Kenya Temporary Import - Vehicle (car,4x4, Motorbike) - No Carnet required? (TIP)

[My Overland Adventure]

To enter into Kenya with a motor vehicle, Carnet issuers and even the Kenyan Revenue Authorities website says that you must have a Carnet.

However, when we exited Kenya a few days ago, we asked the customs officers whether it was possible to arrange a temporary importation of the vehicle on a TIP.

He said it was possible to enter with a TIP, however you would have to pay a bond equivalent to the import duties and tax that would be due if you were actually importing the vehicle into Kenya.

*Note they strongly recommend using a Carnet….

We spent about half an hour with one of the officers going through examples of the calculations of the CIF value and the duties that would need to be paid.

Taxes & Duties

• Import Duty: 25% of the (CIF value of the vehicle)
• Excise Duty: 20% of the (CIF value + Import Duty)
• VAT: 16% of the (CIF value + Import Duty + Excise Duty)
• IDF: 2.25% of the (CIF value) or Ksh. 5,000, whichever is higher is payable.

Examples of the amount of duties that would need to be paid/deposited as a bond on a vehicle with a value of $5,000 Usd.


We have created a Kenyan duty calculator which incorporates the latest CRSP data (Oct 2015). Please feel free to download and use the excel template. (*for non-commercial use).

*Notes

• We do not know how much an agent would cost!!
• Customs are free to decide the value of your vehicle for customs purposes, they may accept your valuation if you vehicle is mot listed on the CRSP
• There may be problems for vehicles over 8 years old as these are banned for full import in to the country (check with customs in writing first)
• References CRSP – 2015, Kenyan Customs

Process
In order to temporarily import your vehicle, you will need to carry out the following, the process to enter can take from 1-7 working days:

• Appoint an Agent – Kenyan Clearing Agents (prior to entering Kenya)
• Pay the bond amount calculated
• Go to the border/customs with evidence of your bond payment
• Obtain a TIP (max 3 months)
• *It is recommended to obtain your Kenyan visa in advance, rather than on arrival.

Exiting Kenya

• Exit the country – cancel the TIP
• Send a copy of the cancelled TIP to the customs agent to arrange repayment of the bond (may take 1 – 30 days)

*Further notes

The information above was provided by a customs officer on the border
The information has not been verified as we are not aware of anyone who has entered Kenya without a Carnet
Depositing money with a foreign customs department, in a country with a high risk of corruption is not advised.
We would recommend before committing to travelling to Kenya without a Carnet, you verify the process with customs and an agent.

If you do enter Kenya without a Carnet on a TIP, could you please update this thread for others also looking to do the same.

 

[My Overland Adventure]

A quick update on this:

We have met people in Egypt, who with a SA vehicle were able to enter Kenya without a Carnet, or Paying a bond, they entered the country with the vehicle on a 7 day Transit TIP.

There was no cost for the Transit TIP.

I doubt many people would only want a week in Kenya but its an option if you are stuck!