The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has introduced a new requirement that will see all used vehicles imported into the country undergo document validation before inspection.
In a statement published on Tuesday’s issue of My Gov, KEBS said the directive will take effect on July 14, 2025, and aims to stop the importation of vehicles using forged or fraudulent paperwork.
According to KEBS, all used vehicles must comply with the KS 1515:2000 standard, which sets out the code of practice for the inspection of road vehicles.
The standard requires that any used motor vehicle being brought into Kenya must not be more than eight years old from the Year of First Registration (YoR).
“To ensure that all vehicles imported into Kenya without a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) meet this requirement at destination, it is important for the importers, traders or sellers to validate import documents such as logbooks, export certificates and/ or deregistration certificates with a reliable and authorized database,” the Bureau said.
To ensure that this rule is strictly followed, KEBS has engaged Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) to carry out the validation of import documents for used vehicles that do not have a CoR.
The bureau emphasised that this process will help prevent the entry of vehicles using fake documents.
Only those used vehicles with validated import papers will be allowed to undergo the mandatory KEBS destination inspection.
KEBS confirmed that importers must submit their documents to QISJ for verification.
“This engagement will be implemented as listed below: Validation fees per vehicle – Sh12,000 (To be paid by importer to local QISJ offices). Service timeline – within four working days,” the statement reads.
QISJ has set up a local office to handle the process. It is located on the 3rd Floor of Flamingo Towers, Mara Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi. The contact person is Brian Kuria, who can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at +254 727 009004.
The Mombasa office is located at Hatimy Talyani Rd, Opp Bliss Medical Centre Kizingo with the contact person being Mustafa Feisal. Feisal can be reached at [email protected], or +254 727 009005
KEBS noted that the aim is to protect the rights of Kenyan consumers by ensuring that imported vehicles meet the required safety and quality standards.
“KEBS fulfils its role of safeguarding Kenyans’ rights to quality products by enforcing Kenya standards, which are periodically updated to stay current with technological progress and include developments that could impact product safety,” it said.
The organisation urged all importers of used cars to comply with the new directive to avoid delays or complications at the port of entry.
“Only used motor vehicles with validated import documents will be subjected to destination inspection by KEBS, effective July14, 2025,” the bureau reiterated.
