Dealers and importers of second-hand vehicles are racing against time to beat the eight-year age limit, with a record number of car carrier vessels expected to dock at the Port of Mombasa in the coming days.
Kenya Ports Authority vessel schedules show that eight car carriers are set to arrive within the next 10 days, bringing in more than 4,700 vehicles in under two weeks. This volume is equivalent to the country’s average monthly imports.
According to KPA, the first two vessels are expected to berth on Saturday, followed by two more on Christmas Day, with additional ships scheduled to dock through to December 29. There is also the possibility of further arrivals on December 30 and 31.
“The port of Mombasa will, in the next 14 days, handle a total of 53 vessels, with 29 accounting for container ships. At the same time, the port will receive 15 conventional cargo vessels, eight car carriers and one oil tanker,” KPA management said.
Traditionally, Kenya imports between 4,000 and 7,000 used vehicles every month, with volumes rising to about 9,000 units during peak periods.
The sharp increase in arrivals is being driven by the looming expiry of Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles first registered in 2018, as the country strictly enforces the eight year age limit on used motor vehicles.
Under the regulations, Certificates of Roadworthiness issued for 2018 units will no longer be valid after December 31, 2025.
“All vehicles issued with such certificates must arrive at the port of destination or entry by December 31. Any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier, arriving after 31 December 2025, will be deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected at the importer’s expense,” Kebs managing director Esther Ngari said in a recent public notice.
From January 1, 2026, only vehicles whose year of first registration is January 1, 2019 and later will be allowed into the country, as they fall within the prescribed age limit. The eight year rule applies across the board, including to returning residents and diplomatic staff, and only right-hand drive motor vehicles are permitted for importation into Kenya.
All used vehicle imports must be accompanied by a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by an inspection agency contracted by Kebs.
Japan remains the dominant source of used vehicles, accounting for about 80 per cent of imports, followed by the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore and South Africa.
The inspection certificates are issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan, which is Kebs’ appointed inspection firm.
Over the years, importers have largely managed to stay ahead of the deadline, even amid global shipping disruptions.
Delays
Last year, delays caused by attacks in the Red Sea forced shipping lines to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, extending transit times from an average of 24 days to as long as 40 days or more. Despite the longer routes, most importers still succeeded in landing their vehicles before the cutoff date.
The last major losses linked to the age limit rule were recorded in 2014, when more than 2,000 used vehicles registered in 2006 were denied entry into the country.
Since then, no major lockouts have been reported, apart from 2020 when the Covid 19 pandemic disrupted global shipping. Even then, vehicles that had already arrived in Kenyan waters were allowed into the country.
Used vehicles continue to dominate Kenya’s motor vehicle market. According to the Economic Survey 2025, the country imported 72,482 vehicles last year, up from 70,275 units in 2023.
Buyers in the second-hand segment are estimated to spend about Sh60 billion annually, with prices ranging from as low as Sh700,000 for entry-level units to an average of Ksh 2.5 million, which is also the typical starting price for new vehicles.
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