Confirm the agent holds a valid customs agent licence from the revenue authority.
Ask for an all-in quote: freight, duty estimate, port charges, clearing fee and delivery.
Check experience with your cargo type (containers, perishables, vehicles, project cargo).
Ask how you will get shipment updates and documents.
Read reviews on EABD for delays and hidden charges.

Kenya: Customs agents in Kenya are licensed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and many belong to KIFWA.
Uganda: Customs agents in Uganda are licensed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Tanzania: Clearing agents in Tanzania are licensed by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and many belong to TAFFA.

About freight forwarders in East Africa

Logistics is the circulatory system of East African trade. Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports clear goods bound for landlocked Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and eastern DRC. Truckers haul cargo on the Northern and Central corridors. Last-mile courier services have multiplied with the e-commerce boom. Cold-chain logistics for dairy, horticulture, and pharmaceuticals is a fast-growing sub-sector.

EABD lists freight forwarders, clearing and forwarding agents, courier and last-mile delivery companies, passenger transport operators, warehousing providers, cold-chain operators, and customs brokers. Verified profiles include the corridors served, fleet size, certifications, and reviews from real shippers.

Freight Forwarders in East Africa: common questions

How many freight forwarders are there in East Africa?

EABD lists 1,730 freight forwarders in East Africa as of 16 October 2026. Businesses that EABD has checked carry a verified badge on their profile.

What are the top freight forwarders in East Africa?

EABD's top-ranked freight forwarders are Sahal Post & Logistics, Taabo Cargo and Swift Travel and Cargo. Category Sponsors and promoted businesses come first and are always labelled, then businesses on paid plans, then everyone else. Each group is ordered by EABD Score, which reflects a business's overall presence on EABD, including things like verification, customer reviews and profile completeness.

How do I choose a freight forwarder in East Africa?

Confirm the agent holds a valid customs agent licence from the revenue authority. Ask for an all-in quote: freight, duty estimate, port charges, clearing fee and delivery. Check experience with your cargo type (containers, perishables, vehicles, project cargo).

How do I list my freight forwarder on EABD?

Create a free EABD account, then add your business or claim its existing profile. It appears on pages like this one once published. Getting verified, completing the profile, replying to customers and collecting genuine reviews all help its EABD Score.