KEBS Tightens Used-Car Import Age Limit for 2026

CN Quick Facts

• Announced by: Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
• Notice date: 13 November 2025
• New cut-off: Vehicles first registered from 1 January 2019
• Effective date: 1 January 2026
• Drive configuration: Right-Hand Drive (RHD)
• Standard referenced: KS 1515:2000
• Previous qualifying registration year: 2018
• Affected: Importers, dealers, returning residents, diplomatic staff and other people importing used vehicles into Kenya

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced a new age cut-off for used motor vehicles imported into the country, with only Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles first registered from 1 January 2019 eligible for importation from 1 January 2026.

The notice, issued in November 2025, follows Kenya’s eight-year age limit for imported used vehicles under KS 1515:2000 – Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.

For people planning to import a used vehicle into Kenya, the change means the vehicle’s year of first registration is particularly important when selecting a car for shipment.

What Did KEBS Announce?

KEBS notified importers of used and second-hand motor vehicles that, from 1 January 2026, only RHD vehicles whose year of first registration is 2019 or later would be allowed into the country.

The notice applies to a broad group of importers, including returning residents, diplomatic staff and members of the general public. KEBS said the requirement is based on the eight-year age limit contained in KS 1515:2000.

The requirement does not simply depend on the vehicle’s model year. Importers need to pay attention to the year of first registration, which is used when determining whether a vehicle falls within the permitted age limit.

Key Details

Why Does the 2019 Cut-Off Matter?

The announcement was significant for Kenya’s second-hand vehicle market because imported used cars account for a large part of the vehicles available to Kenyan buyers.

For importers, the new cut-off reduced the pool of vehicles that could be selected for shipment from overseas markets. A vehicle that might have been eligible under the 2025 requirements could become ineligible if it arrived in Kenya after the applicable deadline.

This is particularly important for dealers and individuals who purchase vehicles several weeks or months before the vehicle reaches the Port of Mombasa.

A vehicle’s eligibility therefore needs to be considered before purchase and shipment, rather than only when the vehicle arrives in Kenya.

What Happened to 2018 Vehicles?

KEBS also set a deadline for vehicles whose year of first registration was 2018.

Certificates of Roadworthiness (CoRs) issued for 2018 vehicles would no longer be valid after 31 December 2025. Vehicles covered by those certificates were required to arrive at the port of destination or entry by that date.

KEBS stated that vehicles registered in 2018 or earlier arriving after the deadline would be considered non-compliant with KS 1515:2000 and could be rejected at the importer’s expense.

This created a narrow shipping window for importers who had already purchased qualifying 2018 vehicles.

How Does the KEBS Rule Affect Used-Car Importers?

The change has several practical implications for people involved in the used-car import business.

1. Importers need to check the registration date

Buyers looking at vehicles from Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, or other source markets need to establish the vehicle’s first registration date before committing to the purchase.

The registration information is important because a vehicle’s eligibility is not determined simply by the model name or the year commonly advertised by a seller.

2. Shipping timelines become important

A vehicle that meets the age requirement when purchased still needs to comply with the applicable requirements when it enters Kenya.

The 2018 deadline demonstrated why importers need to account for inspection, documentation, shipping and port-arrival timelines.

3. Non-compliant vehicles can create additional costs

KEBS states that non-compliant imports may be rejected, with the importer responsible for the associated consequences. KEBS’ general import-inspection guidance also states that imports found not to comply with applicable Kenya Standards are not allowed for sale in the Kenyan market and may have to be returned to their country of origin at the importer’s cost.

What About Vehicles Subject to Destination Inspection?

The November announcement came after KEBS introduced additional document-validation requirements for certain used vehicles undergoing destination inspection.

In July 2025, KEBS announced that importers of used motor vehicles arriving without a Certificate of Roadworthiness would be required to have relevant documents, including logbooks, deregistration certificates or export certificates, validated for age-limit verification.

KEBS said the validation was intended to reduce cases involving forged or fraudulently obtained vehicle documents. The requirement applied to vehicles subject to destination inspection from 14 July 2025.

This means documentation became an important part of establishing whether a used vehicle qualifies for importation.

What Does This Mean for Kenyan Car Buyers?

The new rule primarily affects people importing vehicles, but it can also have an indirect effect on buyers shopping for used vehicles in Kenya.

A tighter import-age window can affect the supply of older imported vehicles entering the market. It can also influence which model years dealers are able to source from overseas markets.

However, the KEBS notice itself does not establish how vehicle prices will change. Any resulting effect on prices would depend on factors such as supply, exchange rates, import taxes, shipping costs and consumer demand.

What Should Importers Check Before Buying?

Anyone planning to import a used vehicle should verify the vehicle’s documentation and eligibility before making payment or arranging shipment.

CN Key Takeaways

• Confirm the year of first registration.
• Confirm that the vehicle is Right-Hand Drive.
• Check compliance with KS 1515 requirements.
• Verify the vehicle’s inspection and roadworthiness documentation.
• Allow sufficient time for shipping and port clearance.
• Do not rely solely on a seller’s advertised model year.
• Confirm the latest requirements with KEBS or the relevant inspection agency before shipment.

What’s Next?

From 1 January 2026, the normal age threshold moved to vehicles first registered in 2019 or later.

The announcement was part of Kenya’s continuing enforcement of standards governing imported used vehicles. KEBS has also continued to update inspection and documentation procedures around imported vehicles.

For importers, the key issue is therefore not only finding a vehicle that meets the age requirement, but also ensuring that its documentation, inspection status and shipment timeline comply with the applicable Kenyan requirements.

Conclusion

Kenya’s used-vehicle age limit is intended to regulate the age and condition of vehicles entering the country under the applicable vehicle inspection standard. The eight-year rule means that the permitted registration year moves forward as the calendar year changes.

The rule is therefore an important consideration for anyone planning to import a used vehicle into Kenya.

CarNews KE will continue tracking changes to vehicle importation, inspection and compliance requirements affecting Kenyan motorists and the automotive industry.

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