To import a car from Japan to Kenya in 2026, choose a right-hand-drive car first registered in 2019 or later, pay the exporter in full, have it inspected in Japan by QISJ, then clear it at Mombasa through a licensed clearing agent and register it with NTSA. This guide walks you through each step, from choosing the car to getting your number plates.
Key takeaways
- In 2026 Kenya accepts only right-hand-drive cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019. The cut-off moves every 1 January, and the 2027 cut-off has not been announced yet.
- Every used car must pass a QISJ inspection in Japan and travel with a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR).
- Duty and taxes are set by KRA and depend on the car’s value, engine size and age. Check the current figure with KRA or your clearing agent before you buy.
- Pay only into a bank account in Japan in the name of “Autocom Japan Inc.”. Our Mombasa and Nairobi offices never take cash or payments.
1. Check the age rule before anything else
Kenya accepts a used car only if its year of first registration is 2019 or later (in 2026). This is the rule that stops the most imports, so check it before you look at price or colour.
The rule comes from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) standard KS 1515:2000, often called the “8-year rule”. KEBS moves the cut-off forward every 1 January. Cars with 2018 first-registration dates had to arrive in Kenya by 31 December 2025.
- Count by first registration, not model year. The date that matters is the first registration date on the Japanese documents, not the year in an advert.
- The 2027 cut-off is not announced yet. As of 1 October 2026, KEBS has not published it. It usually announces the new cut-off in mid to late November. If your car could arrive in 2027, wait for the notice or choose a newer car.
- Right-hand drive only. Kenya drives on the left and accepts right-hand-drive cars only.
For examples and edge cases, read Kenya’s car import age limit explained.
Will my car be allowed into Kenya?
2. Choose the right car
Pick a car that fits your budget for the whole landed cost, not only the price in Japan. Duty is higher for bigger engines, so a smaller engine often means a lower total bill.
Popular 2019-and-newer choices in Kenya include compact hybrids such as the Toyota Aqua and Honda Fit, and crossovers such as the Honda Vezel, Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-3. Compare them in 2019+ crossovers for Kenya and Toyota Aqua vs Honda Fit Hybrid.
Before you decide, read the auction sheet. It shows the grade, mileage and any repairs noted by the auction house. Our auction sheet guide explains the codes.
You can browse cars that meet Kenya’s 2019+ rule in our stock of 2019-and-newer cars. The filter uses the first registration date in Japan, but it is only a starting point: ask our office to confirm the exact first registration date before you pay.
3. Check the exporter and pay safely
Pay only an exporter you have checked, and only into a company bank account in Japan.
- Check the company is real. See how to verify a Japanese car exporter before you pay.
- Check the bank account. Autocom’s bank accounts are all in Japan and the beneficiary is always “Autocom Japan Inc.”. The official list is on our bank accounts page. If an invoice names any other beneficiary, do not pay it.
- Pay by bank transfer (T/T). Autocom sells for full payment only. Our offices in Kenya do not accept cash or any payment, and staff never make transfers for you.
If someone contacts you with a “deal” that feels rushed, read how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan first.
4. QISJ inspection in Japan
Every used car for Kenya must pass a pre-export roadworthiness inspection in Japan by QISJ (Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan), the company appointed by KEBS. A car that passes gets a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR).
KEBS renewed QISJ’s contract for three years from 19 May 2026. The inspection checks the car’s roadworthiness and condition, and QISJ records the odometer reading. This is not a guarantee against tampering, so the auction sheet and history still matter.
The CoR must travel with the car. When you buy from us, the inspection is arranged in Japan before the car is shipped. Read more in how the QISJ inspection works.
5. Shipping to Mombasa
Cars for Kenya are shipped to the Port of Mombasa, either by Ro-Ro (driven onto the ship) or in a container. Ro-Ro is the usual choice for a single car; a container gives extra protection and room for more than one vehicle. See Ro-Ro vs container shipping.
