Kenya is an important market for the import for used cars from Japan. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has appointed JEVIC to conduct the pre-export Road Worthiness Inspection (RWI) of used cars from Japan, and other countries like RSA, Singapore, UAE and the UK in Republic of Kenya.
This inspection was initiated to minimize the risk of unsafe and substandard vehicles entering Kenyan market, thus ensuring the health, safety and environmental protection for Kenyans. All used vehicles must meet the KEBS requirements of this important safety pre-export inspection.
The major points of the Road Worthiness Inspection (RWI) are as mentioned below:
1.The vehicle must be less than 8 years of age.
2.The vehicle must be Right hand drive (left hand drive vehicles are not allowed for registration unless they are for special purpose i.e. Ambulances, Fire Tenders and large construction vehicles imported for projects and to be eventually donated to the Kenyan Government.).
3.The used vehicles must pass a safety and mechanical inspection.
4.Vehicle odometer reading must be consistent with the documented mileage. Fraudulent tampering or replacement clusters are not permitted.
The duty payable on the importation of a used vehicles from Japan used Car Exporters are as follows:
1. Import Duty:- 25% of the CIF value of the vehicle.
2.Excise Duty:- 20% of the (CIF value + Import Duty).
3.VAT:- 16% of the (CIF value + Import Duty + Excise Duty).
Import Declaration Fee (IDF) of 2.25% of the CIF is also charged subject to a minimum of KSH. 5,000 payable in advance on application.
Mombasa is the shipping port in Kenya where the used cars are imported from Japan. To clear the vehicle through Kenya Customs, a Japan used car importer may contact a licensed clearing agent who will pay the required duties and taxes and present all the relevant documentation for Customs to pass the entry.
The documents required while clearing the used cars at the port are as follows:
1.Original Commercial Invoice.
2.Original Bill of Lading.
3.Import Declaration Form obtained from Customs.
4.Authentic Original Logbook from country of origin. Kenya Revenue Authority shall not accept a Certificate of Export issued by Dubai Police or any other authority as a substitute for a foreign log book.
If the logbook is in a foreign language, an English translation issued by the respective Embassy, High Commission or a consulate based here in Kenya must be furnished to Customs to authenticate the foreign logbook.
5.Cancellation of the foreign Logbook.
6.Certificate of Inspection by Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center (JEVIC).
7.Any other document that may be required by Customs.
Note: The vehicle must meet Kenya Bureau of Standards KS 1515:2000 Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.
All imports of used motor vehicles including those belonging to returning residents, diplomats and or public servants must meet the above requirements.
Returning Residents changing residence from a place outside Kenya to a place within Kenya, may import one exempt motor vehicle excluding buses and minibuses of seating capacity of more than 13 passengers and load carrying capacity exceeding two tonnes provided that:
1.The person has attained the age of eighteen years;.
2.The vehicle was used by him outside Kenya for at least three hundred and sixty days (excluding the period of voyage in the case of shipment).
3.The vehicle is owned and registered in his name and/or his spouse, and where the motor vehicle is purchased on hire purchase terms, the first installment in respect thereof was paid and delivery taken at least three hundred and sixty days prior to importation.