Importing a Car to Kenya in 2026: New Age Rule, Duty and Full Cost Guide

Importing a car from Japan to Kenya often costs almost as much in tax as the car itself. KRA charges import duty, VAT and two smaller levies, each added on top of the last.

The rules also got stricter in 2026: only cars first registered from 2019 onwards can now be cleared. Here's what you'll pay and how the process works, checked against KRA, KEBS and PwC's Kenya tax summary in October 2026.

The 2026 Age Rule: Why Fewer Cars Now Qualify

Kenya only allows right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles first registered within the last eight years. KEBS enforces this under clause 2.5 of the KS 1515:2000 standard and Legal Notice No. 78 of 2020.

The cutoff moves every year, but the 2026 shift caught a lot of importers off guard. In a notice issued on 17 November 2025, KEBS said that from 1 January 2026, only vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2019 would be allowed into the country. Any car registered in 2018 or earlier that arrived at a Kenyan port after 31 December 2025 would be "deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected" at the importer's expense, and Certificates of Roadworthiness issued for 2018-model cars stopped being valid the same day (KEBS notice, reported by Business Today).

In practice, that means in October 2026 you can import cars first registered from 2019 onwards. By January 2027 the window will probably tighten again to exclude 2019 models, so always check the current KEBS notice before you pay a deposit.

Left-hand drive vehicles stay barred except for special cases like ambulances, fire trucks, large construction equipment and other vehicles KEBS has specifically waived.

How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Kenya?

KRA doesn't tax the invoice you paid in Japan. It starts from its own Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP), essentially what an equivalent new car would cost in Kenya, then depreciates that figure for the car's age to get a "customs value." KRA revised the CRSP list in 2025 for the first time since 2019, pushing values up roughly 13% to reflect the shilling's slide against the dollar (KRA press release, June 2025).

On that customs value, you pay:

Import duty, VAT, IDF and RDL are confirmed from KRA's own 2025 CRSP press release and PwC's Kenya tax summary, last reviewed 17 July 2026 (PwC Kenya, "Other taxes"). Excise duty is tiered: smaller engines pay less, bigger petrol and diesel engines pay the most, and electric cars get a lower rate. The exact band for your engine size and fuel changes often, so check it with your clearing agent rather than relying on a printed figure.

Instead of guessing, run your exact make, model, year and engine size through our car import duty calculator. It pulls from the current CRSP table so you get the same customs value and duty breakdown KRA will use, rather than a rough estimate.

Because tax is charged on tax (excise on the value plus duty, then VAT on all three), two cars with similar prices but different engine sizes can end up tens of thousands of shillings apart in tax. This is the main reason importers get caught short: they budget for the car, not for the tax piling up on top.

How to Import a Car in Kenya: Step by Step

1. Pick a car that still qualifies

Before you fall for a listing, check the registration year against the current cut-off (2019 or later, as of October 2026, see above). A car a seller calls "2018" because of when it was made can still be registered in early 2019, so ask for the logbook or registration certificate, not just the model year.

Think about running costs too. A Toyota Fielder or Mazda Demio will cost far less to import and run than a Toyota Prado or Land Cruiser, mainly because excise duty rises with engine size.

If you're still weighing whether a car is even the right buy, see Buy Land or a Car in Kenya: Which Is the Better Investment? first.

2. Choose a reliable exporter

Fake export websites are a real problem. Kenyans lose money every month sending deposits to "dealers" who disappear. Stick to established exporters with a track record in Kenya, such as SBT Japan, BE FORWARD or AA Japan, and always ask for a proforma invoice before you pay anything. Confirm they can arrange the KEBS inspection (the next step) before shipping, not after.

3. Get the KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) done

Every vehicle needs inspection by a KEBS-appointed agent in the country of export (QISJ handles this in Japan) before it ships. The inspection checks the registration-year compliance, roadworthiness, mileage and that the car hasn't been in a serious accident. Without a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness, your car will not clear at Mombasa.

4. Ship to the Port of Mombasa

You'll choose between RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off), where the car is driven on and off the ship (cheaper, but more exposure to handling damage) and container shipping, which costs more but protects the car better. Japan to Mombasa typically takes around six weeks, though this varies with the shipping line and season.

5. Budget for the tax bill before the car arrives

Use the calculator as soon as you've picked a model, not after the car lands. Clearing agents charge demurrage (storage) once a container sits too long at the port, so arriving without the tax money ready is an expensive mistake.

