Right-hand drive car importers in Kenyan will only be allowed the entry of shipment for cars whose registration is January 1, 2014.
This directive will come into effect starting January 2021.
Pursuant to the new order by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in conformity to the KS 1515:2000 – Kenya Code of Practice for Inspection of Road Vehicles, it also affects diplomatic staff and Kenyan residents returning from abroad.
KEBS in a notice on Sunday stated that all car importers and other affected persons who had lodged complaints of this directive must show proof that their business was impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“KEBS has received petitions that COVID-19 pandemic might have affected some importers due to disruption of shipping schedules. KEBS therefore wishes to inform such importers to lodge all the necessary supporting documents to prove the impact of COVID-19 to their shipment before a waiver can be considered. Such documentation should be received not later than 28th December 2020,” KEBS Managing Director Bernard Njiraini said.
The notice further read: “This only applies to vehicles that had been purchased, inspected and issued with a Certificate of Roadworthiness on or before 1st of December 2020 and which are likely to arrive into the country after the cut-off date of 31st December, 2020.
Cars imported from Japan, Thailand, UK, UAE, Singapore and South Africa will be required to provide a Certificate of Road Worthiness (CoR) stamped by agencies in those countries appointed by KEBS.
With the new directive, cars who year of first registration in 2013 will not be allowed after December 2013. Should these vehicles arrive at the Port of Destination/Entry beyond December 31, their Certificate of Roadworthiness will be deemed invalid, KEBS stated.
“Importers are therefore advised to take necessary measures and comply with the requirements to avoid rejection of their 2013 motor vehicles,” the notice reads.