Importing a car in Kenya is one of the most common aspirations for many Kenyans, whether buying a reliable family car, a commercial vehicle, or a luxury SUV.
While importing your car from Japan can save money and provide more variety than local dealerships, the process is extremely confusing for first-time buyers.
This guide takes you through how to import a car in Kenya step by step, covering requirements, car import duty, shipping, clearing, and registration so you can avoid costly mistakes.
Understanding Car Importation Rules in Kenya
Car import in Kenya is regulated by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Before you buy a car abroad, you must understand the key rules that govern imports in Kenya:
- Age Limit: Only second-hand cars that are 8 years old or less from the year of first registration are allowed. A 2016 car, for instance, can only be imported up to December 2024.
- Right-Hand Drive (RHD): Only RHD vehicles can be imported. Left-hand drive cars are not allowed except for special cases like ambulances, fire trucks, and government-approved vehicles.
- Roadworthiness: All vehicles must undergo Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspection by KEBS before shipment.
These rules ensure road safety, environmental standards, and compliance with Kenya’s import laws.
How to Import a Car in Kenya: The Process
1. Identify the Car You Want
Before you begin this journey, think carefully about the kind of car you need.
Are you looking for a family car like the Toyota Fielder, a small hatchback like the Mazda Demio, a saloon like the Toyota Corolla, or a 4×4 SUV like the Toyota Prado?
Every car comes with different car import duty rates, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.
👉 Related Read: Buy Land or a Car in Kenya: Which Is the Better Investment?
It’s also important to check the year of manufacture. Kenya only allows vehicles that are 8 years old or newer from the date of first registration. For example, in 2025 you cannot import a 2016 model, but you can import 2017 models and above.
2. Choose a Reliable Car Exporter or Website
There are thousands of car exporters online, but not all are trustworthy. Many Kenyans have lost money to scammers posing as exporters.
Before you import a car in Kenya, always use well-known and reputable car export websites. Some of the best car export websites to buy cars online include:
- SBT Japan – one of the largest exporters with a huge variety of used cars.
- BE FORWARD – very popular with Kenyans due to affordable prices and easy search filters.
- AA Japan – offers both budget and high-end vehicles.
When selecting car dealers in Kenya, check their reviews, ask for proforma invoices, and confirm if they handle KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspection.
3. Confirm Vehicle Compliance and Inspection
Before shipping to Kenya, every car must undergo inspection by KEBS or its appointed agents such as QISJ (Quality Inspection Services Japan). The inspection checks:
- Vehicle age compliance (8 years rule).
- Roadworthiness and mileage.
- Emission standards.
- Structural condition (no accident write-offs).
If the car fails inspection, it cannot be shipped into Kenya. A valid KEBS Certificate of Roadworthiness must accompany your shipment.
4. Arrange Shipping to Mombasa Port
Cars are usually shipped to Port of Mombasa, the main entry point for vehicles in Kenya. You can choose between:
- RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off): The car is driven onto the ship and driven off at Mombasa. It is the cheapest option but exposes the car to handling risks.
- Container Shipping: The car is packed in a container, which offers more protection but costs more.
Shipping time varies between 4–8 weeks depending on the port of origin. Japan to Mombasa takes around 6 weeks on average.
5. Calculate Import Duty and Taxes
This is where most first-time importers get shocked. Car import duty and taxes in Kenya can almost double the cost of your car.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) bases taxes on CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) or its own Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) tables.
The taxes applied include:
- Import Duty: 25% of CIF
- Excise Duty: 20–35% depending on engine size and age
- VAT: 16% of (CIF + Import Duty + Excise Duty)
- Import Declaration Fee (IDF): 2% of CIF (minimum USD 50)
- Railway Development Levy (RDL): 1.5% of CIF
👉 Pro tip: Before buying, always use a Car Import Duty Calculator to know exactly how much tax you’ll pay. Otherwise, you risk buying a car that looks cheap abroad but ends up costing double locally.
6. Documentation and Clearing at the Port
When your car arrives at Mombasa, you’ll need a clearing and forwarding agent. The agent handles the paperwork and submits documents through KRA’s iCMS (Integrated Customs Management System).
The key documents required are:
- Original Bill of Lading.
- Original purchase invoice.
- KEBS inspection certificate.
- KRA PIN certificate.
- IDF (Import Declaration Form).
- Insurance documents.
Your agent will also arrange port handling, storage fees if any, and clearance. Once taxes are paid, the car is released.
7. Registration with NTSA
After clearance, the car must be registered by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) before it can be driven. This process involves:
- Assigning Kenyan number plates.