6. Clear through customs with an agent

You'll need a licensed clearing and forwarding agent to submit your documents through KRA's Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS). Have ready the original bill of lading, the original purchase invoice, the KEBS inspection certificate, your KRA PIN certificate, the Import Declaration Form and your insurance documents. If you've never filed returns on that PIN, sort that out early too: see how to file KRA returns. The agent pays the duty for you once everything checks out, and then the car is released.

7. Register the car with NTSA

Once the car is cleared, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) gives it Kenyan number plates and a logbook. You'll need proof that duty was paid, the KEBS certificate and your shipping documents. Buy motor insurance before you drive it. Driving uninsured in Kenya is illegal, and the police do check.

8. Transport it home

From Mombasa, you can drive the car yourself or hire a car-carrier service to Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret or wherever you're based. Factor this cost in too; it's easy to forget when you've already paid duty, shipping and clearing fees.

Mistakes That Cost Importers Money

Going by the model year instead of the registration year. The age rule is based on when the car was first registered, not when it was built. A car made in late 2018 can still have a 2019 registration and qualify, but you need the paperwork to prove it before you pay a deposit.

Using an unverified dealer. If a deal looks too cheap to be real, it probably is. Wire money only to exporters with a verifiable history in the Kenyan market.

Skipping or faking the PVoC inspection. Without it, the car is rejected at the port, and you're liable for return shipping or storage costs at Mombasa.

Budgeting for the sticker price, not the tax stack. Import duty, excise, VAT, IDF and RDL compound on each other. A car that looked like a bargain in Japan can cost nearly double once KRA is done calculating. Run the numbers through the calculator before you commit to a purchase, not after.

Skipping a licensed clearing agent. Mombasa port paperwork is dense, and mistakes mean demurrage charges or fines. A registered agent costs money but usually saves more than it costs.

Forgetting NTSA, transport and insurance costs. Port charges, inland transport and compulsory insurance all add up after you think you're done paying.

Is It Better to Import a Car or Buy Locally in Kenya?

Importing suits you if you want a specific model or lower mileage and can handle the wait and the paperwork. Buying locally suits you if speed and simplicity matter more than saving a few shillings. Either way, if you plan to put the car to work, read 7 Ways to Turn Your Car into a Side Hustle in Kenya before you choose a model. Some cars earn their keep far better than others.

If you buy locally from a private seller, use a car sale agreement so the logbook, NTSA transfer and any fines before handover are settled in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still import a car registered in 2018 into Kenya in 2026?

No. Since 1 January 2026, KEBS only allows right-hand-drive vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2019. A 2018-registered car arriving at a Kenyan port after 31 December 2025 is rejected at the importer's expense, and its Certificate of Roadworthiness is no longer valid.

How much is import duty on a car in Kenya right now?

Import duty is 35% of the customs value, up from 25% before KRA's 2025 CRSP revision. On top of that you pay excise duty (tiered by engine size and fuel), 16% VAT, a 2.5% import declaration fee and a 2% railway development levy, all worked out in turn on the same customs value, not just added up.

What is CRSP and why does KRA use it instead of my invoice price?

CRSP stands for Current Retail Selling Price, KRA's own estimate of what the same car costs new in Kenya. KRA reduces that figure for the car's age to get a "customs value", then taxes that, rather than the price you paid the Japanese exporter. This stops people under-declaring, but it also means two buyers who paid different prices for the same model pay the same duty.

Do electric vehicles pay less duty when imported to Kenya?

Electric vehicles get preferential rates on both import duty and excise duty compared with petrol or diesel cars of the same size, though the exact figures depend on the CRSP band for that model. Check the current rate for your specific EV on our car import duty calculator (linked above) rather than relying on a general number.

How long does shipping from Japan to Mombasa take?

Typically around six weeks, though it varies by shipping line, season and whether you choose RoRo or container shipping. Add time for KEBS inspection before shipment and customs clearance after arrival, so budget two to three months from purchase to driving it home.

Do I need a clearing agent, or can I clear the car myself?

You can clear it yourself, but most importers use a licensed clearing and forwarding agent because Mombasa port paperwork through KRA's iCMS system is dense and mistakes are expensive. If you're importing one car as an individual rather than running a dealership, the agent's fee is usually worth paying for the time and risk it saves.