KEBS rolls out mandatory document validation for used car imports

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has introduced a new requirement for document validation for importers of used vehicles into Kenya, which is scheduled to take effect on July 14, 2025.

According to KEBS, this move aims to prevent the continued entry of vehicles into the country using fake or tampered documents.

All importers will now be required to have key vehicle documents validated before their vehicles are inspected, regardless of whether the car has already undergone inspection abroad or not.

The Bureau explained that the step is part of enforcing the KS 1515:2000 standard, which guides how used road vehicles are checked before they are allowed into the local market.

The standard makes it clear that any used vehicle entering the country must not exceed eight years from the date of its first registration.

“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.

The validation will be carried out by Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ), which has been contracted by KEBS to handle this process. All documents must be submitted to QISJ for checking before the vehicle is cleared for inspection. The service will cost importers Sh12,000 per vehicle, and the process will take a maximum of four working days to complete.

QISJ has already set up two local offices to serve vehicle importers. The Nairobi office is located on the 3rd Floor of Flamingo Towers, Mara Road, Upper Hill.

For importers in Mombasa, the QISJ office is on Hatimy Talyani Road, opposite Bliss Medical Centre Kizingo.

KEBS pointed out that this document verification step is crucial to eliminate loopholes that have allowed unroadworthy or substandard vehicles into Kenya. Once the documents are verified, vehicles can then proceed to the standard KEBS destination inspection.

“Only used motor vehicles with validated import documents will be subjected to destination inspection by KEBS, effective July 14, 2025,” the bureau reiterated.

The Bureau said this directive is part of its duty to ensure that Kenyans receive only safe, high-quality products.

It added that the standards it enforces are reviewed regularly to reflect new technological changes and keep up with developments that may affect product safety.

“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,” the statement read.

KEBS urged importers to comply with the new rule and complete the validation process early enough to avoid delays at the port of entry or potential complications during inspection.

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