Kenya is one of the biggest markets in the world for used Japanese cars, and for good reason: Kenya drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars need no conversion, and Japanese cars are known to be well maintained and honestly graded at auction. But Kenya also has one of the strictest age rules of any importing country. If you get that part wrong, the car can be refused at Mombasa.
This guide explains the rules, the paperwork, how long shipping takes and what a car actually costs delivered to Mombasa, using real prices from our current stock.
The 8-Year Rule
Kenya only allows used vehicles up to 8 years old, counted from the year of first registration. The rule is set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
In practice, in 2026 that means you should be looking at cars from roughly 2018–2019 onward. Because the age is counted from the date of first registration, a car that is borderline (for example a 2018 car shipped late in the year) can fail by a few months. Always confirm a borderline car with us before you pay, and we will check its first-registration date on the Japanese export certificate.
Of the cars in our stock right now, 71 meet Kenya's age rule.
KEBS Pre-Export Inspection
Every used vehicle shipped to Kenya must pass a pre-export roadworthiness inspection in Japan by a KEBS-approved inspection company before it is loaded. The inspector checks the car's condition, safety items and mileage, and issues a certificate that customs at Mombasa will ask for.
We book the inspection for you once the car is paid for. A car that fails has to be repaired and re-inspected (or swapped), which is one more reason to choose a clean car at the start. For more detail on the inspection bodies, see our guide to pre-shipment inspections for Japanese cars.
Documents You Will Need
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Certificate of Origin
- Import Declaration Form (IDF)
- KEBS pre-export inspection certificate
We provide the export certificate, invoice and Bill of Lading from our side. Your clearing agent in Mombasa lodges the IDF and handles customs.
How Much Does It Cost? Real Delivered Prices
Here is what cars in our current stock cost delivered to the Port of Mombasa (September 2026). Every car counted here meets the 8-year rule.
| Type of car | Examples in stock | Delivered to Mombasa |
|---|---|---|
| Kei vans and mini trucks | Suzuki Every, Carry, Wagon R | from about $2,500 |
| Family estates | Corolla Touring / Fielder | about $5,500–$13,000 |
| Hybrid SUVs | Honda Vezel, Toyota Yaris Cross | about $10,000–$20,000 |
| Vans | Toyota Hiace, Voxy | about $8,500–$14,500 |
Across all 71 eligible cars, the middle price is about $10,000 delivered. Delivered = car price + ocean freight to the port, rounded up to the next $500. Insurance, import duty/taxes, port and clearing charges are extra.
Kenya charges import duty, excise duty and VAT on the car. The Kenya Revenue Authority works the duty out from its own valuation list for each model, not only from the invoice, so ask your clearing agent for a duty estimate on the exact model before you pay for the car. For a step-by-step way to add everything up, use our true landed cost guide.
You can see every eligible car with its delivered price on our Kenya page.
How Long Does Shipping Take?
Shipping from Japan to Mombasa usually takes 30–40 days by RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) ship. Add time for the KEBS inspection before loading and for customs clearance after arrival. Our shipping times guide explains what affects the schedule.
What Sells Well in Kenya
- Suzuki Every and Carry: cheap to buy and run, ideal for small businesses and deliveries. See our Every, Carry and Wagon R guide.
- Toyota Hiace: the workhorse van for passengers and cargo. See the Hiace buying guide.
- Honda Vezel and Toyota Yaris Cross: fuel-saving hybrid SUVs for city driving.
- Toyota Voxy and Noah: 7–8 seat family vans.
How to Buy Safely
- Pick a car that meets the 8-year rule and ask us to confirm its first-registration date.
- Check the auction sheet (we translate it for you). Our auction sheet guide shows you what the codes mean.
- Get a duty estimate from your clearing agent.
- Ask us for an official proforma invoice from the car's page, then pay by bank transfer to our company account.
- We arrange the KEBS inspection and shipping, and send you the documents for clearing.
Never pay a private individual's account for a car from Japan. Our guide on choosing a trustworthy exporter explains the warning signs.
Questions about a specific car for Kenya? Message us on WhatsApp from any car page, and we'll confirm eligibility and the delivered price the same day.