When people decide to import cars from Japan to Kenya, the car itself is rarely the worry. The worry is the money. How much do you send, and when? What happens if the car you hoped for doesn't come up at auction? Who handles the port?
We've imported cars for over 10 years, from Japan and also from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Singapore. Here's exactly how our process works, including the payment stages.
The seven steps
| Step | What happens | Who does it | Your payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Requirements | You send us your exact spec: model, year, colour, budget, must-haves | You | Nothing yet |
| 2. Cost estimate | We give you an approximate landed cost | Us | Nothing yet |
| 3. Deposit | You pay to start the search | You | 20% of the approximate landed cost |
| 4. Car selection | We search and bid for matching cars, and share the options | Us and our agent | Nothing extra |
| 5. Purchase | You approve a car | You | A further 40% of the import cost |
| 6. Shipping and clearance | We ship it, clear it at port and transport it to Nairobi | Us | |
| 7. Final inspection | The car is inspected, checked and cleaned for delivery | Us | The balance, under our final payment terms |
From our Import With Us page.
Step 1: Be specific
The more precise your list, the faster we find the car. "A Prado" is a start. "A 2021 Prado diesel, white or black, 7 seats, sunroof, under 60,000 km" is a brief we can bid on. Tell us your must-haves and your nice-to-haves separately.
Step 2: The cost estimate
We work out an approximate landed cost based on your requirements. It's an estimate, not a final invoice, because the final price depends on the exact car we win. Ask us to walk you through each line so nothing comes as a surprise.
Step 3: The 20% deposit
You pay 20% of the approximate landed cost to start. Before you pay, read our deposit refund policy and the non-refundable conditions on the Import With Us page, and ask us to explain anything unclear.
Step 4: We search and bid
Our agents in each source country search for cars that match your brief and bid on them. We share the options with you. You don't have to take the first one.
Step 5: You pick, then pay 40%
Once you approve a car, you pay a further 40% of the import cost to complete the purchase. That's 60% paid in total at this point.
Step 6: Shipping, port clearance and transport
We handle the shipping, clearance at port and transport to Nairobi. You don't deal with the port or the paperwork yourself.
Step 7: Final inspection and handover
When the car arrives, we inspect it, check it and clean it before delivery. The balance is due under our final payment terms. Then registration and transfer follow, which our FAQs explain.
A worked example of the payment stages
Say your approximate landed cost comes to KSh 3,500,000. That's about what a CX5 costs in our showroom.
| Stage | Share | Amount (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (step 3) | 20% | 700,000 |
| On selection (step 5) | 40% | 1,400,000 |
| Balance | Remaining | 1,400,000 |
An illustration only, using our published percentages. Your figures depend on your estimate and final payment terms.
Before you commit, ask yourself this
Do you actually need to import? We keep a minimum of 50 cars in stock that are already imported and ready to view. If one of them fits, you skip the wait. Our guide Import to order or buy from stock? helps you decide.
To import cars from Japan to Kenya without the stress, start with a clear brief and an honest estimate. Send your spec to sales@elevenmotorske.com or WhatsApp +254 116 101 111, and we'll send back your approximate landed cost.
FAQs
How much deposit do I need to import a car through Eleven Motors?
20% of the approximate landed cost, paid after you receive your estimate.
When do I pay the rest?
A further 40% when you approve a car, then the balance under our final payment terms.
Do you only import from Japan?
No. We also import from the UK, Australia, South Africa and Singapore.
Who clears the car at the port?
We do. Shipping, port clearance and transport to Nairobi are all handled for you.
Is the deposit refundable?
That depends on our deposit refund policy and non-refundable conditions. Read them on the Import With Us page and ask us to confirm before you pay.
