In the world of Kenyan car imports, there are mistakes you can fix—like a bad battery or a scratched bumper—and then there are mistakes that are fatal.
Violating the KS 1515:2000 Standard, popularly known as the 8-Year Rule, is a fatal mistake. In 2026, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and KRA have made it clear: there is no “penalty fee” to bypass this. If your car is one day too old, it doesn’t enter Kenya. Period.
As we navigate 2026, here is everything you need to know about the 8-year rule to ensure your investment doesn’t end up in a scrapyard at the Port of Mombasa.
1. The 2026 Calculation: The “2019” Threshold
The math for 2026 is simple but unforgiving. To calculate the age of a vehicle, the government looks at the Year of First Registration.
- Current Year: 2026
- Allowable Age: 8 Years (inclusive of the current year)
- The Cut-off: January 1st, 2019
This means that any vehicle registered in 2018 or earlier is now a prohibited import. However if the car was manufactured in late 2018 but registered in early 2019, you are safe. However, if the logbook says “2018,” that car is officially “illegal” for the Kenyan market.
2. The “December Danger Zone”: A Million-Shilling Clock
This is the most common way Kenyans lose their money. The 8-year rule applies to the date the ship docks and manifests at the Port of Mombasa, not the date you paid for the car in Japan.
The Nightmare Scenario
Imagine it is October 2026. You find a 2019 Toyota Rav4 at a bargain price because it’s the “oldest” legal model. You buy it, and the ship leaves Japan in November.
But then, a storm happens, or there is a delay at the Port of Singapore. The ship arrives in Mombasa on January 2nd, 2027.
The Result: On January 1st, 2027, the window shifts. The oldest allowable year becomes 2020. Your 2019 Rav4 is now 9 years old. KRA will reject the entry, and you will be forced to either re-export the car (at your cost) or watch it be crushed.
Pro-Tip: Never buy a “cut-off year” car (a 2019 model) after September 2026. The risk of shipping delays is too high.
3. Manufacture vs. Registration: Don’t Get Confused
Many buyers (and some dishonest dealers) confuse the Year of Manufacture with the Year of First Registration.
In Japan, these dates are usually close. However, in the UK, a car could be manufactured in 2018 but sit in a showroom and only get registered in 2019.
- KRA looks at the Year of First Registration.
- Always demand to see the Export Certificate (Japan) or the V5C Logbook (UK) before you send a single dollar.
4. The Role of QISJ and EAA Inspections
Every car coming into Kenya must undergo a Pre-Shipment Inspection by agencies like QISJ (Quality Inspection Services Japan).
In 2026, these inspectors are your first line of defense. They will not issue a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) for a car that violates the age limit. If a dealer tells you “don’t worry about the inspection, we will handle it locally,” run away. Without that certificate, you cannot clear the car through the KRA iCMS system.
Do you want to import?
At Carskenya.co.ke, we will help import seamlessly. Click the link to the car you are eyeing in Japan, and our compliance team will verify its eligibility for free.
