How to Import a Car into Kenya: Duty Calculation, KEBS Standards, and Registration

Importing a vehicle into Kenya is a popular option for Kenyans seeking wider selection, better pricing, and specific models not available locally. However, the process involves navigating customs duties, KEBS pre-shipment inspection, port clearance, and NTSA registration — each with specific requirements, fees, and timelines. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of importing a car into Kenya, from sourcing the vehicle abroad to driving it on Kenyan roads with full registration.

Age Limit and Eligibility Requirements

Kenya enforces strict age limits on imported vehicles. As of 2025, only vehicles manufactured within the last 8 years from the date of first registration are eligible for importation. For the current year, this means vehicles must be from 2018 or newer. The government has been progressively tightening this limit, with July 2025 rules requiring vehicles manufactured from July 2018 onward, effectively implementing a rolling 7-year policy.

Vehicles must be right-hand drive (RHD) to comply with Kenya's left-hand traffic system. Left-hand drive vehicles are only permitted in exceptional cases such as ambulances, fire engines, and vehicles for specific diplomatic or UN purposes. All imported vehicles must meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) quality and safety standards, including emissions limits and roadworthiness requirements.

Pre-Shipment Inspection

Before a vehicle is shipped to Kenya, it must undergo a pre-shipment inspection conducted by a KEBS-appointed inspection agent in the country of export. For vehicles from Japan (the largest source of used car imports to Kenya), the appointed agents include JEVIC, QISJ, and EAA. For vehicles from the UK, UAE, South Africa, and other countries, different appointed agents apply.

The inspection verifies the vehicle's age and manufacture date, roadworthiness and mechanical condition, compliance with Kenya's emissions standards, that the vehicle is right-hand drive, that it is not a salvage or accident-damaged vehicle (unless declared), and that it meets KEBS safety standards. The inspection certificate is valid for 60 to 90 days from the date of inspection. Vehicles that fail inspection cannot be shipped to Kenya. Inspection fees typically range from USD 100 to USD 300 depending on the country and inspection agent.

Duty Calculation

Import duties and taxes are calculated on the Customs Value, which is the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value — the purchase price of the vehicle plus shipping and insurance costs to Mombasa port. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) uses its own current retail selling price (CRSP) database to determine the customs value, which may differ from the actual purchase price if the KRA valuation is higher.

Import Duty: Charged at 25 percent of the CIF/customs value. This is the base tax on all imported vehicles.

Excise Duty: Varies based on engine capacity. Vehicles with engine capacity up to 1,500cc attract 20 percent, those between 1,501cc and 2,500cc attract 25 percent, and vehicles above 2,500cc attract 35 percent. Excise duty is calculated on the sum of CIF plus import duty.

Value Added Tax (VAT): Charged at 16 percent of the sum of CIF, import duty, and excise duty. However, electric and hybrid vehicles are VAT-exempt as of 2025, as part of the government's incentives for clean energy vehicles.

Import Declaration Fee (IDF): Charged at 3.5 percent of the CIF value, with a minimum of KES 5,000.

Railway Development Levy (RDL): Charged at 2 percent of the CIF value.

As an example, for a vehicle with a CIF value of KES 1,000,000 and a 1,800cc engine: Import Duty = KES 250,000 (25%), Excise Duty = KES 312,500 (25% of KES 1,250,000), VAT = KES 249,600 (16% of KES 1,562,500), IDF = KES 35,000 (3.5%), and RDL = KES 20,000 (2%). Total duties and taxes = approximately KES 867,100, bringing the total landed cost to about KES 1,867,100. You can use the KRA Motor Vehicle Duty Calculator to estimate duties for specific vehicles.

Shipping and Logistics

Most vehicles are imported through the Port of Mombasa, Kenya's primary maritime gateway. Vehicles can be shipped via Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) — where the vehicle is driven onto and off the shipping vessel — or in a container for additional protection. RoRo is cheaper, typically costing USD 800 to USD 1,500 from Japan and USD 600 to USD 1,200 from the UAE. Container shipping costs USD 1,500 to USD 3,000 but provides better protection against damage and theft.

Shipping from Japan takes approximately 25 to 35 days, from the UK 30 to 45 days, and from the UAE 15 to 25 days. You can track your shipment using the shipping line's online tracking system with your Bill of Lading number.

Port Clearance Process at Mombasa

Step 1 — Appoint a Clearing Agent: Engage a licensed customs clearing agent registered with the KRA and the East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Association. The agent handles all documentation and clearance procedures on your behalf. Agent fees range from KES 15,000 to KES 35,000.

Step 2 — Customs Entry: Your clearing agent submits a customs entry through the iCMS (Integrated Customs Management System) once the shipping manifest is available. Required documents include the original Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, KEBS pre-shipment inspection certificate, Import Declaration Form (IDF), and your KRA PIN certificate.

Step 3 — Pay Duties and Taxes: KRA generates an e-slip for payment of all duties and taxes. Payment can be made via bank deposit or mobile money through the iTax platform.

Step 4 — Verification and Inspection: The vehicle undergoes several checks at the port including KEBS quality inspection to verify compliance with the pre-shipment certificate, Radiation Protection Board (RPB) screening for radiation levels (especially for vehicles from Japan), and Interpol/DCI verification to confirm the vehicle is not stolen or subject to any international alert.

Step 5 — Release: Once all verifications are clear and duties are paid, KRA issues a customs release order. Your clearing agent arranges collection of the vehicle from the port. Total clearance time at the port is typically 3 to 7 working days if all documents are in order.

NTSA Registration

After clearing the vehicle from customs, you must register it with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) through the Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS) portal. Registration costs KES 13,800 and requires the following documents: KRA customs release documents, customs entry form (C63), Import Declaration Form, Bill of Lading, KEBS inspection certificate, foreign logbook (original), your national ID and KRA PIN certificate, and vehicle photographs.

Create an account on the NTSA TIMS portal linked to your KRA PIN, upload all required documents, and pay the registration fee. NTSA processes the application and issues Kenyan number plates and a logbook. The registration process typically takes 7 to 14 working days. Once registered, you must also obtain vehicle insurance (third-party is the legal minimum) and an annual inspection sticker.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Incentives

The Kenyan government offers significant incentives for importing electric and hybrid vehicles. EVs are exempt from VAT and attract reduced excise duty rates, making them substantially cheaper to import than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles. Import duty remains at 25 percent, but the overall tax burden is significantly lower. These incentives align with Kenya's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean transportation.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Always verify the vehicle's age before purchasing — vehicles exceeding the age limit will be rejected and you will bear the cost of re-export. Use reputable dealers and avoid vehicles with salvage titles unless you understand the implications. Ensure the KEBS inspection is conducted by an authorised agent — certificates from unauthorised inspectors are not accepted. Budget for all costs upfront — duties, shipping, clearing agent fees, port charges, registration, and insurance. Verify the vehicle's history using services like Japan's auction sheet system or Carfax for US-sourced vehicles to avoid purchasing accident-damaged or flood-damaged vehicles.