To import a used car into Kenya you need to follow a set of rules and regulations set up by the government. By going through them, you are able to make a well-informed decision when choosing your vehicle. The following guide gives you the rules and regulations of importation of used vehicles in Kenya. Used cars in kenya are mostly imported from the UK, from japan, South Africa or singapore.
Age Restriction
The government of Kenya stipulates that a car must be registered for no longer than 8 years if you want to import it. This is according to the Kenya Bureau of Standards KS 1515:2000. For example, for the year 2021, only the vehicles manufactured in or after 2013 are allowed.
Moreover, the gap between the year of manufacture and the year of registration should be 1 year or less. Failure to follow this and your car will not be allowed into the country.
Right-Hand Drive
Any motor vehicle imported into Kenya should be a right-hand drive. Any vehicle that is left-hand is not eligible for registration unless it’s for a particular purpose.
Inspection
Any used car that is imported into Kenya must pass the safety and mechanical inspection that is set up by the government. If the vehicle fails, it will not be cleared by customs.
Importation Taxation and Charges
The rules and regulations of taxation in Kenya follow the following tax rates:
Import Duty: Around 25% dutiable value
Excise Duty: Around 20% of the sum of import duty and customs value
Value Added Tax: 16% of the sum of import duty, customs value and excise duty
Importation Declaration Fee (IDF): minimum of 5,000 USD or approximately 2.25% CIF, depending on which is higher.
Other Requirements Needed
The following are the documents that are needed while clearing your vehicle at the port;
- Original copy of passport or ID.
- Original copy of Bill of Lading (BOL)
- Certificate of pre-inspection
- Original copy of commercial invoice
- Kenya Revenue Pin
- The vehicle original Logbook
- Any other document that is required by customs
