Kenya imports thousands of vehicles every year, mainly from Japan, the UK and South Africa. The landed cost — what you actually pay after all taxes and fees — is often 80–120% more than the purchase price. Understanding what you are paying for prevents nasty surprises at the port.

The 8-Year Age Limit Rule

Kenya restricts the import of vehicles that are more than 8 years old from the year of manufacture. A vehicle manufactured in 2017 can legally be imported until the end of 2025. Vehicles older than 8 years at the time of import will be rejected by KEBS.

How Customs Value (CIF) is Calculated

All duties are based on the CIF value — Cost of the vehicle + Insurance + Freight. KRA uses the CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price) from their price database, not your purchase invoice, if the CRSP is higher. This prevents under-invoicing.

Import Duty Breakdown

  • Import Duty: 25% of CIF value
  • Excise Duty: 25% of (CIF + Import Duty) for engine sizes up to 1500cc; 35% for 1500–3000cc; 45% for over 3000cc and electric vehicles above certain value
  • VAT: 16% of (CIF + Import Duty + Excise Duty)
  • Import Declaration Fee (IDF): 3.5% of CIF, minimum KSH 5,000
  • Railway Development Levy (RDL): 2% of CIF
  • KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC): approx USD 150 (done in country of origin)
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Use the KRA Simba system duty calculator or speak to a licensed clearing agent before buying — the duties can easily exceed the vehicle's purchase price for high-cc models.

Example: Importing a Toyota Axio 1500cc (2020)

  • Purchase price in Japan: USD 6,000 (approx KSH 780,000)
  • Shipping to Mombasa: approx USD 1,200 (KSH 156,000)
  • CIF Value: KSH 936,000
  • Import Duty (25%): KSH 234,000
  • Excise Duty (25% of KSH 1,170,000): KSH 292,500
  • VAT (16% of KSH 1,462,500): KSH 234,000
  • IDF + RDL: approx KSH 50,000
  • Total taxes: approx KSH 810,500
  • Clearing agent fee + port charges: approx KSH 80,000
  • Estimated total landed cost: KSH 1,806,500

Port Charges and Clearing Fees

  • Port storage charges accrue from the 4th day — clear quickly
  • Marine insurance (if not covered by shipper): 0.5–1% of value
  • Clearing agent fee: KSH 30,000–80,000 depending on agent
  • Post-Clearance Inspection by NTSA: KSH 1,000–2,000
  • Registration and logbook: KSH 5,000–10,000 depending on vehicle category

Electric Vehicles — Special Considerations

As of 2023, Kenya exempted pure electric vehicles from import duty (0%) to encourage EV adoption. However, excise duty and VAT still apply. The total tax burden on EVs is lower than equivalent petrol vehicles — a significant incentive. KEBS PVoC for EVs has specific requirements around battery safety.

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Beware of 'parallel importing' schemes that promise zero-duty imports. These are often fraudulent or exploit temporary loopholes that get closed. Always use a licensed clearing agent registered with the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Importing a car into Kenya can be rewarding if done correctly — you can get a newer, better-spec vehicle than what is available locally. Do your calculations before you buy, clear promptly to avoid storage fees, and use a reputable shipping and clearing agent.