Importing a car into Kenya: the 2026 process, start to finish

Importing directly can save money against buying from a yard, but only if you understand the full cost stack before you commit.

The eight-year rule

Kenya does not permit the registration of vehicles more than eight years old from the year of first registration. In 2026 that means a 2018 model year is the oldest you can bring in. Buying a car that will age out during shipping is a costly mistake.

How duty is calculated

Duty is assessed on the Current Retail Selling Price as determined by KRA, depreciated by age — not on what you paid at auction. The components are import duty, excise duty (which scales with engine size), VAT, the Import Declaration Fee and the Railway Development Levy. Compounded, these commonly land between 70% and 120% of the depreciated value.

Realistic timeline

• Auction purchase and payment: 3–7 days
• Shipping from Japan to Mombasa: 30–45 days
• Port clearance and KRA processing: 7–21 days
• Registration and number plates: 7–14 days

Budget ten to twelve weeks door to door, and more if your documents have errors.

Costs people forget

Marine insurance, port storage if clearing is delayed, the clearing agent's fee, radiation and pre-shipment inspection certificates, and transport from Mombasa to Nairobi. Together these routinely add KES 150,000–250,000.

Is it worth it?

For common models the margin against a local yard is often thinner than expected once you price your own time and risk. Importing makes most sense for specific specifications that are hard to find locally, or when you are buying more than one unit.