KEBS to Charge New Fees for Kenyans Importing Used Vehicles Beginning Next Week

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced that importers will be required to validate documents of used vehicles imported into Kenya.

As revealed in a notice published on Tuesday, July 8, KEBS announced that it had appointed Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) to undertake the validation exercise at a fee of Ksh12,000 per vehicle.

The government agency explained that the validation exercise was necessary as it would help prevent instances where vehicles are acquired using fraudulent documentation.

As highlighted in the KEBS notice, the new directive will take effect from Monday, July 14.

"KEBS has engaged Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) to carry out validation of import documents for used motor vehicles subject to destination inspection for purposes of age limit verification.

"This engagement will be implemented as listed below: validation fees per vehicle at Ksh12,000 (to be paid by importer to local QISJ offices)," read the notice in part.

As explained by KEBS, the expected timeline for the validation is expected to be done within 4 working days.

"Among the standards enforced by KEBS is KS 1515:2000 - Code of practice for inspection of road vehicles, which requires that all used motor vehicles being imported into Kenya are not more than 8 (eight) years old from the Year of First Registration (YoR).

"Only used motor vehicles with validated import documents will be subjected to destination inspection by KEBS, effective 14th July 2025," KEBS added.

Therefore, those importers who do not have a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) were advised to submit copies of the logbook or de-registration certificate, or export certificate from the country of last registration, to any of the QISJ local offices.

The listed offices include 3rd Floor, Flamingo Towers, Mara Road in Upper Hill, Nairobi. The Mombasa offices are located at Hatimy Talyani Road (opposite Bliss Medical Centre).

Regarding the current inspection fees by KEBS, the charges usually range depending on the country of origin.

For instance, in the 2023 guide, the vehicles from Japan are charged at  USD 155 (Ksh19,995), Singapore - USD 220 (Ksh28,380), South Africa - USD 225 (Ksh29,025), Thailand - USD 250 (Ksh32,300), and the United Arab Emirates - USD 192 (Ksh24,806).