Importing a Japanese vehicle to Kenya 🇰🇪

KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards) prohibits importing any vehicle more than 8 years from the year of manufacture as at first registration in Kenya. A 2018 vehicle imported in 2026 is the borderline, anything older is rejected at the port.

Kenya is right-hand-drive, so any vehicle from Japan qualifies on the steering side. The most-imported models through our Mombasa channel are Toyota Probox/Succeed, Premio/Allion, Mark X, Harrier, Land Cruiser Prado, and small commercials like Hiace and Dyna.

Every used vehicle bound for Kenya must pass a JEVIC inspection in Japan before the vessel sails. The inspection covers roadworthiness, mileage authenticity, contamination (mud, soil, seeds), and confirms the chassis matches the export documents.

IR Nippon books the JEVIC inspector while the vehicle is still at our Anan facility, so there are no last-minute delays at port. The JEVIC certificate is sent to you with the rest of the document pack.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) from Yokohama is the default for Kenya: it's faster and cheaper than container for a single unit. Sailings depart roughly every 10–14 days. Transit to Mombasa typically runs 28–34 days, depending on whether the vessel calls at Singapore or Salalah.

Container (20ft or 40ft) makes sense only if you're shipping multiple small vehicles together or want extra protection on a high-value SUV. We'll quote both options when you request a CIF estimate.

• Original Japanese Export Certificate (deregistration)
• JEVIC pre-shipment inspection certificate
• JAAI auction grade sheet
• Commercial invoice (signed)
• Bill of Lading (telex release or original courier)
• Packing list

On arrival at Mombasa, your clearing agent files the entry with Kenya Revenue Authority. CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price) is published by KRA for each model and is the basis for duty calculation, not your invoice price.

Typical landed cost adds ~70–85% on top of CIF — import duty 25%, excise depending on engine size, VAT 16%, plus IDF, RDL, and clearing fees. We can recommend a Mombasa clearing agent we've worked with for years.