Hi Wazuerians?

I have heard a number of people talk of importing used cars from Japan at slightly lower costs than the local markets can offer. Does any of us here have experience or understand the risks involved in the whole process? do the price differences matchup to the risks? kindly share

You will save anying from 50K to more that 100K coz thats what the dealers here will load as profit, if you need to be sure whic japanese dealers you are dealing with or you may be conned!You also need to know the importation/KRA cost before hand to avoid paying too much.I currently have a premio and a probox bieng cleared at the ports rite now.

Hi Mbalatya,Wazuans,

IBC japan are quite aggressive it can be scary.they are as prompt in replying emails for potential offers made online.I know people who have imported cars from IBC though.
it saves you 100k-150k to import from japan. sometimes even upto 200k. depending on car. always do a background search on a new company- get info from japan embassy etc.
companies i can vouch for coz have used them before www.kobemotors.com, deal with a guy called Fahmi. phone no on website. Autoassista.com- they only ask for 10 percent off CIF cost till car gets to mombasa then you pay the balance.

john P, no offence, bt being a virgin doesnt mean u gonna lose anything.
I was a virgin last year(!) b4 inporting and i ddnt lose any. Mbalatya, if u use one of the reputable japanese companies, its jus smooth. The only issue is to get a good clearing agent once the car lands in mombasa. Trust me, importing for yourself, u'll save alot. Am nt against cars in the yards, but they all got their milleage messed up big time, u buy a machine thinking its clocked 45k kumbe the thing has 200k on it!

mkimwa yu sahihi..

Mileage errors

All cars imported into Kenya.... whether from the Middle Near or Far East... have some paperwork. eg Jevic Cert/service history or some importation documention (apart from the local logbook).

Why, suddenly, when the car gets to a 'Yard' the paperwork misteriously vanishes?

When you look at a vehicle for sale, ask for the original paperwork. If it is not available... then you know why?

In any case there's a few things you can check on the car.
-A shiny (extra smooth) steering wheel.
-Worn pedal rubbers/driver’s seat/carpet.

mr #7:
My importing process was bila hustle until the car landed in mombasa.
Now thats wea real shit happens, and there is nothing you can do about it. I picked the wrong clearing agent, actually a guy frm home,he conned me big time, everyday calling me with excuses, send money for this and that, till I had to travel to coast and literally 'pull' the car out of his hands!
I dont know how and wea to get the best clearing agent. But i guess a good bet would be to work with established big companies. But their charges are abit high, actually very high!

You do not need to go to the big clearing agents, first you can confirm if the agent is licenced from a list at the KRA website.There are honest ones but there are crooks too.Once you recieve your documents from the supplier, you will need to apply for an IDF at least 7 days before ship arrival, when the shipping company avails the manifest you can make an import enrty usis the vehicle CRSP value.If this is approved my KRA, you will be given the amount of duty payable.Do not pay to the agent bur write a bankers direct to the commissioner.The other charges include port, agency and shipping.

I have been dealing with fourseas cargo Ltd 1st Flr Libery Hse Msa Road.Thery are efficient ang very honest.They pay everything except Import duty then you refund after the vehicle is out.I can recomend them to you. Tel 020-821187

12K plus 1K for IDF precessing

The best thing to do is know the breakdown of what you expected to pay. FYI never give the Car duty in cash to the clearing agent. Write a Bankers Cheque to Customs Services Department-Your name.
The rest of the payable amount should not exceed 50K.
The breakdown should be something close to this:

duty =Payable only to Customs Services in bankers cheque :
Inquire with KRA if you want to be 100% sure how much you supposed to pay

shipping = 6,000
idf = 5,000
idf processin misc =1,000
portcharges= 17,000
agency =10,000
insurance=1,000
misc plate =2,000
general misc =2,000