B2B vehicle supply from Japan to Kenya
Import cars from Japan to Kenya
Source Japanese used cars for dealer inventory, fleet demand, and repeat resale programs in Kenya.
Part of a business group working with Japan since 1991.
Licensed Japanese exporter and JUMVEA member.
More than 20,000 vehicles exported in 2025.
Export operations managed from Nagoya, Japan.
Built for repeat business purchasing.
Why Sumotori Auto
A Japanese car exporter built for repeat Kenya orders
Expand your access to Japanese stock without opening a company or hiring an operations team in Japan.
Dealer-only auction access
Search vehicles and review auction data through Yokozuna, our online platform for sourcing, pricing, and analytics.
Make informed buying decisions
Use translated auction sheets, grades, photos, statistics, and condition notes before you approve a bid.
Control each purchase
Set the required specification and a maximum bid, then review the expected vehicle and logistics costs before buying.
Model landed cost before buying
Add your clearing agent’s current Kenya charges in Yokozuna to compare an estimated landed cost with your resale target.
Leave Japan-side operations to us
We coordinate settlement, domestic transport, export preparation, port handling, and shipping.
Build a repeat supply program
Combine auction purchases with ready stock and adjust the mix around Kenyan customer demand.
Your team controls the inventory plan and selling price while Sumotori Auto runs the purchasing and export workflow in Japan.
Choose a purchasing model
Buy at auction or choose ready stock
Choose one channel for a specific order or combine both when building a larger shipment.
Auction sourcing
Bid on vehicles listed by official Japanese auction houses and B2B platforms.
- Search by model, year, mileage, grade, and budget in Yokozuna
- Follow the auction schedule and place bids through your Yokozuna account
- Receive an English auction-sheet translation and request human review when needed
- Order an on-site inspection for selected vehicles where available
Choose auctions when
Regular purchasing and precise inventory requirements
Stock vehicles
Select from Sumotori Auto inventory with confirmed availability.
- Vehicle photos, condition information, and documents available before confirmation
- No auction wait or bidding risk
- Purchase price confirmed before payment
- Easy to add to an existing auction order
Choose stock when
Fast replenishment and confirmed availability
How the process works
From your buying brief to shipment from Japan
Five clear steps keep the specification, buying limit, condition data, and shipment status visible throughout the order.
Send your buying brief
Specify the model, first-registration year, mileage, grade, engine, budget, volume, destination port, and preferred delivery terms.
Receive a shortlist and cost structure
We present matching auction lots and stock vehicles with the available condition data, photos, and purchase terms.
Before approval, you receive the agreed service fee, inland transport cost, sailing estimate, and Incoterms.
Approve the bid or stock offer
You set the maximum bid or confirm a stock offer. Our team completes the purchase and settlement in Japan.
No vehicle is purchased above the limit or outside the specification you approved.
Inspect and prepare the vehicle
After purchase, we complete the agreed inspection or preparation work before export handling begins.
The vehicle is deregistered, moved to the export yard or port, and prepared for loading.
Book the shipment and receive documents
Once your team confirms the import and inspection instructions, we book the vessel, coordinate loading, and provide shipment details.
Your Kenyan clearing agent receives the invoice, export certificate, bill of lading, and other agreed Japan-side documents for clearance.
Kenya import check
Confirm Kenya eligibility before we bid
Share your clearing agent’s instructions and planned arrival date before bidding. We use them to shortlist vehicles; the Kenyan importer remains responsible for IDF, taxes, clearance, and registration.
Year of first registration
A used vehicle must be less than eight years old from its year of first registration. Confirm the eligible registration year for the planned arrival, especially for year-end shipments.
Right-hand drive
Standard imports must be right-hand drive. Left-hand-drive vehicles are not registered unless they fall within a defined special-purpose exception.
KEBS roadworthiness inspection
A KEBS-appointed inspection company must check the vehicle in the country of export. Complete the inspection and obtain the required roadworthiness evidence before shipment.
IDF and clearing agent
Appoint a licensed Kenyan clearing agent to lodge the Import Declaration Form. Provide the processed IDF with inspection instructions before Japan-side arrangements begin.
KRA CRSP valuation
KRA assesses used vehicles using its Current Retail Selling Price schedule rather than relying only on the purchase invoice. A revised CRSP schedule has applied since 1 July 2025.
Vehicle-specific taxes and charges
The amount changes with customs value and vehicle category. Ask your clearing agent to calculate import duty, excise duty, 16% VAT, IDF, RDL, port costs, and registration expenses for that unit.
Official references: KRA motor vehicle import procedure, KEBS PVoC guidance, and KRA current CRSP notice.
What we source
Build inventory for the Kenyan market
Browse passenger, commercial, motorcycle, and machinery stock through one Sumotori Auto account.
Used cars
Compact cars, sedans, wagons, SUVs, 4x4s, hybrids, and premium models across varied specifications and grades.
View passenger cars from Japan Business useCommercial vehicles
Vans, minibuses, pickups, and light commercial vehicles for dealership, fleet, and business demand.
View commercial vehicles from Japan Heavy segmentTrucks
Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks selected around payload, body type, drivetrain, and operating requirements.
View trucks from Japan Specialist stockMotorcycles
Road, sport, touring, off-road, and specialist motorcycles from auction or ready stock.
View motorcycles from Japan MachineryConstruction machinery
Excavators, loaders, cranes, and specialist equipment for dealers, contractors, and project buyers.
Browse machinery from JapanCombined shipments
Combine passenger, commercial, motorcycle, and machinery purchases under one account and shipping plan.
Availability changes daily. Send your target models and planned volume to receive current auction and stock options.
FAQ
Before ordering a Japanese vehicle for Kenya
Short answers on account setup, private orders, and landed cost.
Send your company registration details and purchasing contact. We will verify the account, explain Yokozuna access, deposits, payment terms, and how to place the first order.
No. Sumotori Auto works with dealers, resellers, and business buyers.
Our offer shows the vehicle price, Sumotori fees, Japan-side logistics, and ocean freight under the agreed terms. Your Kenyan clearing agent adds KRA-assessed taxes, levies, port charges, clearance, and registration for the exact model and year.
Contact Sumotori Japan
Start cooperation with Sumotori Japan
Fill in the form and our team will contact you to discuss your request, available cooperation options and next steps.
- Business cooperation requests and project discussions
- Support for dealers, partners and business clients
- Japan-based team for sourcing, export, logistics and related services
Contact information
Contact Sumotori Japan
2 Chome-20-22 Kikui, Garden Front Kikui 4F