Import a car from Japan to Kenya
Kenya drives on the left and sources most of its used cars from Japan. We bid at the auctions on RHD units within the 8-year rule, arrange the required pre-export inspection and ship to Mombasa; you clear with the KRA.
East Africa’s largest market for RHD Japanese cars
What Kenya requires
Kenya enforces a strict rule requiring vehicles to be less than 8 years old from first registration and a mandatory KEBS-appointed roadworthiness inspection in Japan before shipping, so matching the age and passing inspection are essential before you bid.
8-year age rule
A car imported into Kenya must be less than 8 years old from first registration — in 2026, roughly a 2019 build or newer. We check the year on every sheet.
Right-hand drive required
Kenya requires imported used vehicles to be right-hand drive — the Japanese market matches by default.
Pre-export inspection (QISJ)
A KEBS-appointed roadworthiness inspection is mandatory before shipping. QISJ is the current contractor covering vehicles exported from Japan. We arrange it and provide the certificate.
Duties at your end. Kenya applies import duty, excise duty and VAT (plus IDF and Railway Development Levy) assessed on the KRA’s Current Retail Selling Price. These are paid to the Kenya Revenue Authority and are not in the JapanAuc landed cost — confirm current rates locally.
How to import to Kenya with JapanAuc
Register & set a budget
Sign up free and place a refundable deposit. Tell us your target model and budget, and that it’s headed to Kenya.
Find eligible cars
We filter the auctions to RHD units under 8 years from first registration that will pass the KEBS inspection, and translate the auction sheet so you bid with confidence.
Win & inspect
We bid on your behalf. On winning, the car moves to our yard for real yard-in photos, then we arrange the QISJ pre-export inspection.
Pay the balance invoice
After you’ve seen the yard-in photos, settle the balance (hammer price + commission + export + freight) by bank transfer, Wise or PayPal.
Export & ship
We complete export deregistration, book RoRo or a container to Mombasa, and send you the Bill of Lading and full document pack.
Clear at Mombasa
Your Kenyan clearing agent pays the import duty, excise and VAT and registers the car with the NTSA. We help with any document you need.
Osaka · Kobe
Japan → Mombasa
Cars for Kenya sail by RoRo or in a container from Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka or Kobe to Mombasa.
Models buyers ask for
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
The upcountry favorite — tough and in demand.
Toyota Harrier
Premium crossover with strong resale.
Toyota Noah / Voxy
8-seat family mover for busy roads.
Mazda Axela / Demio
Economical daily cars with cheap parts.
Your JapanAuc landed cost to Mombasa
Everything JapanAuc charges is in Japanese yen and transparent: the hammer price you win at, our commission (flat ¥35,000 up to ¥1,000,000, then 3.5%), the Export Package (auction-house fee + inland transport + export handling), then ocean freight. Added up, that’s your CIF Mombasa price.
Kenyan import duty, excise and VAT (on the KRA CRSP) are charged separately on arrival — not part of our quote. Use the calculator for a live CIF figure, then add your local clearing costs.
Importing to Kenya — common questions
A car must be less than 8 years old from first registration — in 2026 that’s roughly a 2019 build or newer. We only bid on eligible units.
Yes — a KEBS-appointed roadworthiness inspection in Japan is mandatory before shipping. QISJ is the current contractor for vehicles exported from Japan; we arrange it and provide the certificate.
Kenya requires imported used vehicles to be right-hand drive, matching Japan.
Roughly 24–35 days to Mombasa, depending on the sailing.
Ready to import your car to Kenya?
Register free, tell us your model, and we’ll find eligible cars at the source.