Duty Free Car Importation into Kenya for Returning Residents

A lot of Kenyans in the Diaspora are moving back to Kenya so we felt this article will help many of those looking to take their treasured vehicle back with them.

Firstly, the regulations for exporting cars to Kenya still apply hence they still have to meet the age limit set by the government; they would still need their vehicles inspected by JEVIC and the vehicle should not be LHD. Please read more on our other post on rules and regulations for exporting cars to Kenya.

Please also find other requirements for duty free car imports as follows:

  • The person must have attained the age of 18 years
  • The vehicle is registered in his/her name for a period of at least 365 days excluding the shipment period.
  • The vehicle should arrive within 90 days of the owners arrival
  • The owner must have stayed in the foreign country for more then two years
  • Within the two years that the owner has been away, they ought not to have made a visit and stayed in Kenya for a period exceeding in aggregate of 90 days. Hence if you travelled in 2009 for 60 days and then travelled in 2010 for a 60 days – in total those are 120 days and hence if this was within the past two years from when you were returning you would not meet the requirements.

Documentation required for clearing the vehicle:

  • Original passport to confirm the above
  • Vehicle Log book to confirm the above
  • Bill of Lading
  • Pre Inspection Certificate
  • KRA Pin Card

As many of you may know, KRA have become very strict in their requirements and they recently published an article in the Daily Nation with respect to vehicles imported by returning residents. Please see below:

Lastly, please find a file with the East Africa Community Customs Management Act – Fifth Schedule below:

EACCMA – Fifth Schedule.pdf

As always, Auto Kenya, can be contacted at any time for further information or clarification.

Comments are closed.