🧪 What is JEVIC? Understanding Pre-Shipment Inspection for Car Imports to Kenya

If you’re importing a used car into Kenya — especially from Japan, the UK, or the UAE — you’ve probably heard of JEVIC. It’s not just another acronym.

JEVIC is one of the most important mandatory inspections required before your car can be shipped to Kenya.

But what exactly is JEVIC? Why does Kenya require it? What does the inspection check? And how can you ensure your car passes?

This comprehensive guide explains everything a Kenyan car buyer or importer needs to know about JEVIC — from start to finish.

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🧐 What Does JEVIC Stand For?

JEVIC stands for:

Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center

It’s an independent Japanese company that provides pre-shipment inspection, verification, and vehicle history certification services for used vehicles.

Kenya has authorized JEVIC to ensure imported vehicles meet specific standards before they arrive in the country.

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🇰🇪 Why Kenya Requires JEVIC Certification

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) introduced JEVIC to:

✅ Prevent importation of vehicles that are too old
✅ Detect tampered mileage or stolen vehicles
✅ Ensure road safety by filtering out damaged or unsafe units
✅ Simplify customs clearance at Mombasa port

Since 2009, JEVIC inspection has been mandatory for all used car imports to Kenya.

📌 Without JEVIC, your vehicle may:

• Be denied entry into Kenya

• Be subjected to extra inspection fees

• Face long clearance delays

• Be rejected or scrapped

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🌍 Where Is JEVIC Done?

JEVIC inspection is performed in the exporting country, before the car is shipped. Main locations include:

• Japan

• United Kingdom

• United Arab Emirates

• Singapore

• South Africa

• Thailand

For Japanese cars, the inspection happens at ports like Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe.

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🧾 What Does JEVIC Inspect?

During the inspection, JEVIC checks:

1. ✅ Year of Manufacture

To ensure compliance with Kenya’s 8-year age limit.
Example: In 2025, you can only import cars manufactured from 2018 onwards.

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2. 🧭 Odometer Verification

• Checks for tampering or clocking

• Uses auction sheet history, service records, and onboard diagnostics

❌ Fake mileage = automatic inspection fail

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3. 🚗 Mechanical and Safety Check

• Brakes

• Lights

• Tires and wheels

• Suspension

• Steering system

• Engine leaks or noise

Goal: Ensure the car is roadworthy for Kenyan roads.

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4. 🧽 Cleanliness (Pest/Soil Contamination Check)

Especially for UK or UAE cars — checks for:

• Soil under fenders (biosecurity hazard)

• Insects or pests

• Plant matter

❌ Dirty underbody = fail. Must be professionally cleaned before passing.

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5. 🆔 Vehicle Identity Verification

• Chassis number

• VIN tag

• Engine number

• Compliance with export documents

This ensures the car is not stolen or cloned.

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6. 🔖 Radiation Testing (Japan only)

For Japanese exports, especially post-Fukushima, radiation tests are done to ensure the car is safe.

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📄 What Does a JEVIC Certificate Look Like?

Once your car passes, you’ll get an official JEVIC certificate, which includes:

• Chassis number

• Make/model

• Mileage (verified)

• Manufacture year

• Inspection results

• JEVIC hologram for authenticity

💡 You’ll also get a JEVIC sticker on the windshield of the car.

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💸 How Much Does JEVIC Inspection Cost?

Fees vary slightly depending on the country, but here’s an average breakdown:

Country	JEVIC Cost (KES Equivalent)
Japan	~KES 14,000 – 18,000
UK	~KES 13,000 – 16,000
UAE	~KES 12,000 – 15,000

👉 This fee is usually included in the cost quoted by your import agent or Japanese exporter.

Always confirm with your agent that JEVIC is included.

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🚫 What Causes a Car to Fail JEVIC?

Common reasons for failure include:

• ❌ Odometer tampering

• ❌ Car is older than Kenya’s 8-year limit

• ❌ Structural rust or damage

• ❌ Major oil leaks

• ❌ Dirty underbody (soil/pest contamination)

• ❌ Unroadworthy tires or brakes

If the car fails, the exporter can:

• Repair the faults and request reinspection

• Choose to export the car to another country

• Scrap or re-auction it

📌 Kenya will not accept a failed JEVIC car.

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🧠 How to Check if Your Car Passed JEVIC

You can verify any JEVIC certificate using their official site:

🌐 https://www.jevic.com

Steps:

1. Go to “Certificate Validation”

2. Enter the JEVIC Reference Number

3. Confirm vehicle details

✅ If real, you’ll see your car’s info, inspection date, and pass status.

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🧑‍🔧 How to Make Sure Your Car Passes

Here are expert tips to ensure a smooth JEVIC inspection:

✅ 1. Use Trusted Exporters or Dealers

They understand JEVIC rules and prepare cars accordingly.

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✅ 2. Verify Auction Sheet Before Purchase

Ensure mileage is genuine before bidding. Auction Grade 3.5+ is ideal.

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✅ 3. Insist on a Clean Underbody

Ask your exporter for underbody steam cleaning, especially if buying from the UK or Dubai.

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✅ 4. Don’t Try to Import Older Vehicles

If your car is beyond 8 years (from registration year), don’t risk it. It will be rejected.

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✅ 5. Ask for a JEVIC Booking Confirmation

A legitimate exporter should show you:

• Booking ID

• Port of inspection

• Expected certificate delivery time

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🚗 What Happens After Your Car Passes JEVIC?

✅ The car is tagged, certified, and cleared for shipping
✅ Certificate is sent via courier or uploaded digitally
✅ Upon arrival in Mombasa, KEBS and KRA accept the JEVIC certificate for clearance
✅ You skip additional QISJ inspections or delays

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📜 What’s the Difference Between JEVIC and KEBS?

Feature	JEVIC	KEBS
Role	Pre-shipment inspection	Kenyan standards enforcement
Location	In exporting country	In Kenya
Focus	Age, mileage, roadworthiness	Local compliance
Requirement	Mandatory before shipment	Accepts JEVIC report

In short: KEBS mandates JEVIC. Once your car passes JEVIC, it’s already compliant with KEBS import standards.

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🤔 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I ship a car to Kenya without JEVIC?

No. It will be denied clearance at the Mombasa port unless you pay for an expensive local inspection — if allowed at all.

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Q2: What if my car fails JEVIC?

The car can’t be shipped to Kenya. Exporter must fix the issue and reinspect, or sell elsewhere.

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Q3: Can I get a fake JEVIC certificate?

Sadly yes — some scammers forge them. Always verify at www.jevic.com or ask for official login access.

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Q4: What if the car is slightly over 8 years old?

Even by one day, it will be rejected. KEBS is very strict. Always confirm the exact month/year.

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🖼️ Image Suggestions for This Article

1. Real JEVIC certificate with Kenyan buyer name blurred

2. Diagram of JEVIC inspection checklist

3. Comparison chart of JEVIC pass vs fail cases

4. Screenshot of the JEVIC verification page

5. Infographic: “5 Steps to Ensure Your Car Passes JEVIC”

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🧠 Final Thoughts

JEVIC is not just a formality — it’s your ticket to smooth car importation into Kenya.

By verifying age, mileage, and safety, JEVIC protects Kenyan roads and consumers from unsafe or shady vehicles.

“A smart car importer always asks: Has this passed JEVIC?”

Don’t get stuck with delays, rejections, or surprise costs.
Confirm JEVIC compliance early — before shipping begins.

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🚀 Need Help with JEVIC or Car Imports?

Let us walk with you from auction sheet to Kenyan road. We’ve helped dozens of importers:

📲 WhatsApp: 0717423659
📩 Email: connectkenyacars@gmail.com
🌐 Visit Code & Clutch