How to Import a used Vehicle into Kenya

Procedure on How to Import a used Vehicle into Kenya. We have formulated procedures that are simple and efficient for you to import the motor vehicle you have dreamed of owning.

Apply in Person – Import a used Vehicle into Kenya

1. The process of importing a privately used /second hand vehicle in Kenya is very simple.
2. It is advisable to use the services of a clearing agent who can facilitate the process of preparing the necessary Customs documents.
3. When engaging with your preferred clearing agent ensure you provide all the importation documents including but not limited to:
   (i). Passport – original, (if issued within last 2 years, the old passport is also required)
   (ii). Residence Visa/Work Permit – original
   (iii).PIN Certificate , obtained through the Kenya Revenue Authority
   (iv). Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, original
   (v). Comprehensive Packing List
   (vi). Authority to import vehicle , Nominating a licensed customs clearing agent to act on their behalf
   (vii).Original logbook from country of importation in case of motor vehicle
   (viii).Certificate of Road Worthiness – provided by the owner to the Kenya Bureau of Standards
   (ix). Clean Report Finding (CRF) and vehicle log book – in English
   (x). Certificate of Title and Registration -original, must be in importer’s name, state chassis & engine serial
   (xi). Import Declaration Form (IDF) , which the customs agent will use to make declaration on your importation.
4. The clearing agent in Kenya will electronically document the vehicle to be imported in Kenya Customs offices.
5. Documenting process of importing a vehicle in Kenya takes place online on the Kenya Customs online system called Simba 2005 system.
6. The clearing agent in Kenya clears the goods/vehicle to be imported on your behalf.
7. First time arrivals with approved Work Permit and returning citizens residing outside of Kenya with original 2 year Work Permit abroad are allowed to import one vehicle duty free.
   • For additional vehicles an Import Declaration Fee (IDF) in Kenya is payable for clearance of imported goods/vehicles in Kenya.
   • The Import Declaration Fee in Kenya is usually 2.25% of the CIF Value/price of the goods or a minimum of Ksh 5,000.
8. The Customs will then check the documents and release the goods for verification.
9. Verification will be done by the Customs and other interested regulatory bodies to determine the road worthiness of the vehicle imported.
10. The verification will determine the duties and tax payable on any additional imported vehicles apart from the one vehicle which is acceptable in Kenya. If there are no additional vehicles the clearing agent will be issued with a release order and will be free to collect the vehicle.
11. In the case of there is more than one additional vehicle, the clearing agent will be issued with the release orders derailing the amount of tax, duty and port charges you are required to pay vehicle after which the vehicles will be released to the clearing agent (or importer).
12. After payment, you can now collect your vehicle/s and transport it/them to your destination.
    

Guidelines and regulations on how to import Left Hand Drive Vehicles for Returning Residents

• A Kenyan Resident returning from a country that operates Left Hand Drive (LHD) motor vehicles shall be allowed to import a replacement Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicle from any other source subject to the following conditions:

1. The person must be bona fide changing residence (Permanently) from a place outside Kenya and not merely making temporary visits back home.
2. The person must fulfill all the requirements for importation of personal and household effects by a returning resident as outlined under paragraph 5 of part B of the 5th schedule to the east African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.
3. The returning resident must proof that he/she owned and personally used a LHD vehicle in the country of former residence for a period of at least one year, prior to his/her return.
4. The returning resident must provide proof of disposal (Transfer of ownership) of the previous owned LHD vehicle before changing residence from the former country of residence.
5. The current retail selling price (CRSP) of the RHD replacement vehicle shall not exceed that of previously owned LHD vehicle.
6. Both the previously owned LHD vehicle and the RHD replacement vehicle shall not be of any of the following categories: –
   • Bus or Minibuses of a seating capacity of more than 13 passengers
   • Load carrying vehicles of load carrying capacity exceeding two tones
7. The replacement vehicle must comply with the Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements of Legal Notice No. 78 of 15th July 2005 (Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards Imports Order, 2005) and KS1515:2000 Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.
   • These guidelines shall only apply to residents returning from countries that operate LHD motor vehicles who had previously owned and used a LHD vehicle in the country of former residence.
   • Importation procedure is the same as stated above.

Required Documents – Import a used Vehicle into Kenya

• The following supporting documents should be attached including but not limited to:

1. Passport – original, (if issued within last 2 years, the old passport is also required)
2. Residence Visa/Work Permit – original
3. PIN Certificate , obtained through the Kenya Revenue Authority
4. Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, original
5. Comprehensive Packing List
6. Authority to import vehicle , Nominating a licensed customs clearing agent to act on their behalf
7. Original logbook from country of importation in case of motor vehicle
8. Certificate of Road Worthiness – provided by the owner to the Kenya Bureau of Standards
9. Clean Report Finding (CRF) and vehicle log book – in English
10. Certificate of Title and Registration -original, must be in importer’s name, state chassis & engine serial
11. Import Declaration Form (IDF)
    

Office Locations & Contacts

Kenya Revenue Authority- Head Office
Times Tower, 19th Floor, Haile Selassie Avenue
P.O. Box 30742 Tel. 310900, Fax 315987 Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 2813068, 2813160, 2812011.
Fax: 253532,240929, Nairobi Kenya.
Email: callcentre@kra.go.ke
Website: KRA Website

National Transport and Safety Authority
Hill Park Building; Upper Hill
Nairobi Kenya
P.O Box 3602 -00506, Nairobi
Safaricom: 0709 932 000
Telkom: 020 6632 000
Website: NTSA Website

Eligibility – Import a used Vehicle into Kenya

1. The importer should have attained the age of 18 years
2. The importer should have resided outside Kenya for at least 2 years
3. The importers should not have resided in Kenya for 90 days or more within the 2 years before returning to Kenya.
4. The motor vehicle should be imported within 90 days from the importer’s arrival
5. The motor vehicle should be personally owned and registered in the importer’s name or spouse’s name.
6. The importer should have used the motor vehicle to be imported for at least twelve months prior to the importation.
7. The motor vehicle should meet the Kenya standard code of practice for inspection of road vehicles ( KS 1515 : 2000 – code)

(a) The motor vehicle should not be over eight years old
(b) The motor vehicle should be a right-hand drive except for special purpose vehicles.

Fees

• First time arrivals with approved Work Permit and returning citizens residing outside of Kenya with original 2 year Work Permit abroad are allowed to import one vehicle duty free.
  

Validity

• The validity period is forever.
  

Documents to Use

• Application for importation documents are provided at the customs office at the port of entry in Kenya

Processing Time

• The process takes 60 days
• However this also depends on the mode of importation and the distance between Kenya and the exporting country

Instructions

• It is advisable to use the services of a clearing agent who can facilitate the process of preparing the necessary Customs documents.
  

Required Information

1. Full names of importer
2. Date of birth
3. Valid identity proof (passport)
4. Citizenship
5. Address
6. Occupation
7. The Customs Value (CIF Value)
8. The Engine Size
9. The Manufacturing Age of the Car
10. Monthly exchange rate

Need for the Document

• This allows one to import privately owned/ used vehicles into Kenya from other countries.
  

Information which might help

• The owner of the Vehicle has to renew the registration with the Kenya Transportation Office by law.
• An inspection report which details the specifics of the vehicle and the corresponding emission test done to check the vehicle is in a good condition before it is permitted to be used on the public roads of Kenya.
• All motor vehicles imported into Kenya must be inspected prior to shipment for road worthiness.
• All left hand drive vehicles are not allowed for registration unless they have a special purpose.
• The vehicle should arrive within 90 days of the owner’s arrival.
• Contact Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for the updated list of licensed clearing agents.

External Links

• Importing Personal Property into Kenya
  

Others

• First time arrivals with approved Work Permit and returning citizens residing outside of Kenya with original 2 year Work Permit abroad are allowed to import one vehicle duty free.
• Vehicle must be in the client’s possession for at least 1 year to be duty free.
• Vehicle must be less than 2,500cc.
• Vehicle must not be sold for at least 1 year after importation.
• Documents should be sent 30 days in advance of vehicles arrival to reduce possible demurrage charges.
• Vehicle must be imported within 90 days of arrival of the importer.
• Left hand vehicles are prohibited unless authorization is granted from the Ministry of Transport.
• Vehicles owned for over 5 years old are prohibited are prohibited from being imported into Kenya.
• The Vehicle cannot be taken from the port before registration.
• Registration process takes up to 10 days beyond the clearance of HHG’s.
• If shipped together the vehicle will be separated and kept at port.
• Storage, delivery and registration will be accrued

Importation procedure for Motor Vehicle.

What are some of the regulations for importing a car in Kenya?

The vehicle must comply with the Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements of Legal Notice No. 78 of 15^th July 2005 (Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards Imports Order, 2005) and KS1515:2000 Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles. In Particular, The Imported Vehicle;

• Must be less than 8 years old form the year of first registration.
• Will be subject to roadworthiness inspection by a KEBS appointed inspection agent in the country of export.
• Must be Right Hand drive

Taxes Applicable in Motor Vehicle Importation

The following taxes/duties are payable for motor vehicle imports based on customs value.

Import Duty (25%)

Excise Duty

This duty varies with vehicle category.

• Private passenger vehicles of petrol engine whose engine capacity exceeds 2500cc (30%)
• Private passenger vehicles of Diesel engine whose engine capacity exceeds 3000cc (30%)
• All Other Vehicle Categories (20%)

Value Added Tax (14%)

Import Declaration Fees (2%)

Railway Development Levy (1.5%)

What documents are required?

Importation Supporting documents should be attached including but not limited to:

• Original Commercial Invoice
• Original Logbook from the country of importation that has been cancelled from the country of origin, as this will be required by National Transport and Safety Authority to give you an original Kenyan Log Book
• Original Bill of lading
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate. (certificate of road worthiness)
• Copy of your PIN certificate/ Copy of certificate of Incorporation (applicable to companies)

Motor vehicle Importation Process

The motor vehicle Importation process is similar to that of other goods.

 Importing a Vehicle

Watch our tutorial on how to import a second-hand vehicle.