International: Kenya

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

A Single COMESA Carrier’s License Covers Multiple Countries

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own goods vehicles across the region. Introduced in 1991, the COMESA Carrier’s License allows a commercial goods vehicle to be licensed once and operate throughout all COMESA member states currently implementing the scheme (11 mainland countries, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Eritrea, Malawi, and Eswatini). This differs from bilateral or per-country permit systems: a vehicle holding this licence can pick up backloads in other member states rather than needing a separate authorization for each one. Where a mover subcontracts the cross-border carriage, the carrier’s own licence covers the transport it performs.

A Distinct Regional Insurance Product (Yellow Card) Applies

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles across the region. The COMESA Yellow Card Scheme provides third-party motor vehicle insurance recognized across the scheme’s participating countries (13 as of the source found, including some non-COMESA members). It is distinct from Kenya’s domestic third-party insurance requirement.

Foreign Vehicles Entering Kenya

Yes, where the mover operates a foreign-registered commercial vehicle in Kenya. A foreign-registered commercial vehicle from an EAC or COMESA country entering Kenya needs a Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit obtained through Kenya’s eCitizen platform. Temporary importation documents for the vehicle are customs matters: see Country Guides.

OverviewOverview & Scope

A mover operating its own goods vehicles for road transport into fellow COMESA member states can obtain a single Carrier’s License covering the vehicle across the entire participating bloc, rather than needing separate authorization for each country. This regional structure was introduced in 1991. Carriers under this framework should also hold the COMESA Yellow Card, a distinct regional third-party insurance product recognized across participating countries. In the reciprocal direction, a foreign commercial vehicle entering Kenya from an EAC or COMESA country needs a Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit. Where a mover subcontracts the cross-border carriage, these licences and documents attach to the carrier operating the vehicle, and the mover should use carriers that hold the licences that transport requires.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers that carry goods across Kenya’s borders by road in their own vehicles must:

1. Obtain a COMESA Carrier’s License for each commercial goods vehicle intended to operate across fellow COMESA member states, