How to understand the Japanese Auction Sheet

An auction sheet is a document filled by a vehicle inspector as they inspect a car in a Japanese auction. The document describes in detail the condition of the car, its options, accessories and any defects. The auction sheet is therefore a very important document and greatly determines the cost of the vehicle.     Japanese auction inspection officers are very objective in their reporting on the car condition so as to uphold high trust and credibility for the dealers/auctions system. What is the grading system used at Japanese auction houses?

Documents required for clearing and registration of vehicle in Kenya

We will require below documents to clear and register your vehicle in Kenya: > Copy of Kenya revenue Authority (KRA) PIN certificate.   > Copy of national identity card for individuals or copy of incorporation certificate for companies.   > Original bill of lading. We will obtain this from our shipping company in Japan.   > Original Japanese export certificate and it's English translation. We will obtain this from our shipping company in Japan.   > Original Roadworthiness inspection (RWI) certificate. We will obtain this certificate from Quality Inspection Services Inc.  Japan (QISJ).  * Please note that for duty-free vehicles, we will require your original diplomatic passport / UNLP (not a copy).

Duty-Free vehicle import for Diplomats

The government of Kenya allows you to import a duty-free vehicle if you are a diplomat working in Kenya. You will need to liaise with the protocol /liaison officer in your organization who will carry out the necessary checks to confirm that you are eligible for import duty exemption. The protocol officer will also assist you in the process of getting the necessary approvals from the ministry of foreign affairs. You will need to select a vehicle that meets the requirements for import to Kenya as stipulated by the government. Click here to view general rules and regulations for import of vehicles to Kenya.   Which documents will we require from you for vehicle Clearance in Mombasa port? 1.      Scanned copy of PRO 1B form that has been approved by the ministry of foreign affairs  - This is the application form for authority to import duty-free vehicle by entitled foreign personnel in Kenya. Click here to view a blank PRO 1B form. The protocol / liaison officer in your organization will assist you in the application / submission of PRO 1B to the ministry of foreign affairs for approval. 2.     Copy of PIN Certificate from Kenya revenue authority (KRA). You can apply for the PIN certificate via KRA website. 3.     Your original diplomatic passport and diplomatic ID. We will only require this once the vehicle arrives in Mombasa and will return to you as soon as the vehicle has been cleared. Clearing process in Mombasa will take about 3 or 4 days. Which documents will you require from us for processing of the import duty exemption? Once vehicle has left Japan, we will furnish you with copies of below documents via email to facilitate your application for import duty exemption - 1.     Scanned copy of the bill of lading. 2.     Scanned copy of vehicle roadworthiness inspection certificate (QISJ Certificate). 3.     Vehicle sales invoice. 4.   Scanned copy of the export certificate. How many duty-free vehicles can you import? You can get a waiver for up to 2 vehicles i.e. one for yourself and another for your spouse. You will need to liaise with your protocol officer for further clarification on this. Why should you import with carimports.co.ke? Below are the some of the advantages of importing your duty-free vehicle via carimports.co.ke -  We handle import process end to end i.e. from sourcing of vehicle in Japan auctions, duty free clearance in Mombasa, transport of vehicle from Mombasa to Nairobi via car carrier and facilitation of registration process in Nairobi (I.e. acquiring of the red plates).   -   Low prices - We source our vehicles by participating directly in Japanese car auctions hence you are assured of low prices as compared to sourcing of the same vehicles via Japanese car dealers / websites. With this good pricing, you will be able to resell your vehicle after several years without making a loss (Many of our clients are actually able to resell their vehicles at a profit).   -  Genuine vehicle condition rating - We only recommend importation of vehicles rated as condition 4 upwards and will share the vehicle's auction sheet with you. An auction sheet is a document filled by a vehicle inspector as they inspect a car in a Japanese auction.   The document objectively describes in detail the condition of the car, its options, accessories, odometer reading and any defects.   -  Flexible payments - Payments are made in 4 instalments spread over the 45 days import period. You make the last payment after you have already received vehicle in Nairobi and confirmed that it is as ordered.   -  Mombasa storage facilities - Your vehicle will be received at Mitchell Cotts storage facility in Mombasa (MT2 CFS). This facility is inside the port and just about 300 metres from where the ships offload the vehicles.  The facility has a shed and 24 hours CCTV surveillance hence you vehicle is very safe. Most importantly, we have an arrangement with MT2 for 45 days of free storage just in case you will have travelled when vehicle is arriving in Mombasa.   -  Proven track record - We will give you contacts of other diplomats who work in your organisation, embassy etc and have imported vehicles through us in the recent past. Some of the organisations include IFC (World Bank), UNHCR, UNDRR , IFAD, ICRAF, UNEP, AGRA, Trade and Development bank, DFID, EU, World Health Organization (WHO), ICC, DANIDA, ICRC, African academy of sciences and many foreign Embassies e.g. Embassy of France, German Embassy etc.  =  If you have any question relating to duty-free vehicle importation or would like a quotation, kindly click here to send an email to sales@carimports.co.ke.

Rules and regulations for import of vehicles to Kenya

Vehicle Age- Age of vehicle should not exceed eight years i.e. from year of first Registration in Japan e.g. in year 2020, you can only import vehicles registered from year 2013 upwards. -The difference between the date of manufacture and the date of first registration should be not more than one year. Right Hand Drive Vehicles - Vehicle imported for use in Kenya should be right hand drive (RHD) because drivers should always drive on the left side of the road in Kenya. - Left hand drive vehicles can only be imported for special purposes e.g. ambulances, fire Tenders and large construction vehicles imported for projects and to be eventually donated to the Kenyan Government. Vehicle Roadworthiness Inspection - All pre-export vehicles destined for use in Kenya must undergo Roadworthiness Inspection (RWI). The inspection is conducted by JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre) as per mandate from the Kenya Bureau of Standards. Other companies mandated to carry out this inspection are Auto Terminal Japan Ltd (ATJ) and Quality Inspection Services Inc Japan (QISJ). - The inspection checks to ensure that the vehicles are not more than 8 years old, are right hand drive, have genuine mileage and that the vehicles pass a safety &mechanical inspection similar to the Japanese periodic inspection. - The inspection checks Radioactive contamination. To safeguard consumer safety it is imperative that all used vehicles imported from Japan and Dubai undergo an inspection to detect any radioactive contamination. Only vehicles whose level of contamination is within acceptable limits will be issued with a certificate of conformity.

Returning Residents (LHD vehicle countries)

Guidelines for importation of duty free vehicles by Kenya residents returning from countries that operate LHD vehicles Following His Excellency the President's directive that returning residents from the Diaspora who cannot enjoy duty free facility on their left hand vehicles be allowed to import into Kenya vehicles of similar category duty free, The National Treasury and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have developed guidelines to implement the directive. The guidelines here below will be administered by the Kenya Revenue Authority and all applications to utilize the facility should therefore be made to the Commissioner of Customs Services. Guidelines (revised) for importation of duty free vehicles by Kenyan residents returning from countries that operate left hand drive vehicles In accordance with Section 247(b) of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, the Commissioner of Customs Services shall allow residents returning from countries operating left hand drive motor vehicles, to import a duty free right hand drive replacement vehicle from any other source subject to the following conditions: 1. The person must be bona fide changing residence (permanently) from a place outside Kenya and not merely making a short visit back home. 2. The returning resident must prove ownership and use of the previously owned left hand drive vehicle in the country of former residence for a period of at least one year, prior to his/her return 3. The returning resident must provide proof of disposal (transfer of ownership) of the previously owned left hand drive vehicle before changing residence from the former country of residence. 4. The replacement vehicle must be of similar category with the previously owned left hand vehicle with regard to make, engine rating and year of manufacture. 5. Both the previously owned left hand vehicle and the right hand replacement vehicle must not be any of the following categories: a) Bus or minibus of a seating capacity of more than 13 passengers. b) Load carrying vehicle of load carrying capacity exceeding 2000 Kgs 6. The replacement vehicle must comply with the KEBS requirements of Legal Notice No. 78 of 15th July 2005 and KS1515:2000 Kenya Standard Code of Practice for inspection of Road Vehicles. In particular, the replacement vehicle: a) Must be less than 8 years old from the year of first registration. b) Will be subject to roadworthiness inspection by KEBS's appointed inspection agent in the country of export. These guidelines shall only apply to residents returning from countries that operate left hand drive vehicles, who had previously owned and used a left hand drive motor vehicle in the country of former residence.