How do you import a car from Japan to Kenya, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
To import a car from Japan to Kenya you pay 35% import duty (2026/27), 20–35% excise by engine size, 16% VAT, a 2.5% Import Declaration Fee and a 2% Railway Development Levy, roughly 90–115% of the CIF value. The car must be right-hand drive, under 8 years old from first registration (2019 or newer in 2026) and pass a QISJ inspection in Japan.
Worked example: a 2019 Toyota Corolla Axio 1.5 L costs about 2,020,000 to 2,100,000 KES (US$15,600 to US$16,200) delivered to Nairobi, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Kenya
Kenya drives on the left and registers right-hand-drive cars only, so Japanese domestic stock fits the steering rule without modification. The binding constraint is age: under KS 1515:2000 an imported vehicle must be less than 8 years old from its year of first registration, which in 2026 means 2019 or newer. Cars that miss the cut-off are refused at Mombasa. Every car is inspected for roadworthiness in Japan before it ships, by the inspection agent the Kenya Bureau of Standards appoints (QISJ at the time of review). The inspection also checks for radioactive contamination and odometer tampering. Taxes are the largest cost after the car itself. KRA charges import duty, excise, VAT, the Import Declaration Fee and the Railway Development Levy on the customs value, and checks that value against its own motor vehicle valuation template rather than relying on the invoice alone. Engine size sets the excise rate, so a car up to 1.5 litres, petrol or hybrid, carries a noticeably lower tax bill than a 2.5-litre diesel.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Kenya?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Must be less than 8 years old from the year of first registration (KS 1515:2000); in 2026 that means 2019 or newer. Right-hand drive only.
- Inspection
- Roadworthiness inspection in Japan by the KEBS-appointed agent (QISJ) under KS 1515
- Restrictions
- Left-hand-drive vehicles are not permitted.
- Entry ports
- Port of Mombasa
How do you import a car from Japan to Kenya, step by step?
Confirm the car is eligible
Check the year of first registration (2019 or newer in 2026) and that the car is right-hand drive and roadworthy under KS 1515. Check the excise band for its engine size and fuel before buying.
Register a KRA PIN
Customs entries need the importer's KRA PIN certificate, or a certificate of incorporation for a company. Register on iTax before the car ships.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. Its English translation is the cancelled logbook that NTSA needs to issue a Kenyan logbook.
Pass the pre-export inspection in Japan
The KEBS-appointed agent (QISJ) inspects the car to KS 1515, including radiation and odometer checks, and issues the certificate of roadworthiness that travels with the shipping documents.
Ship to Mombasa
Cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Mombasa, mostly by RoRo vessel. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which is needed to lodge the customs entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed customs agent lodges the entry with the invoice, bill of lading, inspection certificate, export certificate and PIN. KRA assesses duty, excise, VAT, IDF and RDL on the customs value.
Clear the port and register with NTSA
After KRA releases the car and port charges are paid, it can leave Mombasa. NTSA then registers it and issues Kenyan number plates and a logbook.
Documents checklist
- Original commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate (cancelled registration) with English translation
- Original bill of lading
- Pre-shipment inspection certificate (certificate of roadworthiness) from the KEBS-appointed agent
- KRA PIN certificate, or certificate of incorporation for a company
- Customs entry lodged by a licensed customs agent
- NTSA registration application after customs release
What import duties and taxes does Kenya charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 35% | CIF value |
| Excise Duty (petrol)Applies to petrol vehicles only | 20%–35% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise Duty (diesel)Applies to diesel vehicles only | 20%–35% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise Duty (hybrid)Applies to hybrid vehicles only | 20%–25% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise Duty (electric)Applies to ev vehicles only | 10% | CIF + import duty |
| VAT | 16% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Import Declaration Fee | 2.5% | CIF value |
| Railway Development Levy | 2% | CIF value |
Import Duty
Rate: 35%. Charged on: CIF value. Source: EAC Gazette Vol. AT 1 No. 16 (30 June 2026).
Excise Duty (petrol)
Rate: 20% up to 1,500 cc; 25% up to 3,000 cc; 35% above 3,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to petrol vehicles only. Source: Kenya Law — Excise Duty Act, First Schedule (as at 29 Sep 2026).
Excise Duty (diesel)
Rate: 20% up to 1,500 cc; 25% up to 2,500 cc; 35% above 2,500 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to diesel vehicles only. Source: Kenya Law — Excise Duty Act, First Schedule (as at 29 Sep 2026).
Excise Duty (hybrid)
Rate: 20% up to 1,500 cc; 25% above 1,500 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to hybrid vehicles only. Source: Kenya Law — Excise Duty Act, First Schedule (as at 29 Sep 2026).
Excise Duty (electric)
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to ev vehicles only. Source: Kenya Law — Excise Duty Act, First Schedule (as at 29 Sep 2026).
VAT
Rate: 16%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes. Source: KRA — Procedures for Motor Vehicle.
Import Declaration Fee
Rate: 2.5%. Charged on: CIF value. Source: Kenya Law — Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act s.7 (as at 25 Sep 2026).
Railway Development Levy
Rate: 2%. Charged on: CIF value. Source: Kenya Law — Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act s.8 (as at 25 Sep 2026).
