Kenya enforces eight-year age limit rule for imported vehicles
The Kenyan government through the Bureau of Standards has announced an importation ban on all vehicles registered in 2016 or earlier.
A notice published in a weekly dated December 5 outlines that vehicles with a year of first registration from January 1, 2017, and onwards will be accepted, the Star reports.
Starting January 1, 2024, regulations impacting returning residents, diplomatic staff, and the general public specify that only right-hand drive vehicles complying with the directive will be permitted to enter the country.
“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,” read the statement in part.
Adding that, “Any vehicle registered in 2016 or earlier, arriving after December 31, 2023, will be deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected at the importer’s expense.”
Any vehicle imported from these countries - Japan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, and South Africa - must be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc., Japan. This inspection company is contracted by KEBS, according to the statement.
The market for second-hand motor vehicles in Kenya represents 85% of car purchases and holds a dominant position, with annual import levels reaching 90,000 units, Bizna Kenya reports.
