🚗 Top 10 Mistakes Kenyans Make When Importing Cars (And How to Avoid Them)

Importing a car into Kenya can be one of the smartest financial moves you make — but it can also become a costly disaster if you're not well-informed. Whether you're a first-time car buyer or a seasoned importer, the process is full of pitfalls that can cost you time, money, and even your vehicle.

This article explores the 10 most common mistakes Kenyans make when importing cars, and more importantly, how you can avoid them using practical tips, official guidelines, and smart tools like Code & Clutch’s calculators and agents.

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1. Importing a Car That’s Too Old

The Law: Kenya’s vehicle import policy only allows cars that are 8 years old or newer from the year of registration. That means in 2025, the oldest car you can legally import must be manufactured in 2017 or later.

❌ Common Mistake:

Many buyers mistake the first registration year for the manufacturing year. For instance, a car registered in 2017 but manufactured in 2016 is not eligible for import in 2025.

✅ Solution:

• Confirm the year of manufacture (YOM) on the logbook and chassis.

• Request a pre-shipment inspection certificate (like JEVIC or QISJ) for verification.

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2. Underestimating KRA Import Taxes

Import taxes in Kenya are significantly high, sometimes doubling the cost of the car.

🚨 Taxes You Will Pay:

• Import Duty: 25% of Customs Value

• Excise Duty: 20–35% (based on engine size)

• VAT: 16%

• Import Declaration Fee (IDF): 2.25%

• Railway Development Levy (RDL): 1.5%

❌ Common Mistake:

People budget for the car price and shipping only, not realizing that taxes can add 60–100% more.

✅ Solution:

Use the Code & Clutch KRA Tax Calculator to estimate:

• Tax breakdown based on car make, model, and year

• CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight)

• CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price)

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3. Using Unregistered Clearing Agents

Many importers fall prey to fake or unlicensed clearing agents, especially in Mombasa Port.

❌ Common Mistake:

Paying a large clearing fee to someone on WhatsApp without verifying their credentials, only for them to disappear or delay the clearance.

✅ Solution:

• Only work with KRA-licensed agents

• Ask for a valid badge number

• Use vetted agents from Code & Clutch’s recommended list

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4. Failing to Pre-Inspect the Vehicle

Kenyan law requires mandatory inspection before shipment to ensure the vehicle is:

• Roadworthy

• Not stolen

• Within environmental emission limits

❌ Common Mistake:

Some buyers ship the car without JEVIC (Japan) or QISJ (UK/UAE) certification, leading to penalties or re-export.

✅ Solution:

Ensure your exporter arranges for inspection before the vehicle leaves the port of origin.

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5. Ignoring Hidden Fees at the Port

Aside from shipping and duty, there are other unavoidable costs:

• Port Storage Fees (charged per day after 4–7 days)

• NTSA Registration Fees

• Number Plate Fee

• Logbook Processing

• Third-party Insurance (mandatory)

❌ Common Mistake:

Underbudgeting by forgetting these charges.

✅ Solution:

Get a complete quote breakdown upfront using Code & Clutch’s end-to-end cost estimator tool.

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6. Delaying Clearance After Vehicle Arrival

After the car arrives at the Port of Mombasa, you typically have a free window of 4–7 days. After that, port storage fees begin to pile up daily.

❌ Common Mistake:

Delaying the clearance process due to cash flow issues, paperwork, or lack of an agent.

✅ Solution:

• Track vessel arrival via shipping line updates

• Prepare KRA tax and NTSA registration funds before the car lands

• Use a trusted clearing agent for fast processing

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7. Importing Cars with Expensive Maintenance

Some European cars might be cheap to import but very expensive to maintain in Kenya.

❌ Common Mistake:

Buying a second-hand BMW 320i or Audi A4 for cheap, only to find out:

• Spare parts are rare or very costly

• Mechanics are not familiar with repairs

• Fuel economy is poor

✅ Solution:

• Stick to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda — reliable and affordable to maintain

• Use platforms like Code & Clutch to compare local serviceability ratings

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8. Choosing High Engine Capacity Vehicles

In Kenya, cars above certain engine capacity thresholds are taxed much higher:

• Under 1500cc: Lower excise duty

• 1500cc – 2000cc: Moderate taxes

• Above 2000cc: High excise duty (30–35%)

❌ Common Mistake:

Importing a 2400cc car and getting slapped with a KSh 1M tax bill.

✅ Solution:

• Use the engine size vs tax comparison tool on Code & Clutch

• Stick to small, efficient engines if budget-sensitive

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9. Trusting Overseas Sellers Without Verification

It’s tempting to trust exporters from Japan or the UK offering “deals” through websites or WhatsApp.

❌ Common Mistake:

Paying a deposit or full price to a fraudulent exporter, only to receive:

• A different car than ordered

• No car at all

• Fake documentation

✅ Solution:

• Use known marketplaces: Be Forward, SBT Japan, Autocom Japan

• Ask for live car photos, chassis number, auction sheet, and references

• Use Code & Clutch to verify exporters and negotiate safely

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10. Not Planning for the Full Import Journey

Importing a car isn’t just about buying one and waiting — it's a full process that includes:

• Currency exchange fluctuations

• Documentation (bill of lading, IDF, inspection)

• Customs clearance

• NTSA registration

• Number plate issuing

• Vehicle collection or delivery

❌ Common Mistake:

Starting the process without understanding what comes after.

✅ Solution:

Use a step-by-step checklist or let Code & Clutch handle the full import for you.

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Bonus Mistake: Paying Before Generating a Valid Quote

Many buyers jump straight to sending money before they have:

• CIF cost

• Tax estimate

• Port and local clearance cost

✅ Better Approach:

With Code & Clutch, you:

1. Enter your car details

2. Generate a valid quote

3. Pay via Pesapal only after confirming the total cost

This prevents budget surprises and ensures secure transactions.

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🚀 How Code & Clutch Can Help You Avoid All These Mistakes

At Code & Clutch, we’ve helped hundreds of Kenyans import cars without the stress, confusion, or losses. Here's how we help:

• ✅ Free KRA Tax & CIF Calculator

• ✅ Origin-based quote generator (Japan, UK, UAE)

• ✅ Trusted clearing agents & shipping partners

• ✅ WhatsApp Import Assistant (0717423659)

• ✅ Secure Pesapal payments after quote approval

• ✅ Mobile App (offline) with full tools

• ✅ Real-time support during the entire import journey

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🏁 Final Thoughts

Car importation doesn’t have to be scary — it just has to be smart.

Avoiding these 10 mistakes can save you hundreds of thousands of shillings and make your experience seamless. With the right tools, knowledge, and support, you’ll get exactly what you ordered, on time and on budget.

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📲 Ready to Import?

✅ Visit Code & Clutch
✅ Chat on WhatsApp: 0717423659
✅ Try our Free Car Import Calculator
✅ Pay via Pesapal only when ready!