All five charges are based on the customs value, which is the CIF price of the car (cost, insurance and freight to Mombasa). Import duty is 35% of CIF for the year from 1 July 2026: the East African Community has let Kenya apply 35% instead of the 25% common external tariff for one year, so check the rate again after June 2027. Excise is charged on CIF plus import duty: 20% for any car up to 1,500 cc, whatever the fuel, and 25% above 1,500 cc. The 35% rate applies only to petrol cars above 3,000 cc and diesel cars above 2,500 cc. Fully electric cars pay 10%. VAT of 16% is then charged on CIF plus duty plus excise. The Import Declaration Fee (2.5%) and Railway Development Levy (2%) are charged on CIF. KRA checks the declared value against its motor vehicle valuation template, effective 1 July 2023, so the assessed value can differ from the invoice. Excise rates are set in the First Schedule of the Excise Duty Act, 2015, and the Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy in the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, 2016.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Kenya?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Mombasa | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Corolla Axio 1.5 L | US$6,370 | US$7,940 | US$7,34092% of CIF | KES 2,020,000 – 2,100,000US$15,600 – US$16,200 |
| 2020 Toyota Aqua 1.5 L hybrid | US$8,740 | US$10,300 | US$9,53092% of CIF | KES 2,610,000 – 2,700,000US$20,100 – US$20,800 |
| 2019 Mazda CX-5 2.2 L diesel | US$15,600 | US$17,500 | US$17,500100% of CIF | KES 4,580,000 – 4,680,000US$35,300 – US$36,100 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Nairobi. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
This market taxes by engine size, age or fuel. Enter all three for a tighter figure.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | RoRo or container | 24–34 | US$1,550 |
Most cars from Japan travel to Mombasa on RoRo vessels; container shipping is used for higher-value cars or when several cars are consolidated.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Kenya?
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A 1.5-litre petrol sedan that sits in the 20% excise band. Parts and mechanics are available across Kenya, and 2019 and newer examples meet the age rule.
- Models and prices
Toyota Aqua
A small hybrid hatchback with low fuel use in city traffic. With a 1.5-litre engine it pays the same 20% excise as a small petrol car.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact hatchback sold in petrol and hybrid form. The petrol 1.3 and 1.5 versions stay in the lowest excise band.
- Models and prices
Mazda CX-5
A mid-size SUV with a 2.0 or 2.5 petrol or 2.2 diesel engine. All versions fall in the 25% excise band, so tax is higher than for a small car.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
A 1.5-litre commercial wagon widely used by small businesses. It is simple to maintain and sits in the 20% petrol excise band.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Kenya?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | Mombasa | US$270 | US$340 | 3 |
| Mombasa | Mombasa | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Kisumu | Mombasa | US$390 | US$490 | 3 |
| Nakuru | Mombasa | US$330 | US$410 | 3 |
| Eldoret | Mombasa | US$390 | US$490 | 3 |
| Thika | Mombasa | US$270 | US$340 | 3 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Can I import a car older than 8 years to Kenya?
- No. Kenya requires an imported vehicle to be less than 8 years old from its year of first registration, so in 2026 only 2019 and newer cars qualify. Cars outside the rule are refused at Mombasa.
- Does Kenya allow left-hand-drive cars from Japan?
- No. Kenya registers right-hand-drive vehicles only. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive, so they meet the steering rule as they are.
- What taxes do I pay to import a car to Kenya?
- Import duty 35% (2026/27), excise 20–35% depending on engine size, VAT 16%, the Import Declaration Fee 2.5% and the Railway Development Levy 2%. Together they usually add 90–115% to the CIF value.
- How does KRA value an imported used car?
- Duty is charged on the customs value, which KRA checks against its motor vehicle valuation template (effective 1 July 2023). The assessed value can be higher than the invoice, so check the template before buying.
- Do hybrid cars pay less excise in Kenya?
- No. Hybrids pay the same rates as petrol and diesel cars: 20% up to 1,500 cc and 25% above. Only fully electric cars pay less, at 10%.
- Who inspects cars in Japan for Kenya?
- The inspection agent appointed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, QISJ at the time of review. It checks roadworthiness to KS 1515, radioactive contamination and odometer integrity before the car ships.
- How long does shipping from Japan to Mombasa take?
- Around 24 to 34 days at sea, depending on the vessel and its stops. Port clearance and inland delivery add several days after arrival.
- What documents do I need to clear a car at Mombasa?
- The original invoice, original bill of lading, the Japanese export certificate with translation, the pre-shipment inspection certificate and your KRA PIN certificate. A licensed customs agent lodges the entry.
- How do I register an imported car in Kenya?
- After KRA releases the car, NTSA registers it and issues number plates and a Kenyan logbook. NTSA relies on the cancelled Japanese registration (the export certificate) from the import file.
- Is there a car import duty calculator for Kenya?
- Yes. The calculator at the end of this page applies KRA's import duty, excise, VAT, Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy to the car, year, engine size and city you choose, using the same rates as the tables above.
Sources
- East African Community Gazette Vol. AT 1 No. 16 (30 June 2026) — checked 15 October 2026
- Kenya Law — Excise Duty Act, 2015 (First Schedule) — checked 15 October 2026
- Kenya Law — Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, 2016 — checked 15 October 2026
- Kenya Revenue Authority — Procedures for Motor Vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- Kenya Bureau of Standards — Used motor vehicle inspection contractors — checked 15 October 2026
- National Transport and Safety Authority — checked 15 October 2026
- Kenya Ports Authority — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Kenya
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.