Importing a used car or Chinese EV into Kenya is a five-step process that any first-time buyer can complete with the right paperwork and a reliable China-side exporter. This guide walks you through everything from picking the right vessel to clearing your unit through Mombasa customs.
Step 1 — Pick the right vehicle from China stock
The China used-car export market is dominated by premium German sedans (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi), Japanese reliability staples (Toyota, Nissan, Lexus), and an increasingly competitive Chinese new-energy segment (BYD, Zeekr, NIO, XPeng, Li Auto). For Kenya buyers we recommend checking our daily-updated used inventory and new arrivals, both filterable by brand, body type and fuel.
Step 2 — Quote and reserve with 30% deposit
Once you have shortlisted 1-3 vehicles, we send a fully itemized FOB Shanghai price plus a CIF quote to Mombasa within 24 hours. A 30% deposit by T/T (USD telegraphic transfer) or USDT (TRC-20) holds the vehicle in our Shanghai yard for up to 7 days while you finalize.
Step 3 — Pre-shipment inspection
Before any final balance, we send you a complete inspection package: 50+ exterior photos, full interior walk-through, engine-bay video, fresh OBD-II diagnostic scan, and (for electric vehicles) a battery State-of-Health screenshot. All sent to your WhatsApp or email within 48 hours of your inspection request. If anything is unacceptable, we either resolve it or you can substitute another unit before the balance becomes due.
Step 4 — Shipping from China to Mombasa
Transit time to Mombasa is approximately 20-25 days via either RoRo (Roll-on / Roll-off, USD 950-2,400) or container shipping (USD 2,100-3,900 per car or 2,800-4,700 split for 2 cars in a 40HQ container). Marine insurance at 110% of CIF value is automatically included. We pre-book the vessel before your deposit so the schedule is firm.
Step 5 — Customs clearance at Mombasa
Documents we provide for Kenya customs clearance: commercial invoice, packing list, ocean bill of lading (B/L), certificate of origin from CCPIT, China export licence per vehicle, KEBS Certificate of Conformity, and the pre-shipment inspection report. Expected duty & tax at Kenya customs: 25% import duty + 16% VAT + 20% excise (cars 1500cc+). Note that for Chinese new-energy vehicles many destination countries offer reduced or zero import duty — check current local incentives.
Kenya specific considerations
Kenya import regulations require PVoC KEBS verification on most vehicles. Our team can complete or assist with the KEBS Certificate of Conformity on your behalf where the document is filed China-side. Our Swahili/English-speaking sales team handles the entire end-to-end process; reach us on WhatsApp (+86 158 5515 8769) for a quote.
Frequently asked questions for Kenya buyers
- What is the maximum age allowed? Kenya import rules generally allow used vehicles up to the age cap noted in the latest customs schedule — confirm with us before purchase as rules change annually.
- Can I import a Chinese-only-spec EV? Yes, but software localization and charging-port compatibility must be verified up-front. We perform this check for every EV before shipment.
- Do you support container consolidation? Yes, two cars share one 40HQ container for the best per-vehicle freight rate.
Ready to import?
Shortlist your target vehicle from our used inventory or new arrivals, and we’ll send you a port-specific CIF quote within 24 hours. WhatsApp +86 158 5515 8769 for the fastest response, or read our full shipping guide and the 100 most-asked questions on China car export.