If you want a car in Kenya, there are two routes: import it yourself from Japan, or buy one that is already in the country and already cleared. They can look similar on paper, but the cost, the timing and the risk are very different. This guide explains both so you can choose with open eyes.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules and rates change, so always confirm current figures with KRA, KEBS or a licensed clearing agent before you commit.
What importing a car yourself involves
Importing means you (or an agent) buy a car abroad, ship it to Mombasa, clear it, pay the taxes and register it. The main things to know:
- Age limit. Kenya does not allow used cars more than eight years old, counted from the year the car was first registered abroad, not the date it is registered in Kenya. A car that is too old can be turned back at the port.
- Right-hand drive and standards. The car must be right-hand drive and meet KEBS standards, and it is inspected before it is cleared.
- Taxes. KRA charges import duty, excise duty, VAT, an Import Declaration Fee and a Railway Development Levy. These are worked out from KRA’s own valuation (the CRSP schedule), not from the price you paid, so the bill can be higher than people expect. Online calculators often put total taxes at roughly three-quarters of the car’s value or more, depending on engine size, age and fuel type.
- Other costs. Shipping, insurance, port charges, clearing agent fees and registration are separate from the taxes.
- Time. From paying for the car to driving it can take weeks, and delays at any stage add cost.
What buying a cleared car in Kenya involves
When you buy a car that is already in Mombasa, the import steps are finished. The duties are paid, the car has cleared the port, and you can see it, inspect it and drive it before you pay. The logbook is then transferred to you through NTSA on eCitizen.
What does foreign used, first registration in Kenya mean?
A car imported from abroad is registered in Kenya for the first time, so its Kenyan logbook shows it as a first registration here, with no previous Kenyan owner. It is still a foreign-used car: it was driven abroad before export and it has mileage, so always check the mileage and condition of the exact car you are buying.
Importing vs buying a cleared car
| Import it yourself | Buy a cleared car | |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost | Harder to predict until clearing is done | One price you can see up front |
| Time to drive | Weeks | Days |
| See it first | Usually from photos and an auction sheet | Yes, in person or on a live video call |
| Choice of exact spec | Wider, you choose the grade and colour | Limited to what is in stock |
| Risk of surprises | Higher: valuation, delays, age rules | Lower: the car and the taxes are already settled |
When importing makes sense
- You want a specific grade, colour or specification that is hard to find locally.
- You are comfortable managing an agent and can wait for the car.
- You have budget to spare for taxes and costs that turn out higher than the estimate.
When buying a cleared car makes sense
- You want to know the full price before you pay.
- You need the car soon.
- You want to see and inspect the exact car, not a photo of it.
Questions to ask before you choose
- What is the total price, including every tax and fee, not just the car?
- What year was the car first registered, and does it meet the age rule?
- Can I inspect the exact car, or see it on a live video call?
- Who handles the logbook transfer, and how?
Buying a cleared car from Carmart Mombasa
Our cars are foreign-used units that have already cleared the port and are first registered in Kenya. You can see any car on a live WhatsApp video call, send your own mechanic or visit our showroom on Haile Selassie Avenue, opposite Quickmart, Mombasa, and have the car delivered across Kenya. Hire purchase is available on select cars; see our financing options.
Browse cars for sale or message us on WhatsApp with your budget and the car you are looking for.