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Motor & vehicles · Kenya

Importing a used car to Kenya from Japan

Age rule, documents, taxes and insurance

Motor & vehicles3 min read · Reviewed on by the Tulinde editorial team · how we check facts

Short answerChecked 10 November 2026
To import a used car to Kenya — from Be Forward or any exporter — it must be under 8 years old from the year of first registration and right-hand drive, pass a roadworthiness inspection by KEBS's appointed agent in the exporting country, and be cleared by a customs agent licensed by KRA, who declares it on SIMBA. KRA then charges 35% import duty, excise, 16% VAT, 2% RDL and 2.5% IDF on a customs value taken from its CRSP list. The car needs third-party insurance before it is driven.
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On this page · 7 sections
  1. 1. Check the car is allowed
  2. 2. The documents KRA asks for
  3. 3. Choose a licensed customs agent
  4. 4. Work out the taxes
  5. 5. Insure the car before you drive it
  6. FAQ
  7. Sources

1. Check the car is allowed

  • Age: "less than 8 years old from the year of first registration" — Legal Notice No. 78 of 2005 and the KEBS standard KS 1515:2000 (KRA).
  • Steering: right-hand drive only (KRA).
  • Inspection: roadworthiness inspection by a KEBS-appointed inspection agent in the country of export, which issues the certificate of roadworthiness (KRA).

Check the year of first registration on the export certificate before you pay a deposit: a car that misses the cut-off by one month cannot be registered.

2. The documents KRA asks for

  • Original commercial invoice.
  • Original logbook (registration certificate) cancelled in the country of origin — NTSA needs it to issue a Kenyan logbook.
  • Original bill of lading.
  • Pre-shipment inspection certificate (certificate of roadworthiness).
  • Copy of your KRA PIN certificate (a company: its certificate of incorporation).

Source: KRA, procedures for importing a motor vehicle.

3. Choose a licensed customs agent

KRA tells importers of goods such as vehicles to engage a customs clearing agent, who lodges the entry and declares the car on SIMBA (KRA). KRA licenses 1,393 of them for 2026 — check a name on KRA's list before handing over your documents.

4. Work out the taxes

KRA values the car from its CRSP list (in force since 1 July 2025), minus depreciation for its age, then charges 35% import duty, excise (20%, 25% or 35% by engine size), 16% VAT, 2% Railway Development Levy and 2.5% Import Declaration Fee (KRA, Excise Duty Act, Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act). The car import duty calculator does the sums with KRA's own list and template: a 2019 Corolla Axio of 1,496 cc comes to about KES 536,045.

KRA's valuation of used cars was before the court on 7 September 2026 (KRA). Budget on the calculator's figure, and confirm it with your agent once the entry is assessed.

5. Insure the car before you drive it

No one may use a vehicle on a road without a third-party policy in force (Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act, s.4): the fine reaches KES 10,000 or two years in prison, with a 12-month driving disqualification. Arrange cover before the car leaves the port yard — comprehensive if you have a loan on it. See motor insurance in Kenya and the car insurance calculator.

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Frequently asked questions

How old can an imported car be in Kenya?

Less than 8 years old from the year of first registration (Legal Notice No. 78 of 2005, KS 1515:2000), according to KRA.

Can I import a left-hand drive car to Kenya?

Not for ordinary registration: KRA lists right-hand drive among the requirements for imported used vehicles.

How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Kenya?

The price paid to the exporter and shipping, plus KRA's taxes (about KES 536,045 for a 2019 Corolla Axio of 1,496 cc under KRA's 2025 template), plus port charges, the agent's fee, the inspection and NTSA registration. Use the car import duty calculator for the taxes on your model.

Do I need a clearing agent to import a car in Kenya?

KRA tells importers of vehicles to engage a customs clearing agent who declares the car on SIMBA. Check that the agent is on KRA's list of 1,393 licensed customs agents.

Does an imported car need insurance before registration?

It needs third-party insurance before it is driven on any road (Cap. 405, s.4), including from the port to your home.

Sources

  1. KRA — Procedures for importing a motor vehicle: age under 8 years from first registration (Legal Notice 78 of 2005, KS 1515:2000), right-hand drive, KEBS inspection, documents
  2. KRA — How to import: engaging a licensed customs agent who declares the goods on SIMBA
  3. KRA — Licensed Customs Agents 2026-2028 (PDF of April 2026: 1,393 agents; 1,335 licensed to 31 December 2026, 58 Authorised Economic Operators to 2027 or 2028)
  4. KRA — Press release: Clarification on implementation of the revised CRSP list for used motor vehicles (6 June 2025): EACCMA s.122 and Fourth Schedule, depreciation by age, import duty 35%
  5. KRA — New CRSP list for used motor vehicles, July 2025 (Excel: "M.Vehicle CRSP July 2025" sheet of 5,277 vehicles and the "TEMPLATE 2025" computation sheet)
  6. KRA — Press release: Clarification on concerns regarding cargo clearance raised by clearing agents and motor vehicle dealers (7 September 2026): motor vehicle valuation "currently before the Court"
  7. Excise Duty Act, 2015 — First Schedule, motor vehicles of headings 87.02-87.04: 20%, 25% above 1,500 cc, 35% for 8703.24.90 and 8703.33.90, 10% for 100% electric (Kenya Law, version of 1 July 2025)
  8. Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, Cap. 469C — s.7(2) Import Declaration Fee 2.5% and s.8(2) Railway Development Levy 2% of the customs value (Kenya Law, version of 1 July 2026)
  9. Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act, Cap. 405 — s.4: no vehicle on a road without third-party cover (Kenya Law)
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