If you've been planning to import a used car into Kenya in 2026, the rules of the game have changed — significantly. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has tightened its grip on used vehicle imports, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has revised how customs duties are calculated. Ignoring these changes could cost you hundreds of thousands of shillings in rejected shipments, penalties, or unexpected tax bills.
This guide breaks down everything Kenyan importers, car dealers, returning residents, and private buyers need to know about the latest car import rules in Kenya for 2026 — from age limits and right-hand drive requirements to certification, duties, and the documents you must have ready.
For ongoing updates on Kenya's automotive landscape, autoskenya.com remains your most reliable resource for car news, import guidance, and driving tips tailored for Kenyan roads.
The Big Change: Only 2019 and Newer Vehicles Allowed
The most significant update for 2026 is the strict enforcement of Kenya's eight-year vehicle age limit.
In a notice issued in November 2025, KEBS informed all importers of used and second-hand motor vehicles — including returning residents, diplomatic staff, and the general public — that only Right-Hand Drive vehicles first registered from January 1, 2019, and later would be allowed into Kenya starting January 1, 2026.
This is not a brand-new rule — it is the enforcement of a long-standing standard. The eight-year age limit has always been part of Kenya's inspection rules under KS 1515:2000, but many importers were still shipping in older cars close to the cut-off period, which often led to costly disputes at the port.
"If your vehicle was first registered in 2018 or earlier, it will not be allowed in — and rejection happens at the importer's expense."
What this means practically:
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Vehicles first registered in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 are eligible for import in 2026
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Vehicles first registered in 2018 or earlier are permanently barred from entry
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The Year of First Registration (YoR) — not the manufacture year — is the determining factor
Right-Hand Drive (RHD): Non-Negotiable
Kenya drives on the left, and the law reflects this. All Left-Hand Drive vehicles are not allowed for registration unless they are for special purposes — specifically ambulances, fire tenders, and large construction vehicles imported for projects and to be eventually donated to the Kenyan Government.
For everyone else — individual buyers, dealers, returning residents — only RHD vehicles are permitted. This makes Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa the primary source markets for Kenyan importers, given their RHD driving standards.
KEBS Standards: KS 1515:2000 Explained
Every used vehicle entering Kenya must comply with KS 1515:2000 — the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles. This standard governs three core requirements:
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Age limit — Not more than eight years from the Year of First Registration
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Right-hand drive — As detailed above
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Roadworthiness — The vehicle must pass a full mechanical inspection covering brakes, engine, steering, suspension, and other safety-critical components
These are not optional benchmarks — they are legal requirements enforced at the Port of Mombasa and other entry points across the country.
Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR): What It Is and Why You Need It
The Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) is a document issued after a vehicle passes a thorough inspection in its country of origin. In 2026, this document is more important than ever.
Vehicles from countries where KEBS has an inspection agency — including Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, and South Africa — must be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ), which is the inspection company contracted by KEBS.
Obtaining a CoR is a thorough process involving mechanical inspection of the vehicle for brakes, engine, steering, suspension, and other components to ensure they are in proper working condition. The process also includes documentation verification, confirming that the vehicle's registration and papers match the inspection records.
What If You Don't Have a CoR?
If your vehicle does not come with a CoR, you are not automatically barred — but you face additional compliance steps at the destination. Importers, traders, or sellers bringing in vehicles without a CoR must validate key documents — including logbooks, export certificates, and deregistration certificates — through an approved database. This validation costs KSh 12,000 per vehicle and takes approximately four working days.
Key CoR deadline: Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles first registered in 2018 are no longer valid after December 31, 2025. Any vehicle manufactured in 2018 or earlier that arrives in Kenya after this date is considered non-compliant and rejected at the importer's expense.
KRA Import Taxes: What You'll Pay in 2026
Beyond KEBS compliance, the Kenya Revenue Authority collects several duties and levies on every imported vehicle. Understanding these costs upfront prevents nasty surprises at clearance.
New CRSP Schedule from July 2025
Effective July 1, 2025, KRA applied a new Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) schedule in the computation of customs value for used motor vehicles imported into the country, following extensive stakeholder engagement.
The CRSP is the benchmark retail price of a brand-new vehicle in Kenya. KRA uses it — alongside your actual invoice value — to determine your customs duty base. The CRSP affects the prices of imported cars by directly influencing the amount of import duty payable. Since duty is calculated as a percentage of the CRSP, any increase in the CRSP leads to a higher tax burden, which raises the final price consumers pay for imported vehicles.
Breakdown of Import Duties and Taxes
The duties and taxes payable on an imported vehicle are as follows: Import Duty is 25% of the Customs Value (CIF — Invoice value plus Insurance plus Freight charges). Excise Duty is 20% of the Customs Value plus Import Duty for vehicles with 1,500cc and below, and 25% for vehicles above 1,500cc. VAT is 16% of the Customs Value plus Import Duty plus Excise Duty. A Rail Development Levy of 2% of the customs value and an Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 3.5% of the CIF are also applied.
Additionally, electric vehicles attract preferential rates — 25% import duty and 10% excise duty — compared to higher rates applied on petrol vehicles.
Additional Port and Clearance Costs
On top of KRA taxes, importers should budget for the following at the Port of Mombasa:
Charge
Approximate Cost
Port charge & SGR transport
KSh 120,000
KEBS document validation fee
KSh 12,000
Verification fee
KSh 15,000
Interpol check
KSh 15,000
MSS levy
KSh 2,000
Figures are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with a licensed clearing agent.
Required Documents for Vehicle Import Clearance
To clear a vehicle through Kenyan Customs without delays, ensure you have the following documents ready:
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Original Commercial Invoice from the seller
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Original Bill of Lading from the shipping company
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Import Declaration Form (IDF) obtained from Customs
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Authentic original logbook from the country of origin (in English, or translated by the relevant embassy/high commission)
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Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) issued by QISJ (for vehicles from KEBS-covered countries)
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Export certificate and deregistration documents (where applicable)
Important: KRA does not accept a Certificate of Export issued by Dubai Police or any other authority as a substitute for a foreign logbook. Always secure the original logbook before shipping.
Who Does This Affect?
The clarification affects everyone involved in the trade — car dealers, private buyers, returning residents bringing back personal vehicles, and even members of the diplomatic community.
Whether you are:
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A private individual importing your own vehicle after living abroad
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A car dealer sourcing stock from Japan, the UK, or the UAE
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A returning resident bringing back a personal car
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A business importing a fleet or commercial vehicles
…these rules apply to you without exception.
Impact on Kenya's Used Car Market
The 2026 import changes are already reshaping Kenya's second-hand car market in real terms.
The end-of-2025 scramble injected a wave of newer vehicles into the market, testing Kenya's logistics systems to the limit. Dealers with 2019 models now have the upper hand — demand is up, and prices are rising as the window for older, cheaper units permanently closes.
For buyers, this means:
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Prices for eligible 2019–2025 vehicles are rising due to increased demand
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Older models that were popular budget buys — 2015–2018 Japanese imports — are no longer available through official channels
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The local second-hand market for already-registered vehicles may see increased activity as people trade in older cars
For the average Kenyan buyer, finding a competitively priced, compliant vehicle requires more research and flexibility than ever before.
Where to Find Compliant Used Cars in Kenya
With the import window now restricted to 2019-and-newer vehicles, buying locally from trusted platforms is increasingly attractive. auto24.co.ke lists a wide range of quality second-hand vehicles that already meet Kenyan registration standards — including newer models like the Toyota Raize, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Impreza, and Nissan Note e-Power, all of which fall within the 2019-and-newer eligibility window.
Browsing verified local listings means you skip the CoR process, customs queues, and import duty surprises entirely — while still getting a relatively recent vehicle in good condition.
For more detailed comparisons of models worth importing versus buying locally, automag.co.ke offers expert automotive reviews and market analyses tailored to the Kenyan buyer.
Quick Compliance Checklist for 2026 Importers
Before you commit to any vehicle purchase abroad, run through this checklist:
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✅ Vehicle is Right-Hand Drive
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✅ Year of First Registration is January 1, 2019 or later
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✅ Vehicle originates from a KEBS-approved inspection country (Japan, UAE, UK, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa)
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✅ Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) has been obtained from QISJ
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✅ Original logbook is available and in English (or officially translated)
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✅ KRA duties and port charges have been factored into your total budget
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✅ A licensed clearing agent has been engaged to process the import declaration
Final Word
Kenya's 2026 car import rules are clear, and enforcement is firm. The eight-year age limit, the RHD requirement, the KEBS KS 1515:2000 standards, and the revised CRSP-based tax calculations all work together to raise the bar for what enters the country — which ultimately benefits road safety and vehicle quality for everyone.
The bottom line: if you are importing a car in 2026, plan ahead, verify your documents thoroughly, and work with experienced professionals. Cutting corners on compliance is significantly more expensive than doing it right the first time.
Have questions about importing a specific vehicle model? Drop them in the comments below — we'd love to help. And keep exploring autoskenya.com for the latest automotive news, car reviews, and driving guides built specifically for Kenyan drivers and enthusiasts.
