Car Import Duty Calculator Kenya

CRSP stands for Current Retail Selling Price — it is the reference value KRA uses to determine the dutiable value of imported vehicles. KRA updates the schedule periodically. The default data here is from the 2019 schedule. You can add more CRSP versions via "Configure CRSP" above.

KRA uses a depreciation schedule with strict lower bounds — "more than X years". A car at exactly 4 years and 11 months is still in the >4yr band (50% dep), but one month later (just past 5 years) enters the >5yr band (55% dep), meaning lower customs value and lower taxes. The calculator shows a "Good Month Tip" when you're 1–2 months away from a cheaper band.

Because KRA calculates age using the exact month of first registration, timing your import around year boundaries can change your tax band. Higher depreciation = lower customs value = lower taxes.

Kenya only allows direct import of private motor vehicles that are less than 8 years old from the date of first registration. Once a vehicle reaches 8 years, it cannot legally be cleared for private use via direct import. Previously registered vehicles (already registered in Kenya) have no age limit — use the "Previously Registered in Kenya" mode above.

KRA implements the Depreciation Schedule effective 1 September 2023, using the date of first registration. Age bands use strict > lower bounds.

Vehicles already registered in Kenya use a separate schedule based on whole years from first registration. There is no age limit, and IDF and RDL are not charged.

Grand Total = Import Duty + Excise Duty + VAT only. No IDF or RDL applies.

Beyond KRA taxes: shipping/freight (USD 600–1,500), port charges, clearing agent fees (KES 15,000–30,000), NTSA inspection & registration (KES 5,000+), KEBS pre-export verification (~USD 150), and insurance.

1. CRSP — official retail price from KRA schedule (full Kenya retail price including all taxes and dealer markup)
2. Depreciation — KRA schedule applied to derive customs value
3. Customs Value — reverse-engineered from CRSP:
   Customs = CRSP × (1 − dep) ÷ 1.25 ÷ (1 + Import Duty rate) ÷ Embedded Excise ÷ 1.16
4. Import Duty = Customs Value × 35% (petrol/diesel/hybrid) or 25% (electric only)
5. Excise Duty = (Customs Value + Import Duty) × rate by engine CC (10–35%)
6. VAT = (Customs Value + Import Duty + Excise) × 16%
7. IDF = Customs Value × 2.5% (direct import only)
8. RDL = Customs Value × 2% (direct import only)

Excise duty depends on both fuel type and engine capacity. Petrol vehicles pay 20% (≤1,500cc), 25% (1,501–3,000cc) or 35% (>3,000cc). Diesel vehicles pay 25% (≤2,500cc) or 35% (>2,500cc). Hybrid vehicles pay a flat 25%. Electric-only vehicles pay 10%. Excise applies to the combined (Customs Value + Import Duty) base.

Engine CC is pre-filled when a model is selected from CRSP data.

The calculator defaults to 2019 CRSP + 2026 Rulings, which reflects what KRA is currently applying at the port. Here is what each version means:

• 2019 CRSP — the official baseline schedule in active use. Best choice for most vehicles.
• 2020 CRSP (effective 7 July 2020) — an updated schedule with revised values for many models. Toggle it on to compare.
• 2025 CRSP — gazetted in July 2025 but currently suspended by court order following a challenge by vehicle importers. Do not rely on it for current clearances.
• 2026 Rulings — select vehicles where KRA has issued specific updated customs values in 2026. Used alongside the 2019 baseline.

Open Configure CRSP at the top of the calculator to toggle any combination. When multiple versions are active, each model in the dropdown shows a faint version label so you can see which schedule it comes from.

In July 2025, KRA gazetted a new Current Retail Selling Price schedule with significantly higher vehicle valuations — in some cases more than double the 2019 figures. A coalition of vehicle dealers and importers immediately challenged the schedule in the High Court, arguing the values were unjustifiably inflated and the process lacked adequate public participation.

The court issued a conservatory order suspending implementation of the 2025 CRSP pending the full hearing. KRA has since continued processing vehicle clearances using the 2019 values for most vehicles. The 2025 data is available in this calculator for comparison only — do not use it to plan a current import until the court matter is concluded.

The total cost of importing a car from Japan has three main components:

1. Purchase price — from a Japanese auction or dealer (e.g. USD 3,000–8,000 for a used Toyota)
2. Shipping (C&F) — cost of freight to Mombasa port, typically USD 700–1,500 depending on vessel type and origin port
3. KRA taxes — Import Duty + Excise + VAT + IDF + RDL, calculated on the CRSP customs value (not your purchase price)

Example: A 2021 Toyota Vitz (1,000cc petrol) imported in 2026 at around 4–5 years old typically attracts KRA taxes of KES 400,000–600,000. Add C&F (≈KES 200,000) and clearing agent fees (KES 20,000–35,000) for a total landed cost of roughly KES 700,000–900,000 on top of the purchase price.

Use the calculator above to get an estimate for your specific model. Taxes are based on KRA's CRSP reference value — not the price you paid.

IDF (Import Declaration Form fee) is charged at 2.5% of customs value and is collected by KRA at the time of clearance. It covers the cost of processing the import declaration.

RDL (Railway Development Levy) is charged at 2% of customs value and is collected by KRA on behalf of the Kenya Railways Corporation to fund railway infrastructure development.

Both IDF and RDL apply to direct imports only. Vehicles that are already registered in Kenya (using the "Previously Registered" mode) are exempt from both charges, which can save 4–5% on the customs value — a meaningful saving on high-value vehicles.

There are several legitimate ways to lower the tax burden:

• Choose a smaller engine. A 1,000–1,500cc petrol car attracts 20% excise duty. Move to 1,501–3,000cc and it jumps to 25%. Above 3,000cc it is 35%.
• Time your import wisely. Every year of depreciation reduces the customs value. Use the "Good Month Tip" in the calculator — waiting 1–2 months to cross a depreciation band can save tens of thousands of shillings.
• Import at 5 years or older. The 55% depreciation band (over 5 years) is often the sweet spot before the 8-year direct import cutoff.
• Consider a previously registered vehicle. Cars already registered in Kenya skip IDF and RDL entirely, saving 4.5% on customs value with no age limit.
• Consider a hybrid or electric. Hybrid vehicles pay 25% excise regardless of CC, which can be cheaper than a large-engined diesel. Pure electric vehicles pay only 10% excise.

Yes — and electric and hybrid vehicles have preferential duty treatment compared to conventional petrol or diesel cars.

• Electric only — 25% Import Duty, 10% Excise Duty, 16% VAT, 2.5% IDF, 2% RDL. The low excise rate makes EVs notably cheaper to import on a tax-per-KES-of-value basis.
• Hybrid (petrol or diesel, plug-in or standard) — 35% Import Duty, 25% Excise Duty (flat, regardless of engine size), 16% VAT, 2.5% IDF, 2% RDL.

Popular imports include the Toyota Prius (hybrid), Toyota Aqua/Prius C (hybrid), and an increasing number of Chinese EVs such as BYD and Xpeng models. Select "Hybrid" or "Electric only" in the Fuel Type field above to calculate the correct excise rate.

For a standard direct import from Japan or UK, you will typically need:

• Bill of Lading — proof of shipment issued by the shipping line
• Commercial Invoice — showing the purchase price and vehicle details
• Foreign Vehicle Registration Certificate (log book from origin country)
• KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) — mandatory inspection in the export country; cost is approximately USD 150–200
• IDF (Import Declaration Form) — filed online via KRA's iCMS system before the vessel arrives
• Packing List
• Insurance Certificate covering the voyage

A licensed clearing agent will handle the KRA declarations, port documentation, and NTSA registration on your behalf. Budget KES 20,000–35,000 for clearing agent fees, plus NTSA inspection and registration charges of KES 5,000–15,000.

KRA uses the CRSP (Current Retail Selling Price) — not the price you paid at auction or to the dealer. The CRSP is KRA's own reference value for the vehicle in the Kenyan market, based on what the car would retail for new in Kenya including all taxes and dealer margin.

This means even if you bought a Toyota Prado cheaply at auction, KRA will calculate your duties based on their CRSP figure for that exact model. Depreciation is then applied to the CRSP to derive the customs value, which is the base on which all duties are charged.

If your vehicle is not on the CRSP schedule, KRA will use a comparable model or request a valuation — this is where a good clearing agent matters.