Here are some of the key car import restrictions in Kenya:

• Age limit: Kenya has an age limit on imported vehicles, with the maximum age being 8 years old from the year of manufacture for cars and 7 years for commercial vehicles.
• Right-hand drive: Kenya allows only right-hand drive vehicles to be imported into the country. Left-hand drive vehicles are not permitted except for special purpose vehicles like ambulances and fire engines.
• Inspection: All imported vehicles must pass an inspection by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) before they can be registered and allowed to operate on Kenyan roads.
• Roadworthiness: The imported vehicle must meet the KEBS standards of roadworthiness, including having functioning headlights, taillights, brakes, and tires.
• Emissions: The imported vehicle must meet the KEBS emissions standards, which require a certificate of compliance from the country of origin.
• Import duty: Imported vehicles are subject to import duty, which is based on the value of the car, engine capacity, and age of the vehicle.
• Excise duty: There is also an excise duty on imported cars, which is based on the car's engine capacity. The duty can range from KShs 150,000 to KShs 1.5 million.
• Value-added tax (VAT): Imported vehicles are subject to VAT at a rate of 16% of the car's value.
• Documentation: Importers must provide all necessary documentation, including the bill of lading, export declaration, KEBS inspection certificate, and other documents as required.

On top of KRA duties and taxes you will pay Ksh 160,800 as follows:

• Port charge & SGR Ksh. 120,00
• Verification fee Ksh. 15,000.00 
• Interpol Ksh. 15,000.00 
• Mss levy Ksh. 2,000.00 
• Radiation Ksh. 1,000.00 
• Ntsa sticker Ksh. 800 
• Idf fee Ksh. 2,000.00 
• Local transport Ksh. 25,000 
• Agents fee Ksh. 100,000

Yes, we have a dedicated Mombasa clearing & Forwarding agent who can clear and deliver your vehicle up to Nairobi.

Yes, you can get further advice from our Kenya representatives on +254 703 257093.

Yes, you can get further advice from our Kenya representatives on +254 703 257093.

Yes, we can reclaim your 20% VAT so you will save 20% when importing a VAT qualifying vehicle. A VAT qualifying car is one that has been used in a business or newly registered from a franchise dealer.

Yes, if you are a disabled badge holder you can apply to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to clear a car  duty free. Certain conditions must be met regarding the vehicle maximum engine capacity. Carluv has experience in clearing disabled badge holder duty free vehicles so let us know and we can advice.

CARLUV mechanics perform a thorough mechanical and body check and a 5 mile road test of all vehicles.

In addition, we ensure the car has current UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) certificate without any major advisory.

Before exporting any vehicle to Kenya, CARLUV ensures it undergoes a mandatory Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) inspection.

We also do a HPI check to make sure the car is not stolen and mileage is genuine amongst other points..

We prefer to receive initial payment for deposit to reserve the vehicle and remove it from market. Once you are ready to pay the balance, we prefer bank transfer of the cost of vehicle cost plus shipping charged (CIF).

We can also discuss other modes of paying such as export Letter of Credit.

It depends on the car's value. For low valued mass imported vehicles of below KSH 2 million it is normally cheaper to source from a reputable Kenya car dealer. However, for high end cars like SUVs and pickups normally priced beyond KSh. 2.5m it can be cheaper to import. There is also the aspect of "foreign used car" which may mean you could get a comparable car in better condition due to better road conditions.