How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car From China to Kenya?

Kenyan buyers often ask about the total cost of importing a vehicle from China. This guide provides a detailed cost breakdown using real examples, so you can budget accurately. Part of our import cars from China guide cluster. For detailed duty information, see our import taxes guide.

Cost Components Overview

The total cost includes: vehicle purchase price (FOB), shipping, marine insurance, import duty, excise duty, VAT, port charges, and customs clearance fees.

Example 1: Haval H6 (1.5L Turbo SUV)

Vehicle FOB Price: $14,000
Shipping (RoRo, Shanghai to Mombasa): $1,500
Marine Insurance (3%): $420
CIF Value: $15,920
Import Duty (25%): $3,980
Excise Duty (20% for 1.5L): $3,980
VAT (16% of CIF + Duty + Excise): $3,821
Port Charges & Clearance: $400–$600
Total Estimated Landed Cost: $28,121–$28,321

Example 2: BYD Atto 3 (Electric SUV)

Vehicle FOB Price: $20,000
Shipping (RoRo): $1,500
Marine Insurance (3%): $600
CIF Value: $22,100
Import Duty (25%): $5,525
Excise Duty (reduced for EVs): $2,210
VAT (16% of CIF + Duty + Excise): $4,774
Port Charges & Clearance: $400–$600
Total Estimated Landed Cost: $34,609–$34,809

Ways to Reduce Costs

Choose RoRo shipping over container shipping. Select vehicles with smaller engines to reduce excise duty. Electric vehicles benefit from reduced excise duty rates. Consider slightly older models (3–5 years) which have lower CIF values and thus lower absolute duties. Browse our inventory for the best value vehicles for Kenya.

Get a Personalized Quote

Contact DriveSino for a complete landed cost estimate for any vehicle in our inventory. We'll provide a detailed breakdown including shipping, insurance, and estimated duties for Kenya. View Kenya shipping details or browse our inventory below.