If you are planning to import a car from Japan, the UK, or elsewhere, one of your biggest concerns will be the cost. There is the actual cost of buying the vehicle, often referred to as CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight) in import lingo. Basically, this covers the value of the car to the port of Mombasa. This part is easy to understand, but it is the second part that most people find complicated and even confusing- import taxes.
How exactly do import agents arrive at the taxes payable? In this article, we will break down exactly how car import taxes in Kenya are calculated.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is the body tasked with determining how much taxes you pay for importing a car, and to whom these taxes are paid.
KRA uses what is called a Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP), a database that lists the showroom (brand-new) costs of various models of cars. The CRSP prices are what form a basis of taxing second-hand imports based on a depreciation model.
Please note- you will not pay taxes based on how much you paid for your car (purchase invoice) but rather, by the CRSP.
Before we explain how CRSP depreciation works, it is important to note that other factors will affect the total cost of a used car. These include:
- Make- e.g., Subaru, Toyota, Nissan
- Model- e.g., Forester, Prado, Juke
- Year and month of manufacture, e.g., Nov 2014
- Engine transmission- e.g., automatic, manual
- Engine capacity-e.g. 1600cc, 1800cc, 2000cc
- Fuel type- e.g., petrol, diesel
- Class – e.g., wagon, hatchback, sedan
CRSP Depreciation
For vehicles manufactured between 2017 and 2019, KRA depreciates the CRSP price of the respective car by 5% per year to arrive at the customs value.
For vehicles manufactured between 2020 and 2024, KRA depreciates the CRSP price of the respective car by 10% per year to arrive at the customs value.
For instance, if you import a 2017 Mazda CX5, the CRSP price will depreciate by 65%, the year 2018 will depreciate by 60%, 2019 by 55%, and so forth. This means that unlike other countries, in Kenya, the older a car is, the lower the taxes and the newer a vehicle is, the higher the taxes.
The customs value we mentioned will then be subjected to several charges as follows:
- Import duty- 35%
- Excise value- 25% + import duty
- Value added tax – 16% + import duty + excise duty
- IDF (Import declaration fee)-3.5%
- Railway Development Levy-2%
- Additional charges- Marine Levy & Radiation Check
Let us look at a practical example. Let us say you want to import a 2000cc, petrol engine, 2017 Mazda CX5. This is how your import duty will be calculated.
| Current Retail Selling Price | 4,495,000.00 | |
| Depreciation | 65% | |
| Extra Depreciation | 0% | |
| Customs value | 723,333 | |
| Import Duty 35% | 253,167 | |
| Excise Value | 976,500 | |
| Excise Duty 25% | 244,125 | |
| VAT Value | 1,220,625 | |
| VAT 16% | 195,300 | |
| RDL 2% | 14,467 | |
| IDF Fees 3.5% | 25,317 | |
| Grand Total | 752,375 | |
This means the total import duty you will pay for a 2000cc 2017 Mazda CX5 is 752,375KES.
***These figures are meant as a guideline and are not absolute. KRA may change the CRSP without notice.
Metallic Blue Mazda CX5
Other Importation Costs
Now that you have an idea of how KRA arrives at taxes, it is time to look at other costs that you will incur at the port of Mombasa. These include:
- Port charges– This is paid to the CFS (container freight station) where your car is being stored and varies based on the size of your vehicle
- Shipping– This is paid to the shipping line that shipped your car
- Registration fee– Paid to NTSA for registration & physical plates
- Import agency fee– This is the fee agreed upon with your import agent for handling the whole import process on your behalf.
- Clearance fees– Fees paid to the clearing & forwarding company that will clear your car from the port
- Transportation to your location (either by road or car carrier)- You can choose to drive your car/ have it driven from Mombasa or use a car carrier
- Insurance– This will be issued by your preferred insurance agent. We recommend that you get Comprehensive insurance
If you are looking to import a clean, low mileage vehicle from Japan hassle free, speak to us today!
Kindly, what is the approximate cost of importing a used Toyota succeed from Japan
Hi Titus, we will get back to you on email shortly
Hi. What’s the cost of importing Toyota Raum.
HI Jacky, thank you for contacting us. The Toyota Raum is no longer in production so we are unable to import this model. Is there any other model that you would like? Please give us a call on 0723676784, and we can discuss a few options with you
How much would a toyota fielder cost
Hi good evening. How much for Corolla fielder 2014/15 1500cc gasoline.
