How to Import Used Trucks from China to Kenya — 2026 Complete Guide
Why Kenya Needs Chinese Used Trucks
1. Infrastructure boom
Kenya is one of the countries in East Africa with the most vigorous infrastructure investment. Projects such as standard gauge railways, the expansion of Mombasa Port, the upgrading of the northern corridor roads, and housing construction under the “Big Four” plan all require a large amount of heavy transportation. The local manufacturing industry is almost non-existent. Building materials and equipment are all transported in by road, and trucks are a necessity of necessities. Once a construction project is launched, the transportation gap immediately becomes apparent, and second-hand trucks are the quickest to fill this gap.
2. Chinese cars dominate: It’s not a matter of whether to choose them or not; it’s simply because they are the only ones available in the market.
On the roads of Kenya, heavy trucks are mostly of Chinese brands – Dongfeng, Jiefang, Shaigao, Foton, Haowo. Out of every ten trucks on the road, seven or eight are of Chinese make. Behind this is an entire chain: Chinese automakers have distribution networks, spare parts supply, and maintenance systems in Kenya. You can always find a repair shop for any vehicle. Japanese cars are of good quality but expensive, with long parts delivery times. European cars are out of the question. Chinese cars don’t win the title of “the best”, but they do win the title of “the most adequate and easiest to maintain”. When the entire ecosystem revolves around Chinese cars, choosing other brands becomes an anomaly.
3. New vs old price difference: A gap of more than 3 times, no choice available
The price of a new Chinese heavy truck when it arrives in Kenya is approximately 50,000 – 60,000 US dollars. The same model of a second-hand truck (with a 3 – 5 year age) only costs 15,000 – 20,000 US dollars. That’s more than three times the difference. Most individual transporters and small fleets in Kenya simply cannot afford to buy a new truck. The bank loan interest rate is also high (commercial loan 15% +), and financing is almost impossible to achieve. With cash payment, second-hand trucks can be used immediately, and the cost can be recovered within a few months. Moreover, Chinese trucks are designed with practicality in mind and have a low maintenance threshold. Even after being used as a second-hand vehicle, they can still perform their duties. Unlike European vehicles, which “can’t be maintained when they get old”, Chinese trucks can still work even after being used as second-hand vehicles. Therefore, it’s not a matter of choosing second-hand; it’s that the economic reality has only left one option.
Summary in one sentence: Kenya chose Chinese second-hand trucks not because of preference, but because the entire process pushed it that way – infrastructure construction created demand, Chinese vehicles occupied the market position, and the threefold price difference locked in the choice.
Which Trucks Work Best in Kenya
| Vehicle model | Brand | Model number | Core advantage | Refer to the second-hand price | Note |
| Dump Truck | Shaanxi Automobile | Delong F3000 8×4 | The quantity is the first in the list. It is the standard equipment at the construction site. When choosing accessories, just pick them up randomly. | $18K-25K | Shaanxi Auto F3000. Not because it’s the best, but because on construction sites, ten out of seven self-unloading trucks are this model. When it breaks down, spare parts can be found immediately. Howo is the alternative for those with tight budgets. |
| Tractor Head | FAW Jiefang | J6P 6×4 | The first choice for long-distance trunk lines, with the lowest fuel consumption among its peers | $20K-28K | Liberate J6P. Long-distance transportation fuel consumption is crucial. The J6P uses 3-5 liters less diesel per 100 kilometers compared to Howo. A round trip from Mombasa to Nairobi would save you a significant amount of money. If there are many mountainous roads, switch to the Shaanxi Auto X3000. |
| Cargo Truck | Futong | Ouman 5 Series 6×2 | Top seller in China and Africa, all-rounder for short-distance deliveries | $10K-15K | Futian Ouman 5 Series. The mid-range segment has a large inventory, numerous spare parts, and a wide range of applications, making it easy to sell. If your budget is tight, go for the 3 Series – it has fewer features but is still sufficient. |
| Pickup | The Great Wall | Fengjun 5/7 | China has the largest number of pickup trucks, with a wide range of accessories available, and the prices are only half of those of the Hilux. | $6K-10K | Changcheng Fengjun 7. Pickups in Kenya are tools, not status symbols. The Fengjun 7 is sufficient, easy to maintain and affordable. If your budget is sufficient and you care about value retention, the Hilux is still the top choice. However, the price difference for second-hand units is too large and the return on investment period is long. |
These models can be seen on the roads in Kenya, not just from the parameters listed on paper.
RHD vs LHD: What Kenya Buyers Need to Know
Kenya drives on the left (RHD). Chinese truck manufacturers, including HOWO, Shacman, and FAW, produce factory RHD versions for export markets. When you buy from us, we source the RHD version for you — no conversion needed.
If an LHD truck is already in stock (which is common, as most Chinese trucks are LHD by default), RHD conversion is available at an additional $800-$1,500. But we always recommend ordering factory RHD when possible.
Kenya Import Duty & Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Tax Base |
| Import Duty | 25% | CIF Value |
| Excise Duty | 10% | CIF + Import Duty |
| VAT | 16% | CIF + Import Duty + Excise Duty |
| Railway Development Levy | 2% | CIF Value |
| Import Declaration Fee | 3.5% | CIF Value |
Shipping from China to Kenya
1. Full process: From China to Kenya
Qualification preparation, domestic inspection, export customs declaration, maritime transportation, destination port customs clearance, and local delivery.
2. List of documents
3. RORO vs Container Comparison
https://www.hebeicar.com/import-cars-by-country/kenya/
How to Find a Supplier You Can Trust
This is where most buyers make mistakes.
Here is what I tell every Kenyan buyer:
- Ask for a live video call. Not photos — a video call where you see the actual truck. We do this for every customer. If a supplier refuses, walk away.
- Check that the documents match the truck. VIN, registration, and year model. Some sellers swap papers between trucks.
- Get shipping costs upfront. CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) is standard. Make sure you know what is included.
- Ask about the export paperwork. You need a Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, and a Vehicle Title. Without these, your truck sits at Tema port.
- Beware of prices that are too good. If a HOWO 6×4 is offered at $8,000, something is wrong. Either the truck has issues, or the paperwork will be a problem.
We offer video inspection for every truck before you pay anything. You see the engine start, check the tires, and hear it run. No surprises.
Why Buy from HebeiCar
- 10+ years in used truck export
- Full mechanical inspection before shipment
- Flexible RORO & container shipping
- Professional export documentation
- ⚡ WhatsApp quick response — get answers within hours
FAQ
- Are used Chinese trucks allowed in Kenya? → Yes, up to 8 years old.
- Can I drive LHD in Kenya? → Yes, legal. Many HOWO/Shacman trucks are already running.
- How long does shipping China→Mombasa? → 20-30 days.
- Total landed cost for HOWO dump? → ~$30,000-$32,000.
- Can I inspect before buying? → Yes, live video via WhatsApp.
- Ship to Uganda/Rwanda through Mombasa? → Yes, we ship CIF Mombasa.
- What documents are needed? → BL, Invoice, Packing List, Cert of Origin, KRA PIN, IDF.
- How to find a clearing agent? → We share trusted contacts.
📧 Email: [email protected]
▶️ YouTube — truck walkarounds & inventory updates
🎵 TikTok — real videos of current stock
