Shipping a Car to Kenya from the UK: Costs, Rules & Process

Kenya is a major market for used vehicles from the United Kingdom. Both countries drive on the left, making UK right-hand-drive vehicles directly compatible — a significant advantage over left-hand-drive markets.

Kenyan vehicle imports are popular for:
• Personal use: Expatriates and returning Kenyan residents
• Commercial imports: Dealers importing UK vehicles for resale
• 4x4 and SUV demand: Land Rovers, Toyota Land Cruisers, and other 4x4s for Kenya's varied terrain
• Commercial vehicles: Trucks and heavy machinery for construction and agriculture

Ship Cars RoRo operates regular RORO and container services from Southampton to Mombasa.

Kenya's vehicle import regulations are administered by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS):

Age restrictions: Vehicles must be no more than 8 years old from the date of first registration. This is strictly enforced — vehicles exceeding this limit will be denied entry.

Right-hand drive: Kenya drives on the left, so UK right-hand-drive vehicles are accepted without conversion.

KEBS inspection: All imported vehicles must undergo a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) inspection at the country of origin before shipping. This is carried out by authorised inspection companies.

Roadworthiness: Vehicles must be in roadworthy condition and meet Kenyan safety standards.

Documentation required:
• Original V5C or export certificate
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial invoice with declared value
• PVoC certificate from KEBS-approved inspector
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
• PIN certificate (Personal Identification Number from KRA)

RORO Shipping (most common for Kenya):
• Cost: £1,500–£2,800 from Southampton
• Transit time: 25–35 days
• Port: Mombasa

Container Shipping:
• Dedicated 20ft: £2,800–£4,500
• Shared container: £1,800–£3,200
• Transit time: 28–40 days

Kenyan import duties (approximate):
• Import duty: 25% of CIF value
• Excise duty: 20% (for vehicles over 1500cc)
• VAT: 16% of (CIF + duty + excise)
• IDF fee: 2.25% of CIF value
• Railway Development Levy: 2% of CIF value

Total duties can amount to 60–80% of the vehicle's CIF value. Use our cost calculator for an estimate.

The Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) is mandatory for all vehicles exported to Kenya. This inspection must be completed in the UK before shipping.

What PVoC covers:
• Vehicle identification (VIN, chassis number verification)
• Roadworthiness assessment
• Emission standards compliance
• Safety equipment check
• Age verification (must be within 8-year limit)

Approved inspection companies in the UK:
• SGS
• Bureau Veritas
• Intertek

Cost: Typically £150–£350 per vehicle Timeline: Allow 5–10 business days for inspection and certificate issuance

Ship Cars RoRo coordinates PVoC inspections on your behalf, arranging the inspection at a convenient location before shipping.

Important: Vehicles shipped without a valid PVoC certificate will be refused entry at Mombasa or subject to destination inspection at significantly higher cost.

- Verify the 8-year age limit: Count from the date of first registration, not manufacture date
• Complete PVoC before shipping: This is the most important step — don't skip it
• Budget for high duties: Kenyan import taxes are among the highest in East Africa
• Use a trusted Mombasa broker: Port clearing in Mombasa requires experienced local representation
• Right-hand drive advantage: UK vehicles are directly compatible — no conversion needed
• Insurance: All-risks marine insurance included as standard

Ship Cars RoRo has extensive experience with Kenyan imports. Contact us for expert guidance. Benchmark Mombasa rates on our UK car shipping costs page.

Before any international shipment, vehicles need to reach the loading port — and many customers ask us to handle the UK leg too. Our recovery and transport network covers every postcode, 24 hours a day.

Start with the main hubs: Car Recovery UK, Vehicle Recovery UK, 24/7 Breakdown Recovery and Nationwide Vehicle Transportation.

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Pre-book a port run on a flatbed transporter from Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Felixstowe via Ipswich, or call 24/7 for breakdown recovery in London, Birmingham or Manchester.