Sailing times depend on the ship and the schedule, so we don’t promise a date in advance. Ask our office for the current schedule for Mombasa, and your sales representative will confirm the vessel and expected arrival once your car is booked.
Check what your price includes. A C&F or CIF price includes sea freight to Mombasa; an FOB price does not. See FOB, C&F and CIF explained.
6. Prepare your documents
You and your clearing agent need a full set of documents before the car arrives.
- Original bill of lading – issued by the shipping line; needed to collect the car.
- Commercial invoice from the exporter.
- Japanese Export Certificate (export deregistration certificate), with an English translation. It shows the first registration date. See the Japan Export Certificate explained.
- QISJ Certificate of Roadworthiness.
- Import Declaration Form (IDF), lodged through the KenTrade single window.
- KRA PIN and your ID or passport.
Ask our office how and when the original documents will reach you or your agent. For a full list with explanations, read documents to clear a Japanese car at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
Documents checklist
7. Clearing the car at Mombasa
A licensed clearing agent lodges the customs entry, KRA assesses the duty and taxes, you pay them, and the car is released once all checks and charges are done.
How the assessment works:
- Value. KRA does not simply use the price on your invoice. It uses its Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list as the basis for valuing used cars.
- What changes the amount. Duty and taxes depend on the car’s value, engine size and age. Rates change from time to time, so we don’t quote them here. Ask your clearing agent for an estimate or check with KRA before you buy.
- Port and agent charges. Port handling, shipping-line charges and the agent’s fee are separate from government duty.
It helps to think of the landed cost in three parts: our price (the car plus shipping to Mombasa), which is the only part we control; the duty and taxes your government charges; and clearing charges at the port, plus transport home. Our landed cost checklist lists every item.
8. Register the car and get number plates
After duty is paid, the car is registered with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and you receive Kenyan number plates and a logbook. Many clearing agents handle registration as part of the job.
Before you drive, arrange motor insurance with a licensed insurer in Kenya. Our guide on registering a Japanese import in Africa covers the steps in more detail.
9. Get help from our Mombasa and Nairobi offices
Autocom Japan has offices in Mombasa and Nairobi, backed by our head office in Yokohama. The teams can help you choose a car and check its first registration date against the current rule.
- Mombasa: Kilindini Plaza 3F, Moi Avenue, Ganjoni – WhatsApp +254 757 271 007
- Nairobi: AppleWood Adams 6F, Ngong Road – WhatsApp +254 741 237 249
Office details and maps are on our Kenya page. For all Kenya rules in one place, visit the Kenya import rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import a 2018 car to Kenya in 2026?
No. From 1 January 2026 Kenya accepts only cars first registered in 2019 or later. Cars with 2018 first-registration dates had to arrive by 31 December 2025.
Will a 2019 car still be allowed in 2027?
We don’t know yet. KEBS has not announced the 2027 cut-off as of 1 October 2026; it usually does so in November. If your car may arrive in 2027, wait for the notice or choose a newer car.
Is the age counted from manufacture or first registration?
Kenya counts from the year of first registration. Check the first registration date on the Japanese Export Certificate, not the model year in the advert.
How much duty will I pay?
It depends on the car’s value on KRA’s CRSP list, its engine size and age. Ask a licensed clearing agent for an estimate or check with KRA before you pay for the car.
Can I pay at your Nairobi or Mombasa office?
No. Our offices in Kenya never accept cash or any payment. Pay only by bank transfer to an account in Japan in the name of “Autocom Japan Inc.”, listed on our official bank accounts page.
Sources
- KEBS: Public notice – renewal of QISJ contract (May 2026)
- Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- KenTrade: Kenya National Electronic Single Window (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- People Daily: KEBS to stop importation of specific used vehicles from January 2026 (17 Nov 2025)
- Nairobi Leo: KEBS issues notice to importers on new inspection requirements (10 Feb 2026)