Hi Reuben. A member of our sales team will send you this information on email right away.
Any leads about used 2014/15 Toyota premio model.
Great! Thankyou for educating us on this. I will certainly get back to you on the same.
Thank you Caroline we look forward to hearing from you
What is the total cost (inclusive of clearance,storage,etc)of importing a Toyota hiace(7l),diesel, manual,white, year of manufacture,2016
Hi Raymond, thank you for your inquiry on importing a Hiace Van. We shall be sharing more information on email
hello , what are total costs of subaru forester 2016
Hello Ronald, we will send you a quotation on email. Thank you.
Hello, I’m I’m interested in a low mileage Lexus Lx 600. Kindly send me the details of what it’ll cost me. I’m in Nairobi. Thank you
Hello Duncan,Thank you for writing to us. We have sent you the relevant information on your email
How much will it cost to import a harrier 2015
Hello Francis, Thank you for inquiring with us. We have sent you more information on importing a 2015 harrier to your email
Kindly, whats the total cost (everything included) of a Toyota Wish 2015, 1800cc?
Hello Nicholas, we have sent you a quotation on your email
Hello… Would like to import Toyota Dyna 3000cc year of manufacture 2015 diesel manual transmission. How much will I be required to have for all the cost as tax?
Hello Samuel. Thank you for your inquiry. We will respond to you on email
What is the total cost of importing a car Mazda atenza or axela yom 2017 including tax and clearance. I’ll drive myself to Nairobi
What will be the total cost to import a 2015 prado TX, 2700 cc petrol, upto delivery to my door in Nakuru?
Hey David,
Import Tax for year 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2700cc will be approximately 950,000 KES. Total cost will depend on the spec and condition of the car we choose but it will be a range of from 4,600,000 ~ 5,600,000 KES.
Hi. Thanks for the useful article.
Kindly assist with my understanding of the calculations, to ensure I don’t bugger this up. I want to be sure that the example you provided is correct, as the KRA calculation website does not work properly.
With a CRSP of 4,495,000, how did you calculate a Customs Value of 605k? Is the depreciation of 10% per year applied on the reducing balance annually or on the original CRSP?
605k would be 86.5% depreciation based on a CRSP of 4.495m, assuming straight line depreciation based on the original CRSP.
If applying 70% depreciation (assuming again straight line based on 10% per year of the original CRSP), then Customs Value would be the remaining 30% of 4,495,000 = over 1.3m.
Based on this depreciated value at 10% of the full CRSP amount per year, all of the other costs basically more than double.
If you can 100% confirm that it is 10% of the reducing balance, then that definitely helps clarify, and we can discuss options.
Hi Alan, thank you for your question. I think it would be helpful if someone from our sales team called you with an explanation of how to arrive at the duty, particularly for the car you have in mind? Please give us a phone number or reach out on 0723676784. Please note, if you inquire on a car, we will give you all costs to your doorstep.
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Hi, I wanted to know how much it will be to import a 2017 Toyota passo. I have read your explanation about how KRA determines how much tax is paid, but unfortunately maths was not my cup of tea while in school….hehehehe.
Hi Kennedy, isn’t this true for most of us! Thank you for reaching out, a member of our sales team will reach out to you
How much will it cost me in total to have my car in Nairobi. We say 2015 Nissan Sylphy 1600CC from Singapore or 1800cc from Japan
Hello Egesa, a member of our sales team will reach out via email. Our apologies for the delay in getting back to you.
Am looking for a good Mira Daihatsu car. Can you help me to save some money by exporting it to Kenya ?
Want to know cost of importing Toyota hiace 9l engine diesel and automatic
How much will it cost me 8n duty to bring in a 2016 Toyota probox from japan
Hi John, allow us to respond to you on email
Can I still import a 2015 Mercedes A250? How much is duty and total charges as I have already paid for the car in Australia
Hi Kala,
it is now too late to import year 2015 car to Kenya. Vehicles destined for the Kenyan market must meet the following requirements:
(a)Must be less than 8 years old form the year of first registration.
(b)Will be subject to roadworthiness inspection by a KEBS appointed inspection agent in the country of export.
(b)Must be Right Hand drive
Let us know if you would want our help in sourcing and importing a car for you.
