Duty-Free Car Import Guide
Returning Home? How to Import Your Car Duty-Free to Kenya
If you have been living abroad, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) allows you to bring one personal vehicle home 100% Duty-Free. This can save you thousands of dollars in taxes. Here is the simple breakdown of how to qualify and the steps to take.
1. Do you Qualify? (The Checklist)
To get the tax waiver, you must meet these four “Golden Rules”:
- The 2-Year Rule: You must have lived outside Kenya for at least two continuous years.
- The 90-Day Rule: During those two years, you must not have visited Kenya for more than 90 days total.
- The Ownership Rule: You must have owned and used your vehicle for at least 12 months before your return date.
- The 90-Day Deadline: Your car must land in Mombasa within 90 days of your own arrival date in Kenya.
2. The “US Replacement” Rule
Since the US uses Left-Hand Drive (LHD) cars and Kenya requires Right-Hand Drive (RHD), KRA allows you to:
- Sell your US car before you leave.
- Buy a replacement RHD car (e.g., from the UK or Japan).
- Import that replacement car Duty-Free, provided you show proof you owned your US car for at least 12 months.
3. What Documents Do You Need?
We will need the following to clear your car at the port:
- Passports: Your current and any old passports used in the last 2 years (to prove your residency).
- KRA PIN: Your active Kenya Revenue Authority PIN.
- Ownership Proof: The original Logbook/Title from your previous country.
- Disposal Proof: If you are replacing a US car, we need the sales agreement or transfer documents for the car you sold in the US.
- Inspection Certificate: A Certificate of Roadworthiness (COR) from a KEBS-approved inspector (like QISJ).
4. What Will You Still Have To Pay
While you are exempt from Import Duty, VAT, and Excise Duty, there are a few small mandatory fees:
- Railway Development Levy (RDL): 2% of the car’s value.
- Port & Clearing Fees: Standard charges for handling and storage at the Mombasa port.
How APAG Makes It Easy
COMPLIANCE CHECK
We review your passport stamps to ensure you qualify before you ship.
SOURCING
We help you find a high-quality RHD replacement from Japan or the UK.
SHIPPING & CLEARING
We manage the logistics and file the "Exempt Entry" with KRA.
DELIVERY
We register your car with NTSA and deliver it to you in Nairobi, ready to drive.
IMPORT CAR
HOURS OF OPERATION
- MONDAY8:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- TUESDAY8:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- THURSDAY8:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- FRIDAY8:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- SATURDAY9:00 AM - 5.00 PM
- SUNDAYCLOSED