What is the 8-year rule for importing cars to Kenya?
Last updated · Cada car guides
Kenya's 8-year rule, set by the KEBS standard KS 1515, admits used cars only if they are less than eight years old counted from the year of first registration. The window rolls forward every 1 January: a car arriving in 2026 must have been first registered in 2019 or later, and one arriving in 2027 in 2020 or later. The age is checked on arrival, so a car bought in December can fail if it lands in January.
| Standard | KS 1515 (KEBS), enforced through pre-export inspection |
|---|---|
| Year that counts | Year of first registration |
| Extra condition | Less than one year between manufacture and first registration |
| When checked | On arrival in Kenya |
| Returning residents | Separate KRA rule: up to 8 years from year of manufacture |
Which years qualify now
| Car arrives in Kenya in | Oldest first-registration year allowed |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2019 |
| 2027 | 2020 |
A car paid for today would typically arrive around 22 December 2026.
How to check a car against the rule
KEBS has published a draft revision of the standard (DKS 1515:2025) for comment. Cada will update this guide if the age rule changes.
- Read the first registration date on the Japanese export certificate (de-registration certificate), not the model year in the advert.
- Add the shipping time. From Japan expect about two months from payment to arrival.
- If the arrival falls in a new year, the oldest allowed year moves up by one.
Common questions
Is the 8-year rule counted from manufacture or registration?
From first registration for normal imports under KS 1515, with manufacture and first registration less than a year apart. KRA's returning-resident exemption counts from manufacture.
Does the rule apply to new cars?
It applies to used vehicles. New cars from franchise dealers are outside it.
On Cada
Sources
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the authority named in the sources before you pay.