Import a Nissan Note from Japan to Kenya
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.
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Updated 7 November 2026
Why the Note sells in Kenya
The Note is number 4 in EVERYCAR's Kenya ranking (data up to 2023).
A Kenyan blog calls it fuel efficient, especially the hybrid versions, roomy for its size and cheap to import.
Its 1.2L engine (1,198cc) puts it in Kenya's lowest 20% excise band. Buyers search "nissan note price in kenya 2022", "new model" and "second hand".
Years, engines and grades in Japanese stock
| 2019 – 2020 (E12) | E12 1.2L petrol (grade X) and HE12 / SNE12 e-POWER (2WD / 4WD). |
|---|---|
| 2021 onward (E13) | E13 / SNE13 / FE13, e-POWER only, 2WD and 4WD. |
| Mileage seen (2019 – 2021) | Median about 99,000 km at one exporter and 28,000 km at the other (partial list). |
| Stock in Japan (2019+) | At least 171 listings at two exporters on 7 November 2026 (one list was cut off). |
What exporters in Japan ask for a Note
USD 2,740 – 12,896 FOB
Dealer asking prices in Japan, checked 7 November 2026
Six 2019 – 2021 listings at two exporters (SBT Japan and Car From Japan). The band is wide because it spans two generations: the older E12 around USD 2,700 – 4,300, the newer E13 at USD 7,254 – 12,896.
These are asking prices in Japan before freight, inspection and Kenyan tax.
Indicative only. This is not a price offer from us. The real price depends on the exact car, its grade, mileage and condition, and on the day it is bought.
How the landed cost is worked out
This is how the cost of a car landed in Mombasa is built. We do not show a total: we did not run the KRA calculator, and Kenyan guides disagree on depreciation and on the Import Declaration Fee.
| Car price (FOB) | Our price for the car in Japan in your quote, including the auction purchase and transport to the port. |
|---|---|
| Freight to Mombasa (RoRo) | Broker estimates for a sedan are about USD 1,100 – 1,600 (undated). We quote the current rate for your vehicle. |
| QISJ inspection in Japan | Required before loading. QISJ issues the Certificate of Roadworthiness. We arrange it and it is in your quote. |
| Customs value | KRA's CRSP value for the exact model, less depreciation for age. Kenyan guides disagree on the depreciation table and on how taxes are backed out of the CRSP value. |
| Import duty | 35% of the customs value. |
| Excise | 20%: the Note's 1.2L engine is 1,198cc, under the 1,500cc line. |
| VAT | 16%, paid to KRA at clearing. |
| Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy | IDF 2.5% (one guide says 3.5%) and RDL 2%, on the customs value. |
| Clearing and port charges | Ask your clearing agent; we have no checked figure. |
KRA CRSP values come from KRA's July 2025 list. Rates come from Kenyan import-duty sites read on 7 November 2026, not from KRA. Confirm the total with your clearing agent before you pay a deposit.
Kenya rules that matter for the Note
The 8-year rule: 2019 or newer in 2026, and the 2019 window is closing
Kenya allows cars up to 8 years from first registration (KS 1515:2000). In 2026 only cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019 can enter, right-hand drive only. The cutoff moves every 1 January, so from 1 January 2027 only 2020 or newer cars qualify. Our reading is that a 2019 car must land in Kenya by 31 December 2026, and sea transit to Mombasa takes about 25 – 40 days, so we treat 2020 or newer as the safe choice. Confirm with your clearing agent before you choose a 2019 car.
Duty and excise for this model
Import duty is 35% and excise is 20%. KRA's July 2025 CRSP values include: Note e-POWER X HE12, KES 3,246,123; Note e-POWER Medalist Black Arrow HE12, KES 3,764,228; Note X E13 2WD, KES 3,666,643; Note X E13 4WD, KES 3,771,773. We found no row for the petrol E12 X; ask your clearing agent how KRA values it.
Updated 7 November 2026
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.
Nissan Note to Kenya: questions buyers ask
What is the Nissan Note price in Kenya?
We cannot give one price, because it depends on the generation, mileage and KRA tax. In Japan, exporters were asking USD 2,740 – 12,896 FOB for 2019 – 2021 Notes when we checked on 7 November 2026: the E12 around USD 2,700 – 4,300 and the newer E13 from about USD 7,250. Freight, inspection, duty, excise, VAT and clearing come on top.
What is the Nissan Note new model?
The E13, from the 2021 registrations in stock, is e-POWER only, in 2WD and 4WD. In KRA's July 2025 list a Note X E13 2WD is KES 3,666,643.
Can I import a 2019 Note to Kenya?
Only if it lands before 1 January 2027, when 2020 becomes the oldest year allowed. With 25 – 40 days at sea, we treat 2020 or newer as the safe choice and confirm a 2019 car with your clearing agent first.
Is the Note e-POWER taxed more than the petrol Note?
Both pay 20% excise. Duty follows KRA's CRSP value. The e-POWER HE12 is in the list at KES 3,246,123; the petrol E12 X is not, so ask your clearing agent how it is valued.
How do I import a Nissan Note from Japan with you?
Tell us the year, version and budget on the form. We bid at auction in Japan, arrange the QISJ inspection, ship to Mombasa and send your clearing agent the documents. You approve the auction sheet and photos before we buy, and you pay a company account only.
Other models we help with here
Read our full Kenya import guide
Sources
- SBT Japan, Nissan Note stock list (read 7 Nov 2026)
- Car From Japan, Nissan Note stock list (read 7 Nov 2026)
- KRA, "New CRSP – July 2025" used-vehicle value list (Excel, read 7 Nov 2026)
- Business Radar (Kenya), "Car import duty rates Kenya", updated 1 Nov 2026
- Code and Clutch (blog), "Top 10 most popular cars in Kenya and why Kenyans love them", 18 Jul 2025
- EVERYCAR Kenya, "Ranking of the most popular cars in Kenya", 18 Oct 2023
- The Star (Kenya), "Car importers put on notice as deadline for 2018 units nears", 19 Nov 2025
- carimports.co.ke, "Kenya import guide: RoRo vs container shipping to Mombasa" (undated)