Sell to Kenya from China: A Guide for Chinese Suppliers
Kenya buys a great deal of security, power and IT equipment from China, but finding reliable buyers, collecting payment and clearing goods at the port are where many exporters struggle. Qyvea Limited, a company in Nairobi, removes those three problems: you list your products, Qyvea finds the customer, handles shipping and import, and pays you.
1. Why Kenya, and why through Qyvea
Businesses, estates, schools and institutions across Kenya constantly need CCTV, access control, networking, solar and electrical equipment, and much of it is imported. Qyvea Limited supplies and installs this equipment and runs an online store, so it has buyers asking for products every day. Instead of building your own sales team in Nairobi, you list your products and Qyvea brings the order to you.
2. What you do, and what Qyvea does
- You: list products, quote your price, prepare the goods, send them to the delivery point Qyvea names.
- Qyvea: finds the customer, handles all customer contact, arranges freight beyond the delivery point, import duty and clearance in Kenya, delivery to the customer, and your payment.
- You never deal with the end customer, and the customer never sees your details.
3. Step by step
- Create a free supplier account and choose Outside Kenya (international). Pick your country and the currency you price in.
- Add as many products as you like to your list, then upload them all in one go. Your work is saved automatically, so closing the page by mistake loses nothing. Photos can be in any format: they are converted to WebP when you upload.
- For each product enter your price, units in stock and the days it takes to reach Nairobi.
- Qyvea reviews each new product and publishes it in the store's International tab, showing where it ships from and how long it takes.
- When a customer orders, you get an alert on your phone and by email. Send your best price before the timer ends.
- If your offer is chosen, prepare the goods and mark the order dispatched in the app.
- After Qyvea accepts the goods you are paid, and you receive a receipt.
4. Your own currency
You price in your own currency, for example US dollars or Chinese yuan. Qyvea converts your price to Kenya shillings at its published rate, and records the order value in shillings when the order is awarded to you. You are paid in your currency at the rate on the payment day. See how Qyvea pays Chinese suppliers.
5. What kind of products fit
Products that Kenyan businesses buy and install: CCTV cameras and recorders, access control, alarms, networking switches and routers, structured cabling, solar panels, inverters and batteries, UPS and power equipment, and electrical supplies. Read what sells in Kenya. Goods must be new, genuine and lawful to export from China and to import into Kenya.
6. Rules you should know before you list
- Adult products, drugs, weapons and counterfeit or illegal goods are not allowed.
- Radio and wireless equipment may need Communications Authority type approval in Kenya, and some goods must meet Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements. Supply the documents Qyvea asks for.
- You are responsible for export clearance in China and for an accurate invoice and packing list.
- Risk stays with you until the goods are received and accepted at the delivery point.
7. Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to join?
No. Creating a supplier account is free and new accounts are approved instantly. Each new product is reviewed before it goes live.
Do I need a company in Kenya?
No. Overseas suppliers can join from their own country. You add your company registration number if you have one.
Who pays for shipping to Kenya?
You pay to get the goods to the delivery point Qyvea names. Qyvea arranges and pays international freight beyond that point, import duty and clearance, unless agreed otherwise in writing.
What languages is the supplier app in?
English, Chinese (中文) and Kiswahili. Switch language at the top of the page.
Related guides
This guide describes how supplying through Qyvea works at the time of writing. The Vendor Agreement, section 12 and the Sell on Qyvea page are the final word.