Buyer guide
How to import a car into Kenya in 2026
A practical walkthrough of the KRA 8-year age rule, duty and tax calculations, the QISJ pre-shipment inspection, shipping to Mombasa, and NTSA registration — plus when it makes more sense to buy locally on MagariKE.
1. Confirm the 8-year age limit
The Kenya Bureau of Standards rule KS 1515:2000 restricts car imports to vehicles less than 8 years old from the year of first registration. In 2026 that means only units first registered in 2019 or later qualify. Anything older is refused entry at Mombasa and shipped back at the importer's cost.
Always verify the first-registration year on the export certificate, not on the auction listing — the difference is what disqualifies most units.
2. Book QISJ pre-shipment inspection
Every used vehicle must pass a pre-export inspection in the country of origin. Japan uses QISJ (Quality Inspection Services Japan); the UK, UAE and South Africa use equivalent KEBS-appointed inspectors.
The inspector confirms roadworthiness, mileage, and that the unit is right-hand drive. A pass produces a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) — without it KRA will not release the unit.
3. Duty, excise, VAT, IDF & RDL
KRA values used cars against the Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP), depreciated for age. The taxes stack in this order:
- Import Duty — 35% of customs value
- Excise Duty — 25% (≤1500cc), 30% (1501–3000cc) or 35% (>3000cc) of customs value + duty
- VAT — 16% of customs value + duty + excise
- IDF (Import Declaration Fee) — 2.5% of customs value
- RDL (Railway Development Levy) — 2% of customs value
As a rough rule, expect taxes to add roughly 70–110%on top of the purchase price for typical 1500–2500cc saloons and SUVs. EVs currently attract lower excise.
4. Shipping & Mombasa clearance
Roll-on/roll-off shipping from Yokohama to Mombasa runs around USD 1,200–1,800 and takes 30–45 days. On arrival a licensed clearing agent files entries on iCMS and the KRA SIMBA system, pays the assessed taxes, and collects the release order from KPA.
Storage at Mombasa is free for the first 9 days and then charged daily — line up payment before the ship docks.
5. NTSA registration
Once cleared, NTSA assigns a number plate (currently the KDS-series), issues a logbook in the owner's name, and records the import on the TIMS portal. Budget around KSh 15,000 for registration plus plates.
6. Should you import — or buy locally?
Importing makes sense when you want a specific grade, mileage, or colour that's scarce on the local market — and you can wait 6–10 weeks. For most buyers, a locally available unit on MagariKE will be faster, already cleared, and already on Kenyan plates.
Browse cars for sale in Kenya to compare locally available options before you commit to an import.
Frequently asked questions
How old can an imported car be in Kenya?
Less than 8 years from the year of first registration. In 2026, only 2019 or newer.
How much tax do I pay to import a car into Kenya?
Typically 70–110% of the CRSP-adjusted customs value once import duty, excise, VAT, IDF and RDL are stacked.
Do I need QISJ for cars from the UK or UAE?
No — QISJ is the Japan inspector. The UK, UAE, South Africa and Singapore each have their own KEBS-appointed pre-shipment inspector, but the certificate requirement is the same.
Can I import a left-hand-drive car?
Generally no. Kenya only registers right-hand-drive vehicles, with narrow exceptions for special-purpose units.