premium
- Notes
- Set under the Insurance Act; shown on your invoice
- How much
- A fixed amount per policy
- Notes
- A marine policy is not valid until it is stamped
What makes cargo cover cost more or less
- The goods: fragile, perishable, high-theft or used goods cost more than robust new goods.
- Cover level: ICC (A) all risks costs more than (B) or (C).
- Packing: containerised and well-packed cargo is cheaper than loose or break-bulk.
- Route and vessel: war-listed areas such as the Red Sea, transhipments and older ships cost more.
- Your claims history and how often you ship.
- The excess you accept.
Ways to pay less without losing cover
- Buy on CFR terms so you are not paying for the supplier's insurance as well as your own.
- Insure the right value: CIF + 10%, not more and not less.
- Ship regularly? An open cover avoids paying a minimum premium on every small shipment.
- Pack and containerise well, and declare the HS code correctly.
- Compare insurers: the rate for the same cargo varies, so we quote several.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is marine cargo insurance in Kenya?
Insurers do not publish rates, but market estimates put most import cargo at about 0.15% to 0.6% of the insured value, with minimum premiums of about KES 2,500 to 5,000 a shipment. On goods worth KES 2 million that is roughly KES 3,600 to 14,500 before levies. Fragile, high-theft or used goods cost more.
How is the marine cargo premium calculated?
Work out the sum insured first: invoice value plus freight (the CIF value) plus an uplift, usually 10%, for costs you would lose. Multiply it by the rate for your goods, route and cover level, apply the minimum premium, then add the 0.25% PHCF levy, the training levy and stamp duty.
What value should I insure my cargo for?
Most insurers expect the CIF value plus 10%. Some accept 10% to 20% for clearing, duty and other costs. If you insure for less than the goods are worth, the insurer can reduce a claim in proportion, so do not under-declare to save premium.
What levies are added to a marine premium?
Three charges are added to the premium: the Policyholders' Compensation Fund levy of 0.25%, the insurance training levy and stamp duty. Your invoice shows each one.
Is war and strikes cover included?
Usually not. War, strikes, riots and civil commotion are added with the Institute War and Strikes Clauses for an extra premium, which market estimates put at about 0.05% of the cargo value. Routes through listed war zones, such as the Red Sea since 2024, can cost much more.
Is there an excess on marine cargo claims?
Usually yes. Insurers set the excess in the quote, often as a fixed amount or a percentage of the claim, and it can be higher for theft, used goods or fragile items. No Kenyan insurer publishes standard excess figures, so compare them when you compare quotes.
How much is marine insurance for an imported car?
An industry estimate puts it at about 0.15% of the vehicle's value: about KES 30,000 on a KES 20 million car, or about KES 4,500 on a KES 3 million car, before levies. Older or high-value cars and ro-ro shipping can cost more, and minimum premiums apply.
When is an open cover worth it?
Usually once you ship regularly, about once a month or more. It saves repeat minimum premiums and paperwork, and an undeclared shipment is still covered if you forgot it in good faith. For one or two shipments a year, a single-transit policy is simpler.
Which is the best marine insurance company in Kenya?
There is no single best one. GA, Britam, Geminia, Mayfair and ICEA LION wrote the most marine premium in 2023, but the right insurer for you depends on your goods, route, cover level and how claims are handled. We compare quotes from several insurers for each shipment.
Want an exact figure?
Send your goods, value and route. We compare quotes from several Kenyan insurers so you see the real premium, levies included.
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Sources
- Eastleigh Voice, July 2026
- Naveah Capital review of 33 Kenyan insurer websites, 18 October 2026
- Insurance (PCF) Regulations 2010, reg. 9(3)
- The EastAfrican, 31 July 2025
- Business Daily, January 2025, citing IRA data
- Published minimum premiums, an industry-body estimate and anonymised market estimates, gathered October 2026; PHCF levy from the Insurance (PCF) Regulations 2010
Facts and published prices checked 18 Oct 2026; last reviewed October 2026 by Naveah Capital. Rates shown are market estimates before levies, not a quote or a promise. Naveah Capital Insurance Agency is an IRA-licensed insurance agency in Nairobi; this page is general information, and your policy wording decides your cover.
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