Buying Japanese Used Cars in Kenya

Japanese used cars have built a solid reputation around the globe. People from every corner of the world prefer Japanese cars. In Kenya, the citizenry has a craze for these imported cars.

Most Japanese used cars in Kenya are affordable, durable, maintained, and of supreme quality. The vehicles are the main product of Japan’s exports to Kenya. In 2019, Japan exported $404m worth of cars to Kenya.

Furthermore, anyone from Kenya can order from an online Japanese car auction at a much lower price. But it is always recommended that you buy a car according to your budget. If you delay the payment, you won’t get your car.

That said, there are different policies and regulations governing the purchase of such cars in Kenya. The present post delves into detail on the particulars of these rules.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Rules and Regulation of Kenya

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), in coordination with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), has implemented strict laws that must be adhered to. Before going about ordering your car, bear the following in mind:

• The cars under 1500cc should not be older than 8-years from the production date.
• The cars above 1500cc should not be older than 5-years from the production date.
• You can’t import left-hand drive vehicles in Kenya; only right-hand drive is allowed except for special vehicles such as Ambulance.
• The vehicle must be quality-wise good, environmentally friendly, and roadworthy.
• You need to hire a dealer who can take care of all the paperwork and customs clearance.
• JEVIC must inspect all cars before leaving the Japan port.

Documentations

To import Japanese used cars in Kenya, you must have the following documents:

• JEVIC issues the Pre-inspection certificate in Japan and original national passport.
• KRA PIN.
• Bill of landing (Includes all the necessary details about the car).
• The car registration documents from Japan.
• The evidence of insurance and import declaration form.
• Post-release order and clean report of finding.
• Import duty receipt.
• Make sure to check the list of cars allowed in Kenya on the KRA website.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Kenya

The estimated cost is calculated by vehicle price, custom duty, and freight charges.

• 25% import duty to Kenya Revenue Authority.
• 2% CIF amount. It is considered as the Import Declaration Fee.
• Excise duty 25 to 30%. It is the combination of Import duty and customer value.
• At last, 16% of Value-added Tax (CIF + Import duty + Excise duty).

Important Notes

Japanese used cars are no doubt the best vehicles currently. But if you are unsure about selecting a car from an online auction or are unfamiliar with the process of shipment and customs clearance, you may seek assistance from a dealer.

Final Verdict

Japan provides high-performance vehicles equipped with cutting-edge safety systems. Japanese used cars will serve you well for a long time without requiring costly maintenance. You may locate a decent budget vehicle by reviewing its previous history at an online auction and then resell it for a reasonable price if you so desired.