Kenya 肯尼亚

Africa · Right-hand drive (RHD) · Currency KES

Market Overview

Kenya is East Africa's largest used-car import market and a right-hand-drive country with a strict eight-year age rule. Mombasa is the principal port of entry. Demand is concentrated on compact SUVs and economical sedans, with growing EV interest.

Import Regulations

Regulations are high-risk data. Every rule below carries a source and confidence level. Confirm with official customs before trading.

Right-hand drive (RHD) only

Kenya is a right-hand-drive market. Vehicles must be RHD to be registered under KS 1515.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KS 1515)

Last checked: 2026-10-04

8-year age limit

Needs review

Kenya limits import of used motor vehicles to those not older than eight years, enforced under KS 1515:2000. Confirm the exact cut-off with official customs (KRA/KEBS) before trading.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) / KRA

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Pre-shipment inspection (PVoC)

Needs review

Used vehicles require a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate before export to Kenya.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Last checked: 2026-10-04

EV duty relief

Needs review

Kenya applies a reduced import duty and exempts electric vehicles from excise duty under the EAC Common External Tariff. Confirm current rates with official customs before trading.

Confidence: low Source: EAC / Kenya Revenue Authority

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Vehicle Age Rules

8-year age limit

Needs review

Kenya limits import of used motor vehicles to those not older than eight years, enforced under KS 1515:2000. Confirm the exact cut-off with official customs (KRA/KEBS) before trading.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) / KRA

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Drive Side

Right-hand drive (RHD)

Right-hand drive (RHD) only

Kenya is a right-hand-drive market. Vehicles must be RHD to be registered under KS 1515.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KS 1515)

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Import Duties

Rates come from taxrules.json and may change. Confirm with official customs before trading.

Type	Label	Rate	Basis	Source	Source date	Review
Import duty	Import duty (used vehicles)	25%	CIF value	Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)	—	Review
Import duty	Import duty (electric vehicles, reduced)	10%	CIF value	EAC Common External Tariff / KRA	—	Review

VAT & Taxes

Type	Label	Rate	Basis	Source	Source date	Review
VAT	VAT	16%	CIF + duty	Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)	—	—

Tax data last checked: 2026-10-04

EV Rules

EV duty relief

Needs review

Kenya applies a reduced import duty and exempts electric vehicles from excise duty under the EAC Common External Tariff. Confirm current rates with official customs before trading.

Confidence: low Source: EAC / Kenya Revenue Authority

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Read the Kenya EV guide →

Registration

Pre-shipment inspection (PVoC)

Needs review

Used vehicles require a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate before export to Kenya.

Confidence: medium Source: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)

Last checked: 2026-10-04

Ports

Mombasa

Shipping From China

Transit times are industry estimates, not guarantees. Actual schedules and rates vary by carrier and season.

Origin port	Destination	Est. days	Method
Tianjin (天津)	Mombasa	18–30	RoRo
Shanghai (上海)	Mombasa	20–32	RoRo

Popular Vehicle Types

Song Plus 宋PLUS — SUV
Tiggo 8 瑞虎8 — SUV
Qin Plus 秦PLUS — SEDAN

Chinese Vehicle Brands

BYD 比亚迪
Geely Auto 吉利汽车
Chery 奇瑞
Changan 长安汽车
GAC Motor 广汽传祺
SAIC Motor 上汽集团
Great Wall Motor 长城汽车
Li Auto 理想汽车
NIO 蔚来
XPeng 小鹏汽车

Import Costs

The landed cost is made up of the vehicle price, freight, insurance, import duty, VAT and any excise or inspection fees. For a full breakdown, use the import cost calculator.

Market Considerations

The eight-year age limit is strictly enforced — verify the exact cut-off with KRA/KEBS.
Pre-shipment PVoC inspection is required before export.
EVs benefit from reduced duty and excise relief.

Related Tools

Related Vehicles

FAQ

What is the vehicle age limit?

Used vehicles must not be older than eight years (KS 1515:2000).

Is Kenya right-hand drive?

Yes — Kenya is a right-hand-drive (RHD) market.

What taxes apply?

A 25% import duty, 16% VAT plus excise — verify with KRA.

Which port handles imports?

Mombasa.