- Issuing a logbook.
- Payment of registration and plate fees.
Registration requires proof of import duty payment, KEBS inspection certificate, and original shipping documents. At this stage, you must also buy motor insurance, since driving without a valid insurance in Kenya is illegal.
8. Transportation from Mombasa to Your Location
Finally, you’ll need to transport the car from Mombasa to Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, or wherever you are based. You can either drive it yourself or hire a car carrier service.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Importing a Car
Importing a car from Japan to Kenya can save you money, but many buyers fall into traps that lead to delays, penalties, or financial loss. Below are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Ignoring the 8-Year Age Rule
Many first-time importers buy cars without checking the year of manufacture, only to discover they are not eligible for import.
Kenya strictly only allows vehicles that are 8 years old or newer, and anything older will be denied entry at the port. Always double-check the logbook and registration year before purchasing.
2. Using Unverified or Fake Dealers
Car scammers posing as Japanese exporters are a huge problem. They create flashy websites and offer “too good to be true” prices. If you wire money, they disappear.
Always use reputable websites like BE FORWARD or SBT Japan to import your car in Kenya. Verify the dealer’s credentials and ask for references.
3. Skipping KEBS Inspection
Some buyers assume they can bypass the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity. But without it, your car will not be cleared in Mombasa. In fact, KEBS will impose hefty penalties if the inspection wasn’t done abroad.
4. Miscalculating Import Duty and Taxes
Many Kenyans budget only for the car purchase price and shipping, forgetting that import duty, excise duty, and VAT can sometimes double the car’s value.
The result? Your car is stuck at Mombasa because you can’t afford clearance. Always use a Car Import Duty Calculator Kenya before buying.
5. Not Hiring a Licensed Clearing Agent
Clearing cars at Mombasa port involves complex paperwork. Without an experienced agent, you risk delays, demurrage charges, or even fines for incorrect documentation. Always work with a registered clearing and forwarding agent.
6. Overlooking Extra Costs
Beyond taxes, you’ll need to budget for port charges, clearing fees, transport from Mombasa, insurance, and NTSA registration. Many car buyers in Kenya forget these costs and are caught off guard.
7. Relying on Invoice Value Only
KRA often uses its Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) to calculate duty, which may be higher than the invoice you provide. If you under-declare, expect additional penalties. Always confirm the CRSP value for your car model before import.
8. Importing Without Proper Research
Some buyers import cars simply because they saw a cheap listing online. Without checking spare part availability, fuel efficiency, and resale value in Kenya, you may end up with a car that is expensive to maintain or difficult to sell.
Is It Better to Import a Car or Buy Locally in Kenya?
This is one of the most common questions Kenyans ask. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks.
Importing your car from Japan gives you variety and sometimes lower prices, but it comes with risks and waiting time. Buying locally is faster and safer, but you often pay a premium because dealers include their margins.
Here’s a comparison:
| Factor | Importing a Car | Buying Locally in Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually cheaper if you calculate correctly, but taxes can make it costly. | More expensive due to dealer markups. |
| Variety | Wide range of models from Japan, UK, Singapore, and beyond. | Limited to what is already in the Kenyan market. |
| Condition | Better quality since you can pick cars with lower mileage and proper inspection. | Sometimes questionable mileage (odometer tampering is common). |
| Waiting Time | 6–8 weeks shipping + clearance process. | Immediate, you can drive off the lot the same day. |
| Paperwork | More complex (KEBS, KRA, shipping docs, clearance). | Already handled by the dealer, you only need NTSA transfer. |
| Risk | Higher — scams, shipping delays, duty miscalculations. | Lower — you see and test the car before purchase. |
| Transparency | You know the exact history if buying from reputable exporters. | Some local dealers hide accident history or tamper with mileage. |
| Extra Costs | Port handling, clearing agent, transport from Mombasa. | Dealer includes everything in final price, but you pay more. |
Final Verdict
- Importing is better if you want specific models, lower mileage, and can wait for the shipping process. It’s also ideal if you want to save money by avoiding dealer markups.
- Buying locally is better if you want speed, convenience, and less paperwork. You avoid risks, but you’ll usually pay more.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to import q car in Kenya is essential for anyone considering direct importation. The process may appear complicated, but with the right exporter, clearing agent, and accurate duty calculation, it becomes straightforward.
Always confirm that the car meets Kenya’s import rules, calculate total landing cost using a Kenya car import duty calculator, and use licensed professionals to avoid fraud.
