How to Import Japanese Cars for Sale in Kenya

In the ever-evolving automotive world, one giant that stands tall in terms of popularity is Japanese manufacturers. Following the ‘Kaizen’ philosophy, Japanese manufacturers have constantly improved their engineering strategies and quality. Hence, Japanese automotive products have taken the world by storm. With a strong regulatory and export network, Japanese cars for sale have reached the local markets of Kenya. Whether you are looking for a family sedan or even an affordable luxury vehicle, Japanese Cars for Sale in Kenya are now attainable all the way in Kenya. Let us delve into how to import Japanese cars to Kenya. 

Why Are So Many Japanese Cars For Sale in Kenya?

It may not come as a surprise that Japanese cars for sale have been dominating the Kenyan automotive market in recent decades. There are several reasons for the wide availability of Japanese used cars for sale in Kenya. 

Japanese manufacturers have strict quality standards and Japan has a bi-annual vehicle inspection system which discourages the long-term ownership of Japanese cars. This way, all Japanese cars being exported have low mileage and are in excellent condition regardless of their age. These thoroughly inspected vehicles are then exported to regions like Kenya where there is minimal local production and the automotive market mainly relies on imports.

Since Japanese used cars for sale in Kenya are one of the very limited options available to Kenyan car buyers; they mostly rely on buying second-hand or importing a Japanese vehicle to Kenya. 

Is It Cheaper To Buy A Car And Export It?

Yes, buying a car from a foreign market is known to be more economical than purchasing it locally. Buying and importing from a country like Japan, where competing manufacturing brands have certified and well-maintained cars for affordable prices. By excluding a dealership altogether and taking matters into your own hands, your expenses will still be lower than buying locally. 

How Much Is Import Tax On A Japanese Car In Kenya?

The import tax on Japanese cars depends on a few metrics such as the model’s age, condition, and customs valuation. Total import duties include custom values(CIF), the base price of your Japanese car, and transportation charges. 

1. Import Duty: 25% of the CIF value

2. Excise Duty: 25-35% of the CIF value. 

3. VAT: 16% of (Import Duty + Excise Duty)

4. Import Declaration Cost: 3.5% of the CIF value. 

Why Import Japanese Cars For Sale?

Before we delve into the extensive details of importing your Japanese vehicle, let us discuss why purchasing a Japanese used car for sale is worth every penny.

• Firstly, you save up significantly by purchasing a Japanese car, surprisingly even after factoring in import duties. Japanese vehicles are generally engineered at cheap costs to offer high quality. 

• As discussed above, Japanese used cars for sale are highly reliable because of their detail-oriented engineering, maintaining a standard of quality to uphold. 

• Since Japanese vehicles are leading the automotive industry, there are several competing brands that are popular for their diverse attributes. Most Japanese cars possess advanced technology and practical features, making inexpensive vehicles more modern.

How To Import A Japanese Car To Kenya?

Import Regulations in Kenya:

To understand the procedure of importing a Japanese vehicle to Kenya, you must know the following import regulations:

• Your vehicle must not be older than 8 years after its year of manufacture, or else it is too old to be imported. 

• The vehicle has to necessarily be a right-hand drive vehicle to corroborate with the traffic trends in Kenya. You may import a left-hand drive vehicle - if you are ready to sponsor an expensive conversion. 

• Your Japanese vehicle must have passed the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center to ensure your vehicle is not illegal or stolen. Your imported vehicle must also comply with the KEBS emission standards.

Calculate The Costs:

Now, no one said importing a Japanese vehicle will not come at a cost, a daily healthy one at that. You will need to factor in several expenditures during the process. Firstly, the cost of the car model will be taken as the base price. Shipping costs will typically range from $900-1200 depending on the shipping company. Additionally, import taxes such as the import duty, excise duty, and VAT will be added to the bill. 

Moving on, you can expect to pay another 65,000 KSh for inspection, port clearance, and registration fees for your vehicle. If you want to get a more accurate cost quotation for the total shipment charges for your specific vehicle, you can use a KRA calculator online to get a rough estimate. 

Pick A Reliable Dealer:

• When shipping an automobile overseas, you must be sure to hire a trustworthy agent, who will offer you the best deal and services possible. You are to either find an auction agent or hire a reputable car-exporting platform. 

• One such incredible auto trading platform is SAT Japan, known for its impeccable worldwide shipment services. One must choose whether they want to auction their Japanese vehicle or purchase a used or new one. 

• If choosing the auction, you must bid cautiously, asking for guidance from your agent to reach the best possible win. If you want to buy from their inventory, scroll through the endless options and get in touch with their sales team immediately. 

• Pro tip: always do the due diligence of researching and reaching a final decision on model and price range. This gives you clarity and more negotiating power during the purchasing process. 

Custom Clearance:

Once you have reserved the vehicle, your agent will handle the shipment, choosing either the Roll-On-Roll-Off or Container Shipping. Once your car is safely shipped to the Kenyan Mombasa Port within 8-12 weeks, you will need to keep some documentation handy. While car buyers usually opt for a clearing agent, SAT Japan lends its expertise to car buyers throughout the procedure. 

Although importing a Japanese car to Kenya may seem like a challenge, a strategic and well-informed approach will have you flexing your new car in no time, researching your region’s import regulations, finding a reputable agent, finalizing your dream ride, having a conclusive price range in mind, and staying compliant with shipment schedules can all be a bit too much, SAT Japan is a leading Japanese car exporter, known for its transparent and hassle-free purchasing process. Surf through SAT Japan’s extensive inventory of Japanese vehicles and get in touch with the sales team to import your Japanese car to Kenya without breaking the bank. Happy importing!