Every once in a while I come across guys who claim they import/sell used Tyres from Dubai. If it's illegal, how do they get here?

As MaichBlack asked, why buy used tyres?

Used tyres are actually expensive.

I was shopping for Mark X tyres just a month ago.
Here are the figures:

Used tyres of 50% tread depth after haggling = 6,500 each.
New tyres (of 100% tread depth of course) = 11,000 each.
Now do the math.

To top it off, the new tyres seller gives a proper ETR cash sale and offers complimentary wheel balancing.

The used tyre seller would only offer a generic receipt and would just fit the bought tyres. Wheel balancing unajifanyia mwenyewe huko mbele!

Used pirelli, bridgestone continental etc tyres from the EU and especially germany will be miles better "than the new" GT made with weak walls and without regard to safety. Most ppular 185/70R/14. 195/65/R15 215/70/R16.
265 and etc

I thought those countries have regulations regarding tire tread depth and therefore citizens change tires when the tread wears to a certain extent, and becomes unsafe and illegal to drive on such worn out tires. It means it would also be unsafe to drive on such tires here in Kenya especially with our bad roads. Unless wazungus change their tires like clothes and thus throw away good tires. NB We also have regulations regarding tire tread depth benchmarked to international standards.

I think used tyre imports were banned into the country a few years back if I recall. check with kra and kebs, unless they have amended the rules again. a lot of the dealers used to sell them before, then the scam came to light. if you bought Pirelli or Michelin 10 years ago chances were that they were used ex European ones or fake.