Kenya Car Prices 2026 — What Changed with CRSP

What is CRSP?

The Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) is a schedule published by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) that determines the customs value of imported used cars. It's the basis for calculating import duty, excise, and VAT.

What changed in 2025-2026

In July 2025, KRA introduced a new CRSP schedule that significantly affected duty calculations for many popular models. Key changes:

• **Duty increased** on most Japanese imports by 10-25%.
• **Hybrid vehicles** saw a smaller duty increase, making them relatively more attractive.
• **European brands** (BMW, Mercedes, VW) were hit harder due to higher base CRSP values.
• **Popular models** like Toyota Harrier, Nissan X-Trail, and Mazda CX-5 saw duty increases of KES 50,000-200,000.

How this affects you as a buyer

If you're importing

Your total landed cost is now higher. Always run the current duty estimate before committing to a purchase overseas. Use our duty calculator for the latest CRSP-based estimates.

If you're buying locally

Used car prices have adjusted upward as sellers factor in higher replacement costs. The resale market is tight — good cars sell fast.

If you're selling

Your car is worth more than it was 12 months ago, assuming you maintain it well. Service records and clean history command premiums.

Which cars are most affected?

| Category | Impact | Examples | |----------|--------|----------| | Large petrol SUVs | Highest duty increase | Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol | | Mid-size petrol | Moderate increase | Toyota Harrier, RAV4, Mazda CX-5 | | Hybrids | Smallest increase | Toyota Aqua, Nissan Note e-Power, Harrier hybrid | | European luxury | Significant increase | BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 |

Strategies for 2026

1. **Consider hybrids** — they're now relatively cheaper to import due to lower duty rates. 2. **Buy locally** — sometimes a ready-to-transfer local car is cheaper than importing after all fees. 3. **Negotiate harder** — with higher CRSP values, sellers who bought before the change have more margin. 4. **Check the CRSP value** of any car you're considering — it directly affects the price you pay.

Use our tools

• **Duty calculator** — estimate total import cost for any model.
• **Price comparison** — see what similar cars are selling for locally.
• **Market analysis** — our AI-powered pricing shows if a listing is above or below market.