How much can import toyota probox
Hi Johnie, a member of our sales team will email you with more information of how much it would cost to import a Toyota Probox
How about importing A Toyota fielder using the tax exemption certificate!!
Hi Ashford, thank you for your inquiry. We would need to understand what type of exemption you have. Kindly allow a member of our sales team to get back to you, or call us on 0723676784.
Hello..kindly what’s the cost importing a 2017 Kia Ceed , Manual transmission, diesel.
Hi Moses, a member of our sales team will respond to you on email.
HI David, our sales team will get back to you shortly
Any leads about used 2014/15 Toyota premio model.
Hi,what is the total cost of importing a 2017 toyota Axio including import duty and local charges.
Hi, I would like to know the approximate cost of shipping a 2016 Mazda Demio petrol inclusive all import and duty charges. Kindly treat it as urgent.
Thanks.
What is the cost of importing a Toyota wish sunroof
hi, i would like to know the full cost from japan of a toyota hiace 2015 or 2016, the one valid to be imported this year
Hi Robert, we will get back to you via email
Hello how much to import mazda demio 1500cc petro to Nairobi.
How much is approximately for importing Toyota land cruiser Prado TX 2700cc from Japan to Kenya
What is the total cost of importing a 2016/12 Toyota Fielder, Hybrid, 1490CC.
Hi Steve,
One of our sales staff will get back to you shortly via email
Hi Croton Motors
Thanks for this breakdown.
Just noticed:
In the Mazda example, the calculation to arrive at the import duty seems wrong. Not clear how the custom value was arrived at, when following the numbers. Also I think there is an error in the excise duty value.
Please check
Hi Jaymo,
Thank you for taking time to read and leave us a comment.
We will definitely check to make sure that the calculations are correct.
What is approximate cost of importing 2015 /12 Toyota noah/ voxy
Hi Jimmy, one of our sales consultant will get back to you via email shortly
Afternoon!! What is the cost of importing 2016 Mazda CX-5 2200/2500CC petrol including taxes.
Hello. I woul like to import a maroon
honda vezel 2017 model. What is the final figure please.
Hello George, thank you for your inquiry, One of our sales consultants will reach out to you via email.
How much does it cost to import a 2016 land rover discovery landmark with a mileage of 60 to 80k
Cost of importing landcruiser prado TX 2020
what is the cost of importing 2000cc Nissan xtrail 2016 model
Hi Kennedy, thank you for your message. A Croton Sales representative will reach out to you on email.
What is the total cost (inclusive of clearance,storage,etc)of importing a Toyota succeed ,
Hi Sam, thank you for your inquiry. We have sent you the duty breakdown for importing a Toyota Succeed on your email
Hallo,what is approximate cost to importing a used Toyota fielder hybrid 2017/3 from japan?
Yes
What’s the approximate cost of importing a Mazda premacy 2017 make
Hi Lydiah,
Thank you for reaching out to Croton Motors. One of our sales consultants will get back to you shortly with the cost of importing a 2017 Mazda Premacy
What is the approximate total cost (incliusive of all charges) of importing a low mileage toyota premio from Japan?
Am interested in importing Toyota Hilux double cabin how much will it cost me
HI William, thank you for your inquiry. One of our sales consultants will get back to you shortly
Do you facilitate importation of cars using SBT Japan
Hi Wilson thank you for inquiring with us. We buy our vehicles directly from auctions in Japan and not from other dealers. Let us know if we can be of help if you are looking to import a car from Japan.
How much will it cost to import a toyota wish 2010, 1798cc, and have it in Kampala?
What is the total costs of Toyota fielder 2018
Hello Perpetuah, thank you for contacting us. One of our sales representative will get back to you shortly via email
Am interested in a hybrid Honda vezel. Kindly advice on the cost, please.
Hi Frida, thank you for your inquiry. One of our sales consultants will get back to you shortly via email.
Is it possible to import a car year of manufacture 2009 to Kenya? If it’s possible what the total cost of importing tiida worth 2518 dollars to Kenya plus the total import duties and taxes
Hi Joseph, thank you for inquiring with Croton Motors. Unfortunately you cannot import a car of year 2009 to Kenya now. Currently, you can only import a car of year 2016, and this car has to arrive in Kenya before December 2023. From next year, we will be importing cars of 2017. Let us know if you would like us to assist you with importing.