Buy a Car in Australia and Ship It to Kenya: Step by Step

Buying a car in Australia and shipping it to Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda can get you a better car for the money than buying at home. The secret is doing things in the right order: check the destination rules first, then choose the car, then ship it. Most expensive mistakes come from buying first and checking later.

This step-by-step guide covers the whole process, from choosing a car in Australia to having it delivered to the door in East Africa. BenCal can help at every stage, from finding the car to shipping it.

Step 1: Check the destination rules before you look at cars

Each country has its own rules on which used vehicles can come in. At the time of writing (October 2026):

Country	Key vehicle rules
Kenya	For ordinary used cars, KRA lists right-hand drive, less than eight years from first registration and roadworthiness inspection requirements. Confirm the annual arrival cut-off and inspection arrangements before purchase.
Tanzania	Check TBS inspection requirements and obtain a current TRA tax assessment for the vehicle. Age, engine size and vehicle category affect the checks and costs.
Uganda	Vehicles more than 15 years old from the year of manufacture cannot be imported, except heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 4,000 kg or more. Vehicles between 9 and 15 years old attract an environmental levy.

Requirements depend on the vehicle and its arrival date. Before you start shopping, tell us the destination and we will confirm the current rules, so you know which years and types of car are worth looking at.

Official guidance: KRA vehicle import procedures, URA import FAQs and Tanzania vehicle tax assessment. Checked 6 October 2026; confirm the requirements for your shipment before purchase.

Step 2: Work out the full cost, not just the price

The price of the car is only part of the cost. Add:

sea freight from Perth to the destination
import duties and taxes at the destination, which depend on the vehicle and can be significant
any age-related duty or levy in Tanzania or Uganda
registration and local costs once the car arrives
optional cargo insurance while it travels

Compare that total with buying the same car at home. Ask us when you request a quote and we will help you understand the shipping side and the current import position for the specific car.

Step 3: Choose the right car for the road at home

Right-hand drive. Check the actual steering configuration and whether it is accepted at the destination.
Age. Stay comfortably inside the limit, remembering that the car is judged when it arrives, which is weeks after you buy it.
Parts and servicing. Choose makes and models that are common at home, so parts and mechanics are easy to find.
Condition. Roads and conditions differ. A sound, well-maintained car is worth more than a cheaper one that needs work.

Want us to find the car for you?

Tell us the make, model, year range and budget and we search Perth and interstate.

Vehicle Sourcing

Step 4: Find the car, or let us find it

You can buy privately, from a dealer or at auction. If you would rather not spend weekends looking, our vehicle sourcing service searches Perth and interstate for the make, model, year range and budget you give us, with the destination rules in mind. How long it takes depends on the car: common models can turn up quickly, rarer ones take longer. We also have a small, changing selection of used cars for sale in Perth.

Step 5: Have it checked before you pay

Get an independent mechanical inspection before you hand over money, and check that the car is not under finance or written off. A problem found in Perth is far cheaper to deal with than one found after the car has crossed the Indian Ocean.

Step 6: Keep every document

the registration papers showing the year of first registration
the contract of sale or receipt, showing the price paid
proof of ownership in your name
service records, if available

These are needed for export, for customs clearance at the destination and for registering the car at home.

Step 7: Cancel the Australian registration

A car leaving Australia permanently needs its registration cancelled. In Western Australia, you return the number plates to a Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure service centre or regional agent, which cancels the licence. You can then apply for a pro rata refund of the unused licence fee and Motor Injury Insurance through DoTDirect or the department's refund form. Other states have their own process, so check with your state's transport department. Talk to us about timing, so the car can still be driven to our depot.

Step 8: Book sea freight

Cars travel by sea. Our sea freight leaves Perth once a month, so ask for the next cut-off date and plan the purchase and plate return around it. If you are moving home, a full container can carry the car together with your household goods. We will tell you how to prepare the car for shipping.

Step 9: Clearance and delivery

When the car lands, our team handles customs clearance and the car is delivered to the address you give us. Allow around 6 to 8 weeks door to door for Kenya, 6 to 9 weeks for Tanzania and 8 to 10 weeks for Uganda, counted from departure. You can follow progress on our tracking page.

The order that saves money

Confirm the destination rules for the year and type of car.
Work out the full landed cost.
Choose a car that suits the road and parts at home.
Find it yourself or use our vehicle sourcing.
Inspect it before you pay.
Keep every document.
Cancel the Australian registration at the right time.
Book the monthly sailing.
Track it to the door.

Shipping to Kenya specifically? Read shipping a car from Australia to Kenya for the extra detail.

Rules referenced in this guide were checked in October 2026 against the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Tanzania Revenue Authority, the Uganda Revenue Authority and the WA Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure's guidance on vehicle licence cancellations. They change, so we confirm the current position for your vehicle before you buy or book. This guide is general information, not customs or tax advice.