📘 Chapter 2: Step-by-Step Car Import Process

 

📘 Chapter 2: Step-by-Step Car Import Process

From Selecting the Car to Clearing it at Mombasa Port

Importing a car to Kenya doesn’t need to be intimidating. When broken down into clear stages, the process is straightforward — and manageable even for first-timers.

Below is a step-by-step guide that walks you through the entire journey.

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🔎 2.1 Decide on Your Budget and Car Type

Start by answering two key questions:

• How much can you spend in total (including taxes and fees)?

• What type of car best fits your lifestyle or business?

Typical budgets to consider:

Budget Range (KES)	Car Type	Examples
800K – 1M	Compact Hatchback	Toyota Vitz, Honda Fit
1M – 1.5M	Sedan or Compact SUV	Toyota Axio, Nissan Note
1.5M – 2.5M	SUV or 7-Seater	Toyota Noah, Subaru Forester
3M+	Luxury or High-End SUV	Land Cruiser, BMW X5

💡 Use our Import Calculator on Code & Clutch to estimate landed costs before selecting a vehicle.

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🚙 2.2 Choose the Country of Origin

Kenya allows car imports from many countries, but most vehicles come from:

• Japan 🇯🇵 — Most popular, best prices, strict grading (auction system)

• UK 🇬🇧 — Right-hand drive, great for luxury vehicles

• UAE 🇦🇪 — Used for newer models and exotic cars

📌 Ensure the car is not older than 8 years from the current year. In 2025, you can only import cars manufactured from 2018 onwards.

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🧑‍💻 2.3 Find a Trusted Exporter or Dealer

This is the most important part — your car’s quality and your money’s safety depend on it.

✅ What to Look For:

• Company registered with JUMVEA (if Japanese)

• Verified physical address and contact info

• Auction sheet and chassis number for every car

• Escrow payment or bank invoice (never Western Union)

🔍 Tips to Verify:

• Google reviews and TrustPilot

• Ask for video or live walkaround of the vehicle

• Cross-check chassis number on auction sheet platforms

⚠️ We’ll cover how to spot scams in Chapter 6.

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📄 2.4 Confirm the Vehicle’s Documents

Once you select a car, request the following:

• Auction sheet with grade (see Chapter 1)

• JEVIC or inspection certificate (depending on country)

• Logbook or deregistration certificate

• Photos of engine, undercarriage, interior, and odometer

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💳 2.5 Make Payment Safely

Common methods:

• Telegraphic Transfer (TT) via bank — most common

• Escrow service (trusted middleman holds funds)

• Partial deposit (only if company is well known)

🔐 Avoid direct personal payments, Western Union, or crypto. Insist on company invoice with bank details.

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🚢 2.6 Arrange for Pre-Shipment Inspection & Shipping

Inspection bodies accepted in Kenya:

• JEVIC – Japan

• QISJ – UK/UAE

• EAA – UAE

🚨 Kenya REQUIRES all vehicles to be inspected before shipment. No inspection = entry denied or massive penalties.

Shipping method:

• RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) – Cheaper, standard

• Container – More secure, but expensive

Shipping typically takes:

• Japan: 4–6 weeks

• UK/UAE: 2–4 weeks

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⚓ 2.7 Clearing at Mombasa Port

Once the ship arrives:

1. Clearing agent receives documents

2. Pays port charges and customs taxes (based on KRA valuation)

3. Submits vehicle for KEBS and KRA inspection

4. Car is released from port to you or transporter

Documents required:

• Bill of Lading

• Original Inspection Certificate

• Export Certificate / Logbook

• KRA PIN & ID

• NTSA TIMS account login

📌 You’ll typically pay the clearing agent a fee (~KES 30,000–50,000).

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🚗 2.8 Register the Car with NTSA and Get Number Plates

Once cleared, the car must be registered in your name through NTSA TIMS.

Steps:

• NTSA verifies customs clearance

• You apply for registration on TIMS

• Pay number plate fee (approx. KES 7,000–10,000)

• Receive your plates within 7–10 days

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✅ Summary Checklist

✅ Step	📄 Done?
Choose budget and car type	☐
Pick a country of origin	☐
Verify trusted exporter	☐
Confirm documents & auction sheet	☐
Make safe payment	☐
Book pre-shipment inspection	☐
Ship car and track arrival	☐
Hire clearing agent	☐
Clear at Mombasa port	☐
Register via NTSA TIMS	☐
Receive number plates	☐

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In the next chapter, we’ll go deeper into how to calculate the taxes involved, with step-by-step examples and tools to estimate your total cost