NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has finally issued clarity on the rollout of a newly updated Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list for pre-owned vehicle imports, marking the first comprehensive revision since 2019.
In a statement, KRA outlined that the revamped valuation guide takes into account several dynamic changes within both the local and global automotive landscapes.
These include currency depreciation, tax adjustments, and the proliferation of new car models into the Kenyan market.
This updated CRSP is central to how taxes are assessed on used cars brought into the country, and its refresh follows prolonged consultations with various stakeholders.
A previous attempt to revise the valuation system in 2020 was derailed by legal disputes.
KRA reaffirmed that the valuation framework is in alignment with international standards, specifically referencing its foundation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Customs Valuation as incorporated in Kenya through the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) of 2004.
“The new CRSP list is a product of a transparent, consultative process that involved representatives from the Kenya Auto Bazaar Association, Car Importers Association of Kenya, and other key industry,” read the statement in part.
“We’ve integrated stakeholder feedback and updated valuation data sources to ensure a more accurate and inclusive system.”
One of the major catalysts for the overhaul is the economic transformation Kenya has experienced over the last few years.
The shilling has dropped in value from Sh100 to around Sh130 per US dollar since 2019.
Meanwhile, customs duty and excise rates have increased significantly, now capped at 35%.
The 2025 version of the CRSP list now contains over 5,200 distinct vehicle models, a notable jump from just 3,000 in the last edition.
This latest iteration also moves beyond broad classifications like engine capacity and drivetrain.
It now factors in nuanced specifications such as performance packages and trim details.
Despite the comprehensive nature of the update, KRA admitted that some of the more recent vehicle models did not make it onto the new list due to a lack of complete data from principal sources, notably the Japanese Yearbooks and Goo-net.
The authority said efforts are ongoing to plug these gaps as the technical team seeks additional trusted databases.
