Import a Car from the USA to Kenya: Check Eligibility and Title History First

Before you import a car from the USA to Kenya, check that the exact vehicle can meet Kenyan requirements. A US auction car can look inexpensive and still be the wrong purchase. Verify its steering position and title status first, then confirm the documents and landed cost for the VIN. US domestic-market cars are usually left-hand drive; Kenya’s standard used-import rule requires right-hand drive.

KRA says standard used imports must be right-hand drive and less than eight years old from the year of first registration. The current KEBS contractor list does not name the USA, so ask in writing which inspection route and documents apply to this VIN before bidding or paying a deposit.

How do you check a US car before bidding?

• Get the complete VIN, clear interior photos, the original title and a photo of the VIN on the vehicle. Match every record.
• Check the title brand carefully: salvage, rebuilt, flood or non-repairable status can affect whether the vehicle can be registered, insured or exported.
• Review full-resolution auction photos and the condition report, including underbody, structural areas, airbags and water damage. An auction grade is not a mechanical inspection.
• Verify mileage and ownership history using a reputable VIN history source, then arrange an independent inspection where possible.
• Confirm the car is actually RHD. Do not bid on an LHD vehicle on the assumption a steering conversion will make it eligible.

Have a licensed clearing agent and the responsible inspection agent confirm the current age cutoff, RHD requirement, title acceptability and inspection path for the exact car. Start with the KRA motor-vehicle procedure and the KEBS inspection-country list. Because that list can change, get written confirmation rather than assuming a US vehicle follows the same route as a vehicle from a listed market.

Which documents and costs should you confirm?

Before payment, ask for the original title, seller invoice or bill of sale, ownership evidence, export paperwork, inspection documents and service or repair records. Confirm with your agent what must be available before shipment and what follows after dispatch, such as the bill of lading. KRA’s procedure lists the supporting records required for clearance; the exact inspection route may add steps.

Request a dated, itemized landed-cost estimate tied to the VIN, exact model and trim, engine, first-registration date, auction price, buyer fees, freight and marine insurance. Ask the agent to separate taxes and valuation assumptions, inspection, port, clearing and registration. Shipping and fees vary by route and vehicle, so a generic USA-to-Kenya figure is not a reliable quote.

Also ask the auction or exporter to list charges beyond the hammer price, such as buyer fees, inland transport, storage and export handling. Confirm when each charge is due and how long the vehicle can remain at the yard before storage fees begin. Keep those amounts separate from Kenyan duties and port charges when comparing the quote with a locally available car.

Do not rely on an auction bid confirmation as proof that the vehicle is ready to ship. Before booking freight, have the clearing agent and inspection agent confirm that the title, export records and inspection documents match and that the vehicle’s route is acceptable.

Compare the candidate with local options

Compare it with vehicles already listed in the SilverTorque inventory. If you are reviewing a specific US car, contact SilverTorque or WhatsApp the team with its VIN and available documents before committing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a US auction grade enough to judge condition?

No. Review the title brand, full-resolution damage photos, VIN history and an independent inspection. An auction label does not establish Kenyan eligibility or mechanical condition.

Can I import an LHD US car if I convert it?

Do not assume so. Confirm eligibility for that exact VIN with the responsible Kenyan authority or inspection agent before bidding; a conversion promise is not approval.

Should I calculate Kenyan taxes from the auction price?

No. Ask for a current vehicle-specific estimate that states the valuation and tax assumptions, then keep shipping, inspection, port, clearing and registration charges visible as separate line items.