Every vehicle that is imported into Kenya must be inspected to meet the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) guidelines. These guidelines have been set to ensure that Kenyans get proper working vehicles that meet roadworthiness standards.
KEBS is the constitutionally mandated body that sets standards for all products entering Kenya and they play a big role when it comes to vehicle importation. Since KEBS has no offices abroad, it has enlisted the service of Quality Inspection Services Japan (QISJ), to inspect all cars destined to Kenya and issue certificates of conformity once the vehicle has passed the inspection.
The certificate will then be attached to the vehicle documents for clearance upon landing in Kenya.
QISJ is an international vehicle inspection and verification company with offices globally. They are often contracted by governments to ensure cars are inspected before export.
These are the key parameters that KEBS has set for a vehicle entering Kenya to pass inspection:
- The vehicle should not exceed 8 years from the date of registration in the country of origin
- Must be right-hand drive
- Japan export vehicles must be inspected for radiation contamination
- Specialised vehicles like mining trucks, excavators, combined harvesters, tractors, fire trucks are exempt from this once roadworthiness is verified
- Vehicle must not emit visible smoke to prevent environmental pollution
- Vehicle must not exhibit any forms of structural defects on the Chassis and critical linkages
KEBS periodically reviews the contracted quality assurance company and either re-appoints or engages other companies to provide the service. Four months ago, it issued a notice to all vehicle importers, appointing QSIJ as the official vehicle standards verification partner.
QSIJ will inspect used motor vehicles, mobile equipment and used spare parts thereof in Japan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), Thailand and South Africa (SA) for a period of 36 months.
This was effected on15th April 2018, in line with Legal Notice No. 78 of 15th July 2005 on the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) to standards programme.
Mobile Equipment refers to used trailers, bulldozers, agricultural tractors, excavators, graders, moveable cranes and off-road vehicles. Please note that KEBS will inspect at the destination (i.e. at the Port of Entry) used motor vehicles, mobile equipment and used spare parts thereof imported from countries where QISJ is not contracted to provide inspection services.
Timam Cars will always ensure that vehicles sourced for clients exceed all regulatory quality inspection guidelines and offer high-grade vehicles for import at all times. As vehicles become cleaner and greener, it is Timam Cars mission that Kenyans get real value for money when it comes to car importation. View cars available for import.