How to import an electric car to Kenya: costs and documents

A car price that includes shipping to Mombasa still needs a clear explanation of what happens after arrival. Customs charges, port costs, registration and inland delivery can sit outside that figure. Before paying a deposit, agree which party will handle each stage and what the complete handover budget covers.

First confirm that the exact vehicle can be imported

KRA’s motor-vehicle import procedure identifies right-hand drive, an age limit based on first registration and roadworthiness inspection by a KEBS-appointed agent as core requirements. Confirm the current rules and any applicable exceptions for the exact vehicle before purchase.

KEBS lists KS 1515:2019 under road-vehicle inspection. Ask the appointed inspection provider to confirm the current age cut-off, EV inspection criteria and required certificate for the export country and expected arrival date. A model-year advert alone does not establish eligibility.

This matters near year end: a car acceptable for one arrival period may face a different cut-off later. Make the first-registration record available to the agent and inspection provider. Resolve missing or inconsistent dates before reserving freight.

Request a complete landed-cost quotation in KSh

Have each line marked included, excluded or provisional. A quote for an uncleared vehicle in Mombasa differs from a cleared vehicle ready for collection there, and from a registered car delivered in Nairobi. Compare the same scope before deciding which offer is cheaper.

Why one tax percentage is a poor import budget

KRA’s Finance Act 2026 guidance tells businesses to check tariff codes, applicable rates and effective dates. A battery-electric passenger car, a plug-in hybrid and a pickup need the correct classification; do not assume one rate or one multiplier applies to all of them.

Ask the licensed customs agent for the valuation basis and a line-by-line estimate for your vehicle. Confirm whether the estimate uses the invoice value or another customs valuation method, and which exchange rate applies. If an exemption is proposed, request the operative instrument and written eligibility confirmation.

Keep foreign-currency exposure visible even when the customer quote is in KSh. For illustration, a 5% movement on a KSh 3,000,000 foreign-currency cost changes that cost by KSh 150,000, before any effect on tax calculations. Agree quote validity, payment dates and who bears that movement.

Check the import documents before the vehicle sails

KRA’s vehicle-import document guidance lists an original commercial invoice, bill of lading, Import Declaration Form, authentic foreign logbook and certificate of roadworthiness. Obtain the current transaction checklist from the clearing agent, including importer identification and any translation or additional origin documents required.

Check that the VIN or chassis number, buyer and consignee names, vehicle description and registration dates agree across the records. Ask the agent to review scans early and establish when originals must arrive. A missing original or inconsistent identifier can delay release and increase costs.

Specify the EV checks as part of procurement

• Get photographs of the actual charging inlets and confirm AC and DC compatibility with the setup you will use in Kenya.

• For a used EV, obtain a dated diagnostic report, battery-case and underbody inspection, fault history and demonstrated charging tests.

• Confirm the supplied cable, keys, software language and any account or subscription restrictions.

• Get written warranty terms identifying the provider, covered components, exclusions and claim process for Kenya.

A roadworthiness certificate and a detailed commercial pre-purchase inspection serve different purposes. Confirm the regulatory inspection first, then decide what further evidence you need to accept the condition and support risk of the car.

Agree responsibility from deposit to handover

The order should identify the vehicle or selection criteria, inspection conditions, payment stages, shipping responsibility and handover point. State what happens if the car fails inspection, the selected unit becomes unavailable or costs change before shipment.

Have documents ready before arrival and arrange clearing promptly. Confirm who monitors vessel timing and release requirements, and who pays storage or other delay costs. Keep the customs entry, receipts, inspection records and handover documents with the vehicle file.

Send SafiVolt a useful import brief

Tell us your preferred model, new or used choice, KSh budget, daily driving and delivery destination. Request a written quote that identifies the exact scope and provisional amounts. We can compare car options against that brief; import eligibility, final charges and support terms must be confirmed for the selected transaction.