Kenya Car Import Duty & Tax Calculator (2025)
Vehicle Details
Estimated KRA Taxes
Detailed Tax Breakdown
| Value for Tax Calculation | KSh 0.00 |
| Import Duty (25%) | KSh 0.00 |
| Excise Duty | KSh 0.00 |
| VAT (16%) | KSh 0.00 |
| IDF Fee (3.5%) | KSh 0.00 |
| RDL Levy (2.0%) | KSh 0.00 |
| Total Taxes | KSh 0.00 |
Total Landed Cost Estimator
KRA taxes are only part of the cost. Enter other common fees below to estimate the true total cost to get your car on the road.
(CIF + KRA Taxes + Other Fees)
Import Duty FAQ
What is the "CIF Value" of a car?
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. It is the total value of the vehicle including the purchase price, the cost of international shipping, and the cost of insurance to transport it to the Port of Mombasa.
What is the 8-year rule for importing cars in Kenya?
Kenya prohibits the importation of vehicles that are more than 8 years old from their year of first registration. The age is calculated as (Current Year - Year of First Registration). For example, in 2025, you can only import vehicles manufactured in 2018 or later.
How does KRA determine the value of an imported car (CRSP)?
KRA maintains a database of Current Retail Selling Prices (CRSP) for various vehicle models. For tax calculation, they will use the higher value between your declared CIF and their listed CRSP. This is to prevent undervaluation. Our calculator allows you to input the CRSP for a more accurate tax estimate.
How is Excise Duty calculated for different engine sizes?
Excise Duty is a significant tax component that varies with the engine size (CC) and fuel type. For petrol cars, the rate is 25% for engines up to 2500cc and 35% for engines above 2500cc. For diesel cars, it's 25% up to 3000cc and 35% above 3000cc. This tax is applied on the sum of the (CIF/CRSP Value + Import Duty).
What is the difference between IDF and RDL?
The Import Declaration Fee (IDF) is a fee charged at 3.5% of the CIF value for processing the import documentation. The Railway Development Levy (RDL) is a tax charged at 2.0% of the CIF value to fund the development of the standard gauge railway.
Can I import a left-hand-drive vehicle into Kenya?
No, the importation of left-hand-drive vehicles is prohibited in Kenya, except for special purpose vehicles like ambulances or fire engines, which require special authorization.
Are there any tax exemptions when importing a car?
Tax exemptions are very limited. They are typically granted to returning residents who meet strict criteria, diplomats, and for some specially approved projects. For the average importer, all taxes are fully applicable.
What other costs are involved besides KRA taxes?
Beyond the KRA taxes calculated here, you should budget for other costs, including: Port charges (storage, handling), Clearing Agent fees, the cost of getting a Certificate of Conformity (CoC), and local transportation from the port.
What key documents are required to clear an imported vehicle?
Key documents include the original Bill of Lading, the vehicle's original Logbook from the country of origin, the Certificate of Conformity (CoC), your KRA PIN, and the Import Declaration Form (IDF).
How long does the vehicle clearing process typically take?
Once the vehicle arrives at the port, the clearing process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 working days, assuming all your documentation is in order and there are no delays with KRA verification or customs processing.