The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on Sunday, December 27 gave a reprieve for car importers as the deadline for the age limit rule where Kenya only allows importation of used cars of a maximum of eight years since the first date of registration draws near.
In a statement, the regulator allowed importers to lodge import documents for vehicles delayed due to shortage of vessels as evidence for consideration for waiver of the 8-year old rule on second-hand vehicles.
"KEBS has received petitions that Covid-19 pandemic might have affected some importers due to disruption of shipping schedules.
"We, therefore, wish to inform such importers to lodge all the necessary supporting documents to prove the impact of Covid-19 on their shipment before a waiver can be considered," the organisation noted.
The regulator advised that such documentation should not be received not later than December 28, 2020.
"This only applies to vehicles that have been purchased, inspected and issued with a certificate of roadworthiness on or before December 1, 2020, and which are likely to arrive into the country after the cut-off date of December 31, 2020," KEBS added.
Importers were further advised to take necessary measures and comply with the requirement to avoid rejection of their 2013 motor vehicles.
KEBS had earlier issued a notice to car importers and dealers announcing the eight-year age limit for vehicles.
Only those whose first registration is from 1st January 2014 shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2021.
KEBS further stated that certificates of roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2013 will not be valid after 31st December 2020.
Following the announcement, the Car Importers Association of Kenya(CIAK) stated that over 30,000 second-hand cars could delay arriving into the country beyond December 31, occasioned by a vessel scarcity being experienced abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, Kenya's second-hand car market is experiencing the adverse effects of Kenya's free-falling shilling, with car prices going up by as much as Ksh500,000.
