Importing a car from Japan in 2026 is a well-trodden path with a lot of quiet traps. The process has six steps; most first-timers lose money at steps 2 and 5. Here's the walk-through.
Step 1 — Pick an auction grade you can live with
Japanese auctions grade cars from 1 (wreck) to 6 (new). Most Kenyan imports are grade 3.5, 4 or 4.5. If it's your first time, the rule is simple: grade 4 or higher. Grade 3.5 saves you about 8% on the auction price and costs you about 15% in reconditioning once it lands.
The auction sheet is in Japanese; get an agent who translates it properly and flags the interior and exterior point scores. 'A' for exterior and 'B' for interior is your floor.
- Takeaway: Grade 4 auction car is the sweet spot for first imports.
- Always get the auction sheet translated — interior scores hide abuse.
- Run the chassis number through JAAI before you commit.
Anyone promising five weeks from auction to plates is skipping a step you'll have to redo.
Step 2 — Lock down invoice, shipping and marine insurance
Your agent will quote FOB Yokohama. The landed price adds shipping (KSh 95,000–160,000 depending on route), marine insurance (1% of invoice, mandatory), and a small handling fee. Get the invoice in USD and get everything else itemised in KES — agents bury profit in unitemised 'handling' lines.
Step 3 — Bill of lading, then wait
The bill of lading (BL) is issued at loading. From BL date, expect the car at Mombasa in 28–32 days for a Yokohama–Mombasa direct sailing, 35–42 days if it transships via Singapore. You cannot speed this up. The car is on a ship.
Step 4 — CRSP, IDF, and KRA
Before the ship arrives your agent files the Import Declaration Form (IDF) and KRA assesses duty against the CRSP value for your exact make/model/year. See our CRSP explainer for what that number means in 2026. You pay duty before the car is released.
Step 5 — Port clearance (where the fees hide)
Mombasa port clearance is where inexperienced importers get bled. The real cost is roughly KSh 25,000–35,000 for a saloon, covering KPA, shipping line release, KRA exit and agent fees. If you're quoted KSh 55–70K, you are being overcharged. Shop three agents before you commit.
Storage after seven days in bond is expensive — KSh 2,400/day for a saloon. Line up duty payment before the ship arrives.
Step 6 — NTSA registration and plates
Final step is TIMS registration, NTSA inspection, and plate allocation. Fees total about KSh 7,500 for a standard saloon. Plates typically follow 10–14 days after logbook issuance. You can drive on Temporary Plates in the meantime with the dispatch paperwork.
Total elapsed time from auction win to Nairobi plates: 8–11 weeks is normal. Anyone promising 5 weeks is skipping a step — usually the NTSA inspection, which you will then need to redo.
