What is the local port labour fee for unstacking a UK cargo crate?

The local port labour fee for unstacking a UK cargo crate at Mombasa Port or a CFS (Container Freight Station) is not a fixed government tariff. It is a variable handling charge paid to stevedores, CFS workers, or contracted port labour teams for physically offloading, breaking down, and repositioning cargo.

It is usually bundled under handling, stripping, or labour charges, depending on how the cargo arrives (FCL, LCL, or breakbulk).

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1. Typical labour fee range in Mombasa (unstacking crates)

For UK-imported cargo crates:

🔹 Light to medium crates (50–300 kg)

• KES 500 – 2,000 per crate
• Usually handled with basic manpower or small equipment support

🔹 Heavy crates (300 kg – 1,000 kg)

• KES 2,000 – 6,000 per crate
• Requires forklifts + manual labour coordination

🔹 Industrial/heavy engineering crates (1 ton+ or awkward loads)

• KES 6,000 – 20,000+ per crate
• May involve rigging teams, forklifts, or crane-assisted positioning

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2. What the “unstacking fee” actually covers

The charge typically includes:

• 📦 Breaking down stacked cargo inside containers or CFS yards
• 🚜 Forklift movement and repositioning
• 👷 Manual labour (port stevedores or CFS workers)
• 🔧 Basic rigging assistance for heavy or unstable crates
• 🏗️ Safe placement for customs inspection or onward transport

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3. Where this fee is charged

Unstacking/labour charges usually appear at:

• ⚓ Container Freight Stations (CFS)
• 📦 Inland Container Depots (ICDs)
• 🚢 Port storage yards (breakbulk cargo zones)

If cargo is cleared directly from a container, charges are often part of:

• “CFS handling”
• “stripping charges”
• “labour & handling fees”

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4. Key factors affecting the cost

The final labour fee depends on:

• Weight and fragility of the crate
• Whether forklifts or cranes are needed
• Time taken (quick vs complex unstacking)
• Container type (FCL vs LCL cargo)
• Storage delays (extra labour hours may apply)

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5. Important clarification

There is:

• ❌ No single fixed “government unstacking fee”
• ✔ Charges are commercial handling rates set by CFS operators or labour contractors
• ✔ Often bundled into a broader port handling invoice

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6. Bottom line

The local port labour fee for unstacking UK cargo crates in Mombasa typically ranges:

• 🟢 KES 500 – 2,000 (light crates)
• 🟠 KES 2,000 – 6,000 (medium/heavy crates)
• 🔴 KES 6,000 – 20,000+ (industrial or complex lifts)

Final cost depends on weight, handling method, and terminal operations.

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For structured UK–Kenya cargo handling, crate unstacking coordination, and full port clearance logistics, UK World Cargo Ltd works with licensed clearing agents and CFS operators to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-controlled cargo handling at Mombasa Port.

For more information or a detailed explanation, please call or WhatsApp Abdi Haji at +44 7487 554202