Updated 12 November 2026
To drive a foreign-registered car or truck in Kenya you need a foreign vehicle permit, issued on top of a temporary-importation document: Form C32 for vehicles from East African Community (EAC) or COMESA countries, or a carnet de passages en douane for vehicles from elsewhere. That is the rule on the Kenya Revenue Authority’s diaspora importation page, checked on 12 November 2026. A vehicle entering on Form C32 gets a free 14-day temporary permit at the border; a vehicle on tour with a carnet gets a paid foreign vehicle permit in Kenya valid for a month.
Updated November 2026. This guide summarises KRA’s published requirements. It does not quote the permit fee because KRA’s page does not state it; the amount is shown when you apply on eCitizen.
On this page
In this guide
Which document your vehicle needs
| Where the vehicle is registered | Entry document | Foreign permit issued |
|---|---|---|
| EAC or COMESA country | Form C32 (Temporary Importation of Road Vehicles), issued at the border station | Free 14-day temporary permit at the entry point |
| Outside EAC and COMESA | Carnet de passages en douane (international circulation permit) or a pass sheet from the country of origin, valid for Kenya | Paid foreign permit, valid for a month, for vehicles on tour |
In both cases KRA says no vehicle may leave a customs border station unless the owner holds either Form C32 or a carnet, and a foreign permit. Check which bloc your registration country belongs to before you travel, because the route decides which papers the border will ask for.
Form C32 requirements for a foreign vehicle permit in Kenya
KRA lists what a driver must have to be issued a Form C32:
- Foreign identification (for a foreigner).
- A valid work permit or proof of residency abroad, if the driver is Kenyan.
- The foreign vehicle registration book (logbook) in the driver’s name.
- A valid power of attorney or written authority from the owner, if the driver is an agent of the owner.
- For diplomats, proof of ongoing diplomatic status, such as valid diplomatic identification.
KRA warns that people without these documents will not be issued Form C32 or allowed to operate a foreign-registered vehicle locally, and that such vehicles will be impounded. The logbook-in-your-name rule matters for Kenyans abroad who borrow a relative’s car to drive home for the holidays: carry a signed power of attorney.
Carnet requirements for vehicles from outside EAC and COMESA
Overland travellers from Europe, Southern Africa outside COMESA, or further afield need a carnet de passages en douane valid for Kenya (or a pass sheet from the country of origin). KRA also asks for:
- Foreign identification.
- Proof of residency in the foreign country, if the driver is Kenyan.
- The foreign registration book in the driver’s name.
- A power of attorney or owner’s authority, if the driver is not the owner.
Without these, KRA says the vehicle will not be allowed into the country or to operate locally.
How to get the foreign vehicle permit in Kenya
- Get your entry document at the border. Form C32 is issued at the border station; a carnet must already be endorsed and valid.
- Buy COMESA insurance. KRA lists a Certificate of COMESA Insurance (the regional third-party cover often called the Yellow Card) as a requirement. Our guide to checking motor insurance validity shows how to confirm a cover is genuine.
- Open an eCitizen account. The foreign vehicle permit application is made online through eCitizen.
- Apply on entry. KRA says the first application is made when you enter the country. C32 vehicles get the free 14-day temporary permit; carnet vehicles on tour get the paid one-month permit.
- Keep documents in the car. Carry the C32 or carnet, the foreign permit, the COMESA certificate, the logbook and any power of attorney at all times.
Your driving licence is a separate question from the vehicle permit. If you will stay long, see how to convert a foreign driving licence in Kenya. Visitors who need to pay tolls, fuel and parking can also read our guide on M-Pesa for tourists and foreigners.
Extensions, impounding and when to import properly
Extensions. When the 14 days or other granted period ends, you can apply to extend both Form C32 and the foreign vehicle permit in Kenya at the regional offices of KRA’s Customs and Border Control Department, Enforcement Division. KRA says an extension will not be allowed unless a customs officer physically inspects the vehicle and is satisfied there is a justified reason.
Impounding. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements must be re-exported immediately, and KRA says contraventions lead to enforcement action, including impounding.
Staying for good? A foreign vehicle permit is for temporary use. If you are moving to Kenya permanently, the car has to be imported through a clearing agent on iCMS, paying the 2% Import Declaration Fee on customs value plus duty, unless an exemption applies. Kenyans moving home should check the returning resident exemption, and everyone else can estimate the cost with our car import duty calculator. Once the car is locally registered, it falls under normal NTSA inspection rules.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a foreign vehicle permit in Kenya for a Ugandan or Tanzanian car?
Yes. A vehicle from an EAC or COMESA country needs Form C32 from the border station plus a foreign permit. KRA says C32 vehicles get a free 14-day temporary permit at the entry point.
How long is the foreign vehicle permit valid?
The free temporary permit for Form C32 vehicles lasts 14 days. The paid permit for touring vehicles with a carnet is valid for a month. Extensions need a physical inspection by customs.
Where do I apply for a foreign vehicle permit in Kenya?
Online through an eCitizen account, made on entry into the country, with your Form C32 or endorsed carnet and a COMESA insurance certificate.
What happens if I drive without the permit?
KRA says vehicles without the required documents must be re-exported immediately and may be impounded.
Prefer WhatsApp? Follow Business Radar on WhatsApp
We will email you a weekly money and business brief. We store your email (and your name, if you give one) for that purpose, under the Kenya Data Protection Act, 2019. You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy.
