Thanks vj for your your clarifications. As for the vehicles registered in jan 2011, can i be able to import say in Nov 2011?.

Hi VJ & JkMwatha ,
Thanks all for your effort and invaluable contributions , On the same note VJ ,JkMwatha & All i would need some assistance in C&F . I have the below units coming to kenya mid May and some are to follow
Year Make Model
2004/Feb NISSAN SKYLINE

2004/May TOYOTA ALLION

2004/Sep TOYOTA ALLION

I would like a dependable C&F agent who you have worked with before and you can confidently refer .
Thanks
Skynet Cars (K) LTD

Thanks @ Tebes. I rest my case.

The date of registration is important when it comes to depreciating the car in terms of age. For example:

A car registered in December 2004 will be 6 years and 3 months old in March 2011; hence it will fall into the tax bracket of 7-6 years old whose CRSP depreciation is 60%. Whereas a car registered in January 2004 will be 7 years and 2 months old in March 2011, hence falls into the 7-8 year old tax bracket whose depreciation is 70%.

In order for the CRSP value to be depreciated by a greater amount thus resulting in lower import taxes, it is ideal for you to import a car registered in the month preceding it arrival.

As for the calendar year issue, you will not be allowed to bring a 2003 registered car in 2011 even if the car isn’t 8 years old. For example a car registered in Dec 2003 will be 7 years and 4 months old in March 2011, will not be allowed into the country, although it falls within the KRA age bracket (of up to 8 years).

I’m not very sure about how the time when you actually pay the duty affects the process. However I think if your import declaration forms (IDF) have been accepted then it doesn’t really matter when you pay your duty, only thing is that port charges will be accumulating (but KRA/KPA will possess your car and auction it after a certain time frame). The most important thing is for your car to arrive before the deadline for the year/age comes into effect.

For Clearing I would recommend Agility Logistics, have worked with them for quite some time and have never been disappointed. Cargo is usually cleared within a week and without any stress.

You can check the registration date of the car you wish to import from Japan by entering the VIN/ chassis number on the following link:


@vj, very good stuff. You have demystified the process...thanks

http://www.sbtjapan.com/chassischeck.aspx

@ VJ you are the car import guru.....!!!
feel confident right now to import my own....once i get it i'll sure as hell give u ride in it...!!!

Hi guys, anyone ever bought a unit from http://www.beforward.jp/seem to have very cheap albeit not very good grade of cars

You cannot import a car registered in 2003 in 2011...no way around it (unless you know the man who took over from Kosgey).

As for the duty payment derived from CRSP or invoice i would like you to consider the following scenario:

You buy a 2004 Mitsubishi Pajero V73 (3000cc) average CIF price $16000 = kshs 1,280,000

Duty according to CRSP = 564,880

Duty according to CIF invoie:
1)25% import duty on CIF value : 1,280,000 x 25% = 320,000

2)20% Excise duty on CIF+import duty value = (1,280,000 + 320,000) x 20% = 320,000

3)16% VAT on CIF+import duty value+excise duty value = (1,280,000 + 320,000 + 320,000) x 16% = 307,200

Total duty according to CIF invoice will therefore be 307,200+320,000+320,000= 947,200

KRA will therefore take the value of duty that brings them the highest revenue and in this case it is the duty value calculated by the CIF invoice. So be smart about this issue when importing.