Toyota Allion
Importing a Car from Japan to Kenya & Tanzania: The Complete 2026 Guide
March 27, 20269 min read
Why Kenya & Tanzania Import From Japan
Japan remains the world's top source of quality used vehicles for East Africa. Kenya imports over 100,000 used vehicles annually. Both markets favor Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, and Suzuki.
Most Popular Models
- Toyota Land Cruiser/Prado: Premium 4WD for rough roads
- Toyota Hilux: Most popular pickup
- Toyota Wish/Noah/Voxy: Family vans, excellent value
- Toyota Fielder/Allion/Premio: Saloons for taxis and personal use
- Subaru Forester/Outback: 4WD at lower cost than Land Cruiser
Age Restrictions
- Kenya: Maximum 8 years old at first registration
- Tanzania: Maximum 10 years old
Reading the Auction Sheet
Every Japanese auction vehicle comes with a detailed inspection report. Key things to check:
- Overall Grade: Look for 4 or above
- 修復歴: Must say なし (none) — あり means accident history
- Mileage asterisk (*): Suspected odometer tampering — avoid
- 水没: Flood damage — walk away immediately
Can't read Japanese? Use our free AI Auction Sheet Decoder.
Shipping Costs
- Japan to Mombasa: $600–$900 per unit (RoRo)
- Japan to Dar es Salaam: $650–$950 per unit (RoRo)
- Transit time: 25–35 days
Kenya Import Duties (on CIF value)
- Import Duty: 25%
- Excise Duty: 20% (1500cc–3000cc)
- VAT: 16%
- IDF: 3.5%
- Railway Development Levy: 2%
Tanzania Import Duties
- Import Duty: 25%
- VAT: 18% of (CIF + Import Duty)
- Port handling: ~$200–$400
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not decoding the auction sheet before bidding
- Ignoring vehicle age restrictions
- Underestimating taxes (can be 60–80% of CIF value)
- Skipping KEBS PVoC verification (Kenya)
How Kizuna Mobility Helps
We handle auction bidding, documentation, shipping, and export certification. Contact us for a quote →