Import duty

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ETSI ACTIVE BASIC

KRA values this model at KSh 3,565,504 new, and computes duty from that figure — not from what you actually paid for it.

Duty on an 8-year-old GOLF ETSI ACTIVE BASIC

Direct import

KSh 490,989

65% depreciation

Already registered in Kenya

KSh 226,869

83% depreciation, no RDL or IDF

A vehicle already registered in Kenya depreciates faster on KRA’s schedule and pays neither the Railway Development Levy nor the Import Declaration Fee. Most online calculators miss this.

How KRA gets to that number

CRSP (KRA’s new price)KSh 3,565,504
Less 65% depreciation, 8 years
Customs valueKSh 531,259
Import duty 35%KSh 185,940
Excise duty 20%KSh 143,440
VAT 16%KSh 137,702
Railway Development Levy 2%KSh 10,625
Import Declaration Fee 2.5%KSh 13,281
Total payable to KRAKSh 490,989

Band: Up to 1500cc · 990 · GASOLINE

Duty by age

Age	Year	Direct import	Registered in Kenya
1 yr	2025	KSh 1,402,826	KSh 1,067,617
2 yr	2024	KSh 1,122,261	KSh 867,439
3 yr	2023	KSh 981,978	KSh 667,261
4 yr	2022	KSh 841,696	KSh 533,809
5 yr	2021	KSh 701,413	KSh 400,356
6 yr	2020	KSh 631,272	KSh 333,630
7 yr	2019	KSh 561,130	KSh 266,904
8 yr	2018	KSh 490,989	KSh 226,869

Kenya does not permit importing vehicles more than eight years old, which is why the table stops there. These figures cover duty and taxes only — port charges, SGR, verification, Interpol clearance and NTSA registration are additional. KRA describes its own template as a guideline subject to verification, so confirm with a clearing agent before committing funds.

Source: KRA CRSP schedule, July 2025 · Calculation follows KRA’s own valuation template

All vehicles