KEBS to stop importation of specific used vehicles from January 2026
By Luke Oluoch, November 17, 2025The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has issued an important compliance notice on the importation of motor vehicles in Kenya.
In a notice on Monday, November 17, 2025, KEBS notified all importers of used or second-hand motor vehicles that only Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles whose year of first registration is from January 1, 2019, or later will be allowed into Kenya, effective January 1, 2026.
The statutory body tasked with maintaining quality standards has stated that the directive is in line with the eight-year vehicle age limit set out in the Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles (KS 1515:2000).
According to the regulator, the notice that could shape the country’s multibillion-shilling second-hand car market applies to all importers of used or second-hand motor vehicles, including returning residents, diplomatic staff, and the general public.
Year of first registration
“Pursuant to the provision of KS 1515:2000 – Kenya Standard Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, and Legal Notice No.78 of 28th April 2020 – The Verification of Conformity to Kenya Standards of Imports Order, we wish to notify all importers of used or second-hand motor vehicles and the general public that, in observance of clause 2.5 of KS 1515:2000 on the eight (8) year age limit requirement, only Right Hand Drive (RHD) motor vehicles whose year of first registration is from 1st January 2019 and later shall be allowed into the country effective 1st January 2026,” part of its statement read.
“Vehicles exported to Kenya shall be expected to comply with KS 1515:2000 Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, while vehicles from countries where KEBS has an inspection agency such as. Japan, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Thailand, Singapore, and South Africa) shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) issued by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ), which is an inspection company contracted by KEBS.
Certificate of roadworthiness
KEBS has also issued an update on the status of certificates of roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2018, clarifying that such certificates will not be valid after 31st December 2025.
While noting the gravity of the directive, KEBS has announced that any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier arriving after December 31, 2025, will be rejected at the importer’s expense.
“Further, the Certificates of Roadworthiness for vehicles whose year of first registration is 2018 will not be valid after 31st December 2025. All vehicles issued with such certificates must arrive at the Port of Destination / Entry by 31st December 2025. Any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier, arriving after 31st December 2025 will be deemed not compliant with KS 1515:2000 and shall be rejected at the importer’s expense.