Shipping line container deposits in East Africa
- Hapag-Lloyd Kenya payment method
- Banker's cheque at the Mombasa or Nairobi counter, from 28 July 2021 3
- Hapag-Lloyd Kenya holding period
- Cheques not cashed for 30 days 3
- Maersk Tanzania refund time
- Within three working days if nothing is outstanding 4
- South Sudan request, November 2025
- Cut from US$5,000 to US$1,500 at Mombasa, with 45 days to return empties 1
How a container deposit works
Most import containers belong to the shipping line, not the importer. The line asks the importer or its clearing agent for a deposit or a signed guarantee before it releases the delivery order. The money comes back once the empty container is returned to a depot the line names 3,4.
In Tanzania, Maersk says it charges a container deposit on all import cargo. Its container guarantee form is mandatory for a delivery order request. The form must be completed in full and carry the clearing agent's stamp and signature 4.
In Kenya, Hapag-Lloyd stopped invoicing container deposits from 28 July 2021. It now takes a security cheque at its Mombasa and Nairobi counters. It accepts only crossed banker's cheques made out to Hapag-Lloyd Kenya Limited. It publishes its deposit amounts by container type and size 3.
Free time and demurrage
The deposit sits alongside free time. Once free time ends, the line charges demurrage and detention per calendar day, per container, from discharge until the empty is returned to the named depot 4. Maersk lists these free periods for Tanzania, effective 1 June 2021 4.
Getting the deposit back
- Hapag-Lloyd Kenya returns the cheque when the related documents are presented at its counter. The container must come back on time, within the delivery order validity, at a nominated depot, with all charges cleared, including any damage 3.
- Hapag-Lloyd Kenya says it may cash the cheque if the container is not returned within 30 days 3.
- Maersk Tanzania takes refund requests through its MyFinance service. It says refunds are transferred within three working days if no issues are outstanding 4.
Disputes and calls for change
In September 2020 the Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping pushed for cash container deposits to be scrapped. Its Secretary General, Daniel Kiange, called them a trade barrier at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, as reported by Anthony Kitimo in The East African 2.
In November 2025 South Sudan's Transport Minister, Rizik Zachariah Hassan, asked Kenya to lower the deposit on South Sudanese imports at Mombasa from US$5,000 to US$1,500. He sought a 45-day grace period to return empties. Kenya Maritime Authority Director General Justus Omae Nyarandi said the fees should match international standards and that other countries pay around US$1,500. No formal decision was reported, as reported by Michael Daniel for Eye Radio 1.
What regulators have said
In Kenya, the Kenya Maritime Authority regulates the shipping industry, its Director General said in November 2025 1. On 25 June 2026 the Authority published a notice on compliance with the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024, on registration and licensing 6.
In Tanzania, a Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) circular effective 31 October 2019 said shipping lines cannot impose a cleaning charge on empty containers returned by customers. Shipping agents and depots may collect cleaning charges only where a board order has approved a tariff for that service. Clearing agents or cargo owners must return empties clean, according to an Emirates Shipping Line advisory citing the circular 5.
Common questions
Is a container deposit refundable?
Yes. Maersk Tanzania and Hapag-Lloyd Kenya both refund the deposit once the empty container is returned and charges are settled 3,4.
How long does a container deposit refund take?
Maersk says refunds in Tanzania are transferred within three working days if nothing is outstanding 4. Hapag-Lloyd Kenya returns the cheque when documents are presented after on-time return 3.
How much is the container deposit at Mombasa?
Amounts vary by line and container type. South Sudan's Transport Minister said the deposit on South Sudanese imports was US$5,000 in November 2025 1.
Who regulates shipping lines in Kenya?
The Kenya Maritime Authority, which licenses maritime transport operators under the 2024 regulations 1,6.
Can a shipping line charge to clean a returned container in Tanzania?
A TASAC circular effective 31 October 2019 said shipping lines cannot charge for cleaning returned empties. Agents and depots may charge only where a board order has approved a cleaning tariff 5.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@corridorcosts.org with the official link.
Sources
- Eye Radio: South Sudan asks Kenya to cut container deposit fees at Mombasa port, by Michael Daniel (8 November 2025)
- The East African: Shippers call for scrapping of cash deposits for containers as security, by Anthony Kitimo (23 September 2020)
- Hapag-Lloyd, provider page: Here's an update on container security deposits in Kenya (July 2021)
- Maersk, provider page: Shipping to and from Tanzania, import information (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Emirates Shipping Line, provider page: Tanzania, empty container return in clean condition (15 November 2019)
- Kenya Maritime Authority: Compliance with the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Transport Operators) Regulations, 2024 on registration and licensing (25 June 2026)
Related
- Northern Corridor: Mombasa to Juba
Distances, transit times, port dwell time, published charges and the transit bond for trucks moving cargo from Mombasa to Juba via Kampala.
- Central Corridor: Dar es Salaam to Kigali
Tanzania Ports Authority charges for transit containers, free storage days, road user charges and Dar es Salaam to Kigali transit times and costs.
- Port charges at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam
Selected published container charges at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, with the date of each tariff and where to read it.