KEBS announces new import rules for used motor vehicles starting January 2025

• The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced new regulations on the importation of used and second-hand motor vehicles, effective January 1, 2025.
• The regulations impose an age limit of eight years, allowing only right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles whose first year of registration is on or after January 1, 2018.
• Vehicles registered in 2017 or earlier and arriving in Kenya after December 31, 2024 will not meet the compliance requirements and will be rejected at the expense of the importer.

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has over three years of financial experience, businessand expertise in technology research and reporting, providing insight into Kenyan and global trends.

Nairobi, Kenya – The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has informed importers of used and second-hand motor vehicles of the new importation regulations.

The new regulations, which will come into force on January 1, 2025, aim to align imported vehicles with the country’s standards for quality and road safety.

Regulations for importing cars

According to the notice published on MyGovKEBS said the new regulations will implement the eight-year age limit stipulated in clause 2.5 of KS 1515:2000 – Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.

“In accordance with the provision of KS 1515: 2000-Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehir’s and Legal Notice No. 78 dated 28 April 2020 – The Ordinance on Verification of Compliance with Import Standards Kenya, we wish to inform all importers of used/second-hand motor vehicles, including returning residents, diplomatic personnel and the general public, in accordance with the clause. 2.5 of KS 1515.2000 on the age limit requirement of eight (8) years, only right-hand drive (RHD) motor vehicles whose year of first registration is on or after January 1, 2018 will be permitted to enter the country from January 1, 2025,” the KEBS notice reads in part. .

Additionally, KEBS clarified that vehicles registered in 2017 or earlier, arriving in Kenya after December 31, 2024, will not be considered compliant with the updated regulations. These vehicles will be refused at the expense of the importer.

Compliance and inspection

Vehicles exported to Kenya must comply with KS 1515:2000 standards, including being subjected to a thorough inspection in countries where KEBS has authorized inspection agencies, such as Japan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore and South Africa.

These vehicles must also be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) issued by KEBS’ contracted inspection company, Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ).

The notice further stated that roadworthiness certificates for vehicles registered in 2017 or earlier would no longer be valid after December 31, 2024. Importers are requested to ensure compliance with these requirements to avoid rejection of their shipments at the port entry.

KEBS warns against fraudsters

In other news on TUKO.co.ke, KEBS fraudulently identified two companies claiming to be authorized to issue certifications in Kenya.

KEBS clarified that it had neither endorsed nor affiliated with the two companies and described their actions as deliberate attempts to defraud the public.

The public has been advised to avoid engaging with fraudulent entities and seek certification services only through the official KEBS website or at its offices nationwide.

Source: TUKO.co.ke