Car Shipping UK to Kenya — Full Guide (2026)

Kenya is East Africa's largest UK vehicle export market with around 9,000 RHD cars annually arriving at Mombasa Port. RHD compatibility (Kenya drives on the left) makes UK supply ideal. This 2026 guide covers Mombasa clearance, the KEBS Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) that gatekeeps entry and the 8-year age limit that defines what's eligible.

Per saloon door-to-port from UK Midlands. RoRo to Mombasa: £1,495, transit 28–34 days via Suez Canal. Container shared 40ft: £1,895, transit 32–38 days. Sole 20ft container: £2,195. SUVs +£250, pickups +£300. Sailings via Felixstowe and Tilbury. Mombasa is East Africa's largest port and handles Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern DRC traffic. See Kenya destination page.

Kenya Bureau of Standards Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) certificate is mandatory for all used vehicles. Issued by approved UK inspection agents (Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas) before container/RoRo loading at £125–£200 per vehicle. Checks include roadworthiness, chassis matching, age verification, emissions. No PVoC = vehicle refused at Mombasa and returned at exporter's cost. KEBS publishes the PVoC scheme.

Maximum vehicle age 8 years on date of entry to Kenya. In 2026 this means 2018 model year or newer. Excise duty calculated by engine capacity: <1500cc 20%, 1500–3000cc 25%, >3000cc 35%. Plus 25% import duty, 16% VAT, 3.5% IDF, 2% RDL = compound effective rate often 60–80% of CIF. Calculate carefully — Kenya is high-tax. NTSA pre-registration recommended.

Documents: Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, V5C, passport, KRA PIN (importer tax ID), KEBS PVoC, IDF. Clearance 7–14 working days with KRA-licensed clearing agent. Total destination charges £1,250–£1,895. Mombasa has improved significantly with the Standard Gauge Railway connection to Nairobi for inland delivery. KRA runs ICMS for online clearance status tracking.

National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) handles registration. Required: cleared customs receipt, Kenyan insurance, vehicle inspection certificate, KRA PIN, ID/passport. Plates issued within 7 working days. RHD vehicles register without restriction. Annual inspection mandatory for vehicles over 4 years old. UK cars typically reach Nairobi from Mombasa via SGR train at £75 per car logistics cost. See customs guide.

UK to Kenya car shipping in 2026 starts at £1,495 RoRo to Mombasa with 28–34 day transit. KEBS PVoC certification and 8-year age limit are the binding rules; compound tax often reaches 60–80% of CIF. RHD compatibility makes UK supply natural fit for the Kenyan market. Plan for SGR transfer Mombasa to Nairobi.

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