Import a Toyota Yaris from Japan to Kenya
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.
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Updated 7 November 2026
Why the Yaris sells in Kenya
Toyota renamed the Vitz to Yaris in Japan from 10 February 2020. The Vitz is one of Kenya's top Toyotas, and no Vitz built in 2020 or later exists in the exporter stock we checked, so 2019 Vitz cars age out on 1 January 2027.
Kenyans search the Yaris by year: "toyota yaris price in kenya 2020", "2021" and "2022". Demand for the Yaris name itself rests on these searches only.
Every common Yaris engine is 1,500cc or less, so it pays the lowest 20% excise.
Years, engines and grades in Japanese stock
| 2020 onward (XP210) | KSP210 1.0L petrol, MXPA10 / 15 1.5L petrol (2WD / 4WD), MXPH10 / 15 1.5L hybrid. |
|---|---|
| Grades seen | X, G, Z, Hybrid X and Hybrid Z. The GR Yaris (1.6 turbo) is a different car and is left out here. |
| Mileage seen (2020 – 2021) | Median about 91,000 km at one exporter and 44,000 km at the other. |
| Stock in Japan (2019+) | 452 listings at two exporters on 7 November 2026, all 2020 or newer. |
What exporters in Japan ask for a Yaris
USD 4,590 – 13,204 FOB
Dealer asking prices in Japan, checked 7 November 2026
Six 2020 – 2021 listings at two exporters (SBT Japan and Car From Japan). A 2021 Hybrid X with 126,000 km at the low end; a 2020 hybrid with 37,000 km at the top.
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%: every common Yaris engine is 1,500cc or less (the 1.5L is 1,490cc in KRA's list). |
| 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 Yaris
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: Yaris X MXPA10, KES 2,848,741; Yaris Hybrid Z MXPH10, KES 3,896,688 (another row: 3,940,283); Yaris Cross Hybrid Z MXPJ10, KES 4,332,635. We found no row for the 1.0L KSP210; 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.
Toyota Yaris to Kenya: questions buyers ask
What is the Toyota Yaris price in Kenya for a 2020 car?
We cannot give one price, because it depends on the engine, grade, mileage and KRA tax. In Japan, exporters were asking USD 4,590 – 13,204 FOB for 2020 – 2021 Yaris units when we checked on 7 November 2026. Freight, inspection, duty, excise, VAT and clearing come on top.
Is the Yaris the same as the Vitz?
In Japan, yes: Toyota renamed the Vitz to Yaris from 10 February 2020. A 2020 or newer small Toyota hatch is a Yaris, so if you want a Vitz that is still legal in Kenya in 2027, ask for a Yaris.
Will a 2020 Yaris still be allowed in Kenya in 2027?
Yes. Under the 8-year rule, 2020 cars are allowed through 2027. The cutoff moves every January, so check again before a later order.
Which Yaris pays the least tax in Kenya?
All common Yaris engines pay 20% excise. Duty follows KRA's CRSP value, which is lower for the petrol X (KES 2,848,741) than the Hybrid Z (KES 3,896,688). The 1.0L KSP210 is not in the list, so ask your clearing agent.
How do I import a Toyota Yaris from Japan with you?
Tell us the year, engine 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, Toyota Yaris stock list (read 7 Nov 2026)
- Car From Japan, Toyota Yaris stock list (read 7 Nov 2026)
- Wikipedia, Toyota Yaris (XP210)
- 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
- Business Daily (Kenya), "Kenya buys 94pc of used vehicles from Japan", 15 Aug 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)