KEBS issues notice for left hand car imports

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has sealed a loophole that allowed vehicle importers to import left hand drive cars into the country.

In a notice in the dailies, the standards body says only right hand cars which meet the eight year old rule will be allowed into the country from January 2017.

Vehicles importers will also be required to comply with the code of practice for inspection with cars expected to be accompanied with a certificate of road worthiness.

“vehicles that are exported to Kenya shall be expected to comply with KS1515:2000 Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles while vehicles from countries where KEBS has an inspection agency shall be expected to be accompanied with a certificate of road worthiness,” KEBS said in its notice.

In 2014, President Uhuru Kenyatta had opened a window for Kenyans living abroad returning to the country to bring their left hand drive cars into the country duty free.

In the notice, KEBS says the rule will now apply to diplomatic staff and returning residents.

Cars manufactured before January 2010, will have to arrive at the port of Mombasa before December 31 or have their cars rejected.

“Any vehicle whose year of first registration is 2009 arriving after the date will be deemed non compliant and shall be rejected at the importers expense,” the standards body said.