ARTICLE
Why Import Duty Went Up: KRA's CRSP Schedule Explained
If you've priced an import recently and the duty surprised you, the reason is usually KRA's Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) schedule.
Duty is charged on KRA's value, not your price
When you import a used car, KRA doesn't calculate duty on the price you paid in Japan. It uses the CRSP, its own figure for what that make and model sells for new in Kenya, and reduces it for the car's age. Duty is then worked out on that value.
That means two identical cars bought at very different auction prices attract the same duty, and a car bought cheaply at auction can carry a large tax bill.
What changed
KRA published a new CRSP schedule in May 2025, effective 1 July 2025, its first full update since 2019. Values for many models went up, and with them the duty importers pay. KRA defended the new template against criticism from importers.
What you pay
The landed cost of an import includes:
- Import duty
- Excise duty, which rises with engine size
- VAT at 16%
- the Import Declaration Fee (IDF) and the Railway Development Levy (RDL)
Rates are set by the Finance Act and change from time to time, so treat any figure you see online: including old KRA pages: with care, and confirm the final number with your clearing agent or KRA.
Before you buy
- Estimate the duty first with our Duty Calculator, using the exact model and year.
- Check the car qualifies under the 8-year rule.
- Check its history with a CarTrust report: auction sheet, grade and mileage, paying full duty on a damaged car doubles the loss.