Import Japanese Cars to Kenya

Complete Import Regulations & Procedures Guide

Kenya is a strict RHD market. Age is a hard KEBS gate (KS 1515), not only a tax. QISJ inspection in Japan is mandatory for Japan-origin used cars. KRA then taxes on CRSP....

Export to Kenya

Market access

Age-capped

Last verified: August 2026

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Year Rules

Ports

Inspection

Taxes

Documents

Official sources

Year Restriction

Max 8 years from first registration (2019+ in 2026)

Shipping Time

8-10 weeks

Year Restrictions

Max 8 years from first registration (2019+ in 2026)

Kenya is RHD only. KEBS KS 1515: passenger vehicles more than 8 years from the year of first registration are not allowed. The gap between manufacture year and first registration must not be more than one year.

KEBS notice for 2026: from 1 January 2026 only RHD vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2019 are allowed. Certificates of Roadworthiness for 2018-registered cars were not valid after 31 December 2025. Non-compliant units are rejected at the importer's cost.

Destination Port & Shipping Information

Main Destination Port

Mombasa

Alternative Ports:

Mombasa

Almost all Japan used cars clear at Mombasa. KRA uses CRSP to assess customs value. IDF must be in place before shipment.

Shipping Duration:

8-10 weeks

Japan–Mombasa RoRo is typically 30–45 days at sea plus KEBS/KRA clearance.

Vessel Schedule & Shipping Lines

Shipping Frequency:

Monthly RoRo

Vessel Schedule Information:

Book QISJ inspection in Japan before the sailing cut-off. Do not load without a CoR when QISJ covers the origin.

Preferred Shipping Lines:

NYK
MOL
K Line
Hoegh Autoliners

Inspection Requirements

Inspection is Required

Inspection Type:

KEBS PVoC / QISJ Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR)

Inspection Cost:

QISJ Japan: USD 155 (KEBS PVoC Manual v15)

Inspection Details:

KEBS appointed QISJ for used vehicles from Japan (and Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, UAE, UK) under KS 1515, including radiation and odometer checks. Japan inspection fee is published in the KEBS PVoC manual (USD 155 per unit in Version 15). Arrival without CoR/CoC goes to destination inspection under Legal Notice 78 (2020).

Last verified & official sources

Last verified: August 2026 — rules and rates change; confirm with the authority before you buy.

Official calculator / procedures

Import Duties & Taxes

Import Duty

25% of customs value (CIF / CRSP method) — KRA

VAT

16% VAT on (CIF + import duty + excise) — KRA

Other Taxes

Excise: commonly 20% of (CIF + duty) at 1500cc and below, 25% above 1500cc (confirm current Finance Act). Import Declaration Fee 3.5% of CIF. Railway Development Levy 2% of CIF. KRA may use CRSP, not the invoice, as the tax base.

Planning figure only

~55.0%

Not the customer's bill. Valuation, engine, and age change the amount.

Tax Calculation Details:

KRA: Import duty 25% of customs value; excise on CIF + duty; VAT 16% on CIF + duty + excise; IDF 3.5%; RDL 2%. See kra.go.ke procedures for motor vehicles. CRSP list updates change the payable amount even if FOB is unchanged.

Treat stacked percentages as a planning range only. Use the official calculator or procedures page or a licensed clearing agent before you bid.

Required Documentation

Documents for Individual Importers:

KRA PIN
National ID / passport
IDF
Export Certificate
Bill of Lading
QISJ CoR

Documents for Company Importers:

KRA PIN
IDF
Commercial Invoice
Bill of Lading
QISJ CoR
Company registration

Documentation Details:

Obtain IDF before the car leaves Japan. Keep the Japanese export certificate: KEBS uses first-registration year, and manufacture year must be within one year of first registration.

Important Notes

Official sources: KEBS KS 1515 age clause (8 years from first registration; manufacture vs registration ≤ 1 year); KEBS 17 Nov 2025 notice for 2019+ first registration from 1 Jan 2026; KEBS PVoC Manual v15 (QISJ Japan USD 155); KRA motor vehicle procedures https://kra.go.ke/individual/importing/learn-about-importation/procedures-for-motor-vehicle

Helpful Tips

1) First registration 2019 or later for 2026 arrivals.
2) Manufacture year within 1 year of first registration.
3) QISJ CoR before loading.
4) IDF before shipment.
5) Budget from CRSP, not auction price.

Import Regulations Overview

Kenya is a strict RHD market. Age is a hard KEBS gate (KS 1515), not only a tax. QISJ inspection in Japan is mandatory for Japan-origin used cars. KRA then taxes on CRSP.

Step by step: (1) Confirm first registration year and manufacture year against KS 1515. (2) Apply IDF. (3) QISJ inspection and CoR. (4) Export and RoRo to Mombasa. (5) KRA entry on CRSP. (6) Pay duty, excise, VAT, IDF, RDL. (7) NTSA registration.