KEBS Statement on Age Limit of Importation of Used Second Hand Vehicles in Kenya

Pursuant to the provision of KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, and Legal Notice No.78 of 28th April 2020 - The Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards of Imports Order, we wish to notify all importers of used/second-hand motor vehicles, including returning residents, diplomatic staff, and the general public, that in observance of clause 2.5 of KS 1515:2000 on the eight (8) year age limit requirement, only Right Hand Drive (RHD) motor vehicles whose year of first registration is from 1st January 2019 and later shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2026.

Vehicles exported to Kenya shall be expected to comply with KS 1515:2000 - Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, while vehicles from countries where KEBS has an inspection agency (i.e., Japan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, and South Africa) shall be accompanied with a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ), which is an inspection company contracted by KEBS.

Further, the Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2018 will not be valid after 31st December 2025. All vehicles issued with such certificates must arrive at the Port of Destination/Entry by 31st December 2025. Any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier, arriving after 31st December 2025, will be deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected at the importer's expense.

MANAGING DIRECTOR