Most cars on Kenyan roads were imported used, mainly from Japan and the UK. You can import one yourself, or buy one a dealer has already imported. Either way, the taxes are a large part of the price.
Buy locally or import?
- Buying from a local dealer means the car is already in the country, duty paid and registered. You can see and test-drive it, and pay against the logbook transfer. Most people do this.
- Importing yourself can be cheaper, and gives a wider choice of cars. It also means waiting several weeks and dealing with the process below.
The rules
- Age. Used cars must be within eight years of their first registration when they are shipped. Check the year carefully; cars that fail are not allowed in.
- Right-hand drive only.
- Inspection. The car must pass a roadworthiness inspection by the Kenya Bureau of Standards’ appointed agent in the exporting country before it is shipped.
The steps
- Choose the car and a reputable exporter. Pay against a proper invoice.
- Inspection and shipping to the port of Mombasa. The exporter usually arranges both.
- Hire a licensed clearing agent in Mombasa. They lodge the entry with KRA, pay the duty on your behalf, and arrange release from the port.
- Pay the duty. KRA values the car from its Current Retail Selling Price list, depreciated by age. Estimate it with the car import duty calculator.
- Registration. The car is registered with NTSA and gets number plates and a logbook in your name.
- Transport to Nairobi, usually by car-carrier truck, or drive it up.
Returning residents and diplomats
Some people bringing a car they already own - diplomats, and in some cases Kenyans returning after years abroad - can get duty relief. The conditions are strict, so check with KRA before you ship.
Buying a used car locally
- Search the logbook on the NTSA system to confirm the owner and that no loan is recorded against the car.
- Get a mechanic’s inspection.
- Transfer ownership through NTSA before paying in full.
See Driving in Nairobi.