KEBS Issues New Directive on Validation of Used Motor Vehicle Importation Documents
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced a new validation requirement for used motor vehicle importation documents, effective 14th July 2025, in an effort to uphold product safety and curb the importation of vehicles with fraudulent documentation.
The directive specifically targets vehicles subject to destination inspection and aims to ensure compliance with KS 1515:2000 – Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles.
This code requires that all used vehicles being imported into Kenya must not be older than eight years from the year of first registration (YoR). Vehicles failing to meet this requirement must be accompanied by a Certificate of Roadworthiness (CoR) upon inspection at destination.
Key Requirements
To support the enforcement of these standards, KEBS has partnered with Quality Inspection Services Inc. Japan (QISJ) to carry out document validation for imported vehicles. This process is particularly vital for confirming authenticity and preventing the use of forged or fraudulently acquired documents, such as:
- Logbooks
- Export certificates
- Deregistration certificates
All validations must be based on a reliable and authorized database.
Implementation Details
The validation process involves the following:
- Validation Fee: Ksh. 12,000 per vehicle (payable by the importer to local QISJ offices)
- Service Timeline: Within 4 working days
Importers, traders, or sellers presenting vehicles without a CoR must have their documents validated at destination before the vehicles can be cleared.
Designated Validation Offices
KEBS has provided two local offices where importers can submit documents for validation:
- Nairobi Office
- Location: Britam Tower, Upper Hill
- Contact Person: Brian Kuria
- Email: qisjke.nrb@qisjp.com
- Tel: +254 729 009000
- Mombasa Office
- Location: Hatimy Plaza, Opp. Bliss Medical Centre, Kizingo
- Contact Person: Mustaafa Fesial
- Email: qisjke.msa@qisjp.com
- Tel: +254 729 009005
Enforcement Date
All vehicles imported without validated documents will be subjected to destination inspection by KEBS starting 14th July 2025.
This move underscores KEBS’s ongoing commitment to protecting Kenyan consumers by ensuring the roadworthiness and legality of imported motor vehicles. It also aligns with the agency’s broader goal of enforcing up-to-date Kenya standards that reflect global technological trends and safety benchmarks.
