Importing a Car from Japan to Kenya

Importing a Car from Japan to Kenya

Japan remains the main source of used vehicles for the Kenyan market. The process is well-trodden, but it is unforgiving of mistakes — buy the wrong year and the vehicle cannot be registered at all. Here is what actually matters.

The eight-year rule

Kenya does not permit the import of vehicles more than eight years old from the year of first registration. The age is counted against the year of registration, not the year of manufacture, and not the year you ship. Confirm the first registration date on the export certificate before you pay for anything. A vehicle that falls outside the window will be refused entry and you will be liable for the cost of returning or disposing of it.

Right-hand drive only

Kenya permits right-hand drive vehicles only, with narrow exemptions for certain special-purpose vehicles. Japanese domestic market cars are right-hand drive, which is one reason the trade works so well.

Pre-shipment inspection

Every used vehicle must pass a roadworthiness and age inspection in Japan before shipping, carried out by a KEBS-appointed agent such as JEVIC or QISJ. The certificate travels with the vehicle. Without it, clearance at Mombasa will not proceed.

RoRo or container?

Roll-on roll-off (RoRo) is normally cheaper for a single running vehicle and is the standard choice. The car is driven onto a dedicated vessel and driven off at Mombasa. Container shipping costs more but protects against weather and handling damage, allows you to ship spares or personal effects with the vehicle, and makes sense for high-value, classic or non-running vehicles. Two cars often fit in a 40ft container, which changes the economics.

What you will pay on arrival

Duties are calculated on the Current Retail Selling Price that KRA holds for that model, depreciated for age — not on what you paid for the car. This surprises most first-time importers. On that value you will pay import duty, excise duty (which varies with engine capacity), VAT at 16%, the Import Declaration Fee and the Railway Development Levy. Because excise is engine-based, a large-capacity vehicle can attract dramatically more tax than a small one bought for the same price.

Ask us for an indicative landed cost before you commit to a purchase. It takes us a few minutes and it regularly changes which car people buy.

Registration

After clearance the vehicle goes through NTSA for registration and number plates. We handle the port clearance, port charges, and the release of the vehicle, and can guide you through registration.

Documents required

• Original Bill of Lading
• Japanese export certificate with an English translation
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate (JEVIC/QISJ)
• Commercial invoice
• Your KRA PIN certificate and identification
• Import Declaration Form