Japanese cars are popular in Kenya. If you are thinking of importing one from Japan you will have to pay the import duty. KRA has a simple calculator to help you estimate the importation cost.

The total cost of importing a car from Japan to Kenya

Importing a car from Japan to Kenya will cost you anywhere between 30 and 60 percent of the cost of the vehicle. For instance, a car in Japan whose selling price is Ksh. 500,000 will cost you about Ksh. 240,000 in import duty only.

The import duty cost is exclusive of charges like registration fees, maritime levy, port charges, fuel, and drive configuration.

Also, you have to budget for the shipping fee, import agency fee, transportation, and insurance.

Also, it is essential to confirm whether the vehicle meets the Kenya Bureau of Standard code of practice for inspection of road vehicles, ensuring that the vehicle meets the safety and environmental standards.

In general, the cost of importing a car varies widely depending on several factors. Some of the factors that directly influence the cost of import of a vehicle from Japan to Kenya are as follows:

Roadworthiness

Any second-hand vehicle imported to Kenya inspected for its roadworthiness. Upon inspections, all Japanese cars issued a formal certificate indicating their roadworthiness. This certificate is required at the port when clearing with the Custom requirements.

Age limit

The vehicle shall be less than eight years if less than 1500cc and five years if more than 1500cc from the date of manufacture or year of first registration.

Left-hand drive

All left-hand drive vehicles are not allowed for registration unless they are for a particular purpose approved by the Government of Kenya e.g., Ambulances.

Port of Mombasa custom clearance

To clear the vehicle through the custom services Department of the Kenya Revenue Authority, you have to engage the service of a licensed clearing and forwarding agent with authorized access to the KRA customs system for clearance of cargo. It is essential to include all information required on your custom clearance which provides for:

• The original logbook from the country of origin.
• The original commercial invoice.
• The original bill of landing.
• Import declaration form.
• Duty cost

There are other common determinants of import duty, which in turn influence the price of a specific vehicle right from the plant in which it is manufactured.  Some of these include:

• Vehicle make; Toyota, Subaru, Mercedes, Nissan, and BMW, among others.
• The vehicle model likes Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Forester, and Defender 110.
• Month and year of manufacture, and registration this varies from one vehicle to another.
• The engine capacity of the vehicle determines fuel usage capacity: 1500cc and 1354cc.

You have to pay import duty through customs service’s Department of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) payable to National Bank of Kenya and Co-operative Bank of Kenya when you are clearing an imported vehicle which includes:

• Import duty: 25% of the customs value (CIF) of the vehicle i.e., 25% of (Invoice value + Insurance + Freight charges).
• The Excise duty: 20% of (Custom value + Import Duty).
• VAT: 16% of (Customs Value +Import Duty + Excise Duty).
• IDF: 2.25% of the CIF value or KSHs 5000, whichever is higher, is payable.

Because of the varying costs of importing a car from Japan, many first-time car buyers in Kenya opt to buy vehicles that are already in the country. However, with a little patience, you can seek the services of a reliable car importer to get the car you want.