Government Bans Used Cars Older Than 7 Years

The Government has banned the importation of used vehicles older than seven years.

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has put out a new notice indicating that from 1st January 2018, importers will not be allowed to bring in such vehicles.

They have declared that from 31st December 2017, Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles whose first year of registration is 2010 will be invalid and they will be rejected at the port of entry.

The notice reads in part: “We wish to notify all importers of used second-hand motor vehicles including returning residents, diplomatic staff and the general public that only motor vehicles whose year of first registration is from 1st January 2011 and later shall be allowed into the country as from 1st January 2018.

[caption caption="KEBS Managing Director Charles Ongwae"][/caption]

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a KEBS representative stated that a lot of vehicles coming into the country had been inspected abroad many years before arriving in the country and, therefore, did not meet Kenyan standards.

The move will most seriously affect vehicle importing companies.

It marks the Government's latest move in a crackdown on questionable vehicle imports.

This is after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) raised the duty payable on some Mercedes and Mazda models by 50 percent just two months ago.

In determining car import duty, KRA uses the year of first registration to determine the depreciation of the vehicles.

[caption caption="A used car lot in Kenya"][/caption]