Vehicle Importation During Relocation To Kenya

Returning to Kenya is a major milestone, and bringing your dream car home should be the easiest part of your journey. At Shockwave Teknologies, we specialize in helping Kenyan citizens navigate the duty-free vehicle importation process with ease and transparency.

Why Import Duty-Free?

The Kenyan government offers a significant tax waiver for returning residents, which can save you millions in Import Duty (35%), Excise Duty, and VAT. Whether you are coming from a right-hand drive (RHD) country or a left-hand drive (LHD) one like the USA or Germany, you can still enjoy these benefits.

Are You Eligible?

To qualify for the duty-free exemption in 2026, you must meet these key KRA requirements:

1. Residency: You must have resided outside Kenya for at least two continuous years.
2. Ownership: You must have owned and used the vehicle for at least 12 months before your return.
3. The 90-Day Rule: Your car must be shipped and arrive in Kenya within 90 days of your arrival.
4. Vehicle Age: The vehicle must be less than 8 years old from the year of manufacture (for 2026, this means 2019 or newer).
5. LHD Replacement: If you lived in an LHD country, you can sell your car there and import a replacement RHD unit (e.g., from Japan or the UK) duty-free, provided its value doesn’t exceed your previous car.

Essential Documentation

To ensure a smooth clearance at the port, you will need:

• Original Passport (and old ones if issued within the last 2 years).
• Work Permit or Residence Visa from your previous country.
• KRA PIN Certificate.
• Original Bill of Lading and Vehicle Logbook.
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate from KEBS-approved agents.

How Shockwave Facilitates Your Move

Navigating customs paperwork can be overwhelming. We act as your licensed clearing agent to:

1. Source & Verify: We help find high-quality RHD vehicles that meet all KEBS and KRA standards.
2. Handle Logistics: From the point of purchase to the Mombasa port, we manage the shipping and inspection.
3. Customs Clearance: We process your tax exemption through the iCMS system, ensuring you don’t pay a cent more than necessary.
4. Door-to-Door Delivery: Once cleared, we can deliver the car right to your doorstep in Kenya.

Ready to drive your dream car on Kenyan roads? Contact Shockwave teknologies today to start your duty-free importation journey!