What is the age limit for importing cars to Kenya?
Vehicles must be no more than 8 years old from the date of first registration. Vehicles exceeding this limit will be denied entry.
Shipping a Car to Kenya from the UK: Costs, Rules & Process
Everything you need to know about shipping your vehicle from the UK to Kenya — Mombasa port, costs, customs, and regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pre-shipment inspection for Kenya?
Yes. A PVoC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) inspection is mandatory before shipping. This must be done in the UK by an approved inspector.
How much are import duties in Kenya?
Total duties and taxes typically amount to 60–80% of the CIF value, including 25% import duty, 20% excise duty, and 16% VAT.
Can I ship a right-hand-drive car to Kenya?
Yes. Kenya drives on the left, so UK right-hand-drive vehicles are fully compatible without any conversion.
How does the Kenya excise on engine size work?
Excise duty scales with engine displacement: under 1500cc = 25%, 1500-3000cc = 25%, over 3000cc = 35%. A V8 Land Cruiser pays 10% more excise than a 4-cylinder Prado on identical CIF — meaningfully changes the landed-cost equation. Where possible, smaller-engine variants of the same model save £1,500-£3,500.
Can I import a vehicle for a Kenyan business?
Yes — commercial imports (pickup, lorry, plant) are common. Commercial vehicles face the same 8-year age cap but enjoy slightly lower excise rates and KRA processes them through a separate import declaration form (IDF). Most expat-run safari and tour businesses import Land Cruisers and Hiluxes this way.
Get a free quote · WhatsApp +44 7376 584421 · info@theshipcars.co.uk