Importing a car into Kenya can save you money and get you a cleaner, lower-mileage unit than the local market — but only if you understand the rules and costs. Get it wrong and you can lose money on duty, delays or a car that fails inspection. Here's the complete 2026 guide.
Step 1: Know the 8-year age rule
Kenya only allows the import of vehicles that are less than 8 years old from the year of first registration. In 2026, that means cars first registered in 2019 or later. Older vehicles will be rejected at the port — a costly mistake many first-timers make.
Step 2: Choose the right source
Most imports come from Japan, the UK, South Africa or Singapore. Japan dominates because of right-hand-drive vehicles, huge auction volumes and detailed condition grading. When buying from a Japanese auction, the auction sheet is gold — it records mileage, grade and known faults. Learn how to read wear against the paperwork in our guide on checking a car's service history.
Step 3: Budget for duty and taxes
Import costs are more than the car's price. Expect to pay:
- Import Duty (a percentage of the customs value)
- Excise Duty (varies by engine size)
- VAT
- IDF and Railway Development Levy
The taxman calculates these on the CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price) value, not necessarily what you paid — so always model your total landed cost before committing. Budget also for shipping, marine insurance, port charges and a clearing agent.
Step 4: KEBS pre-shipment inspection
Every used import must pass a KEBS-appointed inspection (such as QISJ) before shipping, confirming roadworthiness, mileage and compliance. A car that fails cannot be shipped, so never pay in full for a unit that hasn't cleared this step.
Step 5: Use a reputable clearing agent
At Mombasa port, a licensed clearing agent handles customs, duty payment and release. Choose one with references — a bad agent means delays and demurrage charges that add up fast. Get a written quote covering all port charges up front.
Step 6: NTSA registration and number plates
Once cleared, the car is registered with NTSA on the TIMS platform, which issues the logbook and number plates. Confirm the chassis and engine numbers on the logbook match the physical car exactly — mismatches cause serious problems later. We explain how to verify records in how to verify a car's logbook on NTSA TIMS.
Step 7: Inspect before you drive away — even on imports
A common myth is that a fresh import must be perfect. Not true. Cars can pick up damage in transit, auction grades can be optimistic, and hidden accident repairs sometimes slip through. Before you rely on the vehicle, get an independent pre-purchase inspection to confirm the engine, transmission and chassis are genuinely sound. Our engineers also read the ECU for the true mileage and scan for stored fault codes.
Should you import yourself or buy locally?
- Import yourself: potentially cheaper and cleaner, but slower and riskier if you're inexperienced.
- Buy from a local yard: faster and you can see the car first — compare the trade-offs in car yard vs private seller.
Either way, condition is king. A cheap import with hidden problems is more expensive than a sound local car.
Common import mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring the 8-year rule and buying an ineligible car.
- Underestimating total duty and landed cost.
- Paying in full before KEBS inspection clears.
- Skipping the independent inspection because "it's a fresh import."
- Not verifying chassis numbers against the logbook.
Ready to import — or already have a car at the port?
We inspect imported and local vehicles for buyers across the country — see our areas we serve and full inspection services. Still unsure? Our FAQ answers the common questions, and you can learn more about how we work.
Importing smart means checking twice. Book an inspection before you commit, or read more car-buying guides to prepare.