What year of car can I import to Kenya in 2026?

Cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019. The 8-year rule moves forward every January, so in 2027 the cutoff becomes 2020.

How is KRA duty worked out?

KRA starts from the car's CRSP value, takes off depreciation for age, then charges 35% import duty, excise of 20% to 35% by engine size, 16% VAT, 2.5% IDF and 2% RDL. Ask your clearing agent for the figure for your exact car.

How long does shipping to Mombasa take?

About 25–28 days at sea, and sometimes about 40 days when ships avoid the Red Sea.

Can you ship a used truck or bus to Kenya?

Not at the moment, because the legal status of used buses and rigid trucks is unclear. We can ship Hiace vans first registered in 2019 or later.

How do I avoid import scams?

Pay only a company bank account, approve the auction sheet and photos first, and check the first registration date and the QISJ certificate. Talk to us on WhatsApp before you pay anything.

Import a Japanese used car to Kenya

We bid at the auction in Japan, arrange the QISJ inspection Kenya requires, ship the car to Mombasa and send your clearing agent the documents. You approve the auction sheet before we buy.

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Arrival at the destination port (photo Farid Mernissi, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ships to: Mombasa
Rules checked: 2026-11-07
Key rule: The 8-year rule: 2019 or newer in 2026

Import rules (November 2026)

The 8-year rule: 2019 or newer in 2026

Kenya allows cars up to 8 years from first registration (standard KS 1515:2000). Since 1 January 2026, only cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019 can enter. The cutoff moves forward every January, and the rule also applies to returning residents.

Right-hand drive only

Kenya accepts right-hand-drive cars only, which all Japanese-market cars are.

Inspection in Japan (QISJ)

QISJ inspects the car in Japan for the Kenya Bureau of Standards and issues the Certificate of Roadworthiness before it ships.

Duty and taxes (KRA)

KRA charges 35% import duty, excise of 20% (1,500cc or less) or 25% or 35% for larger engines, 16% VAT, a 2.5% Import Declaration Fee and a 2% Railway Development Levy. The customs value comes from KRA's Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list less depreciation for age, from 0% for a 2025 car to 60% for a 2019 car in 2026. A new CRSP list took effect on 1 July 2025 and raised the value of many models, so taxes rose too.

Used buses and trucks: not covered

We do not offer used buses or rigid trucks for Kenya. KEBS banned them from July 2022, the Environment and Land Court suspended that ban the same month, and we have found no later ruling, so their legal status is unclear. Hiace vans first registered in 2019 or later fall under the normal 8-year rule.

This is our reading of news reports and Kenyan import guides as of 7 November 2026, not customs advice. KRA changes CRSP values and rates from time to time. Always confirm with your clearing agent before you pay a deposit.

What it costs (how it is worked out)

Every quote is per car. Kenyan tax depends on the car's CRSP value, age and engine size, so we show how it is built and one published example. Duty and taxes are paid in Kenya through your clearing agent.

Item	Amount	Notes
Car price	FOB price in your quote	Our price for the car in Japan, including auction purchase and inland transport to the port.
Ocean freight to Mombasa (RoRo)	About USD 1,100 – 1,600	Broker estimate for a sedan, undated. We quote the current rate for your car.
QISJ inspection in Japan	In your quote	Required before loading. We arrange it.
Import duty	35%	On the customs value: CRSP less depreciation for age.
Excise	20% / 25% / 35%	20% for 1,500cc or less; 25% or 35% for larger engines.
VAT	16%	Paid to KRA at clearing.
Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy	2.5% + 2%	Paid to KRA at clearing.
Example: Toyota Vitz Hybrid U (1,496cc)	KSh 511,691 (2019) · KSh 575,653 (2020)	Total KRA taxes in one Kenyan site's worked example, published 1 November 2026 (Business Radar). Your car's figure depends on its CRSP value.

Rates and ranges come from news reports, Kenyan import guides and broker sites read on 7 November 2026, not from KRA directly. Your written quote and your clearing agent's figures are what count.

How long it takes

Sourcing
1–2 weeks to find and win the right car at auction once you approve a target.
Inspection and loading
1–2 weeks for inland transport, the QISJ inspection and the next sailing.
Sailing to Mombasa
About 25–28 days at sea. Some services have taken about 40 days when ships avoid the Red Sea.
Clearing
Your agent's side, at Mombasa port and KRA.

Every December many cars rush to land before the age cutoff moves, so order early if your car is close to the limit.

Models that sell in Kenya

Kenyan reports name the Probox, Corolla, Vitz, Hiace and Land Cruiser among the top Toyotas, and buyers also search for the Fielder, Axio, Harrier and Premio. Only cars first registered in 2019 or later qualify in 2026.

Toyota Hiace

This page covers Hiace vans and microbuses under 7 m first registered in 2019 or later. It does not cover buses or trucks. Here is what is in stock in Japan, what exporters ask and the tax questions to settle with your clearing agent.
See the Toyota Hiace page
Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Noah / Voxy

The Noah and Voxy are sister 7-seat family vans that share codes and engines. They have the largest 2019+ supply of any model we checked. Here is what is in stock in Japan, what exporters ask and how KRA tax is worked out.
See the Toyota Noah / Voxy page
Photo: Jared Cabot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Harrier

The Harrier is a mid-size SUV. A 2019 car is the older 60-series; from 2020 you can get either generation. Here is what exporters ask, which codes KRA lists and how tax is worked out.
See the Toyota Harrier page
Photo: オーバードライブ83, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Yaris

The Yaris replaced the Vitz in Japan in 2020. Every unit of this generation is 2020 or newer, so it stays legal in Kenya in 2027 too, and its engines sit in the lowest excise band.
See the Toyota Yaris page
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Nissan Note

The Note is a small, roomy hatch with a 1.2L petrol engine or e-POWER hybrid drive. It pays the lowest excise band. Here is what is in stock in Japan, what exporters ask and how KRA tax is worked out.
See the Nissan Note page
Photo: TTTNIS, CC0

Toyota Vitz / Yaris
Toyota Corolla Axio / Fielder

Paying safely and avoiding scams

Pay a company account, never a personal one

Buyers in Kenya and Tanzania have lost money to fake Japanese exporters, and the Japanese embassy in Kenya keeps a standing warning about them. Pay only into the exporter's company bank account, in the company's name. If anyone asks you to pay a personal account or a different name, stop and ask us on WhatsApp.

Approve the car before you pay

We send you the auction sheet and photos before we bid. You approve the car and the price before any deposit.

Check the inspection certificate and the dates

Kenyan reports describe forged manufacture dates used to beat the 8-year rule, and odometer rollback. Check the first registration date on the export certificate and the QISJ certificate before the car sails.

Watch for copied websites and fake agents

Some scammers copy a real exporter's website or listings, or pose as Mombasa clearing agents. Check the web address carefully, and talk to the exporter on a number you already know before you send money.

Ready to import to Kenya?

Tell us the model, year and budget. We reply on WhatsApp with the auction options and a written quote.

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Import a Japanese used car to Kenya