The government through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued KEBS new guidelines for the Importation of used or second hand vehicles into the country.
Through a notice dated 4th of December, KEBS said that only vehicles that were registered from January 1st 2017 will be allowed into the country starting from January 2024. Any vehicle import registered before that will not be allowed in
Any kenyan planning to import any vehicle registered before January 1st 2017 will be required to import before or on 31st December 2023.
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“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 January 1, 2017 and later shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2024.”
The notice according to KEBS is in line with the eight year age limit that was imposed on the importation of used vehicles that will ensure that there is regulation of old vehicles being dumped into 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 (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.”
The Bureau insisted in the KEBS new guidelines that any vehicle that is non-compliant with this directive will not be allowed into the country from the import point. And therefore will be rejected at the importer’s expense.
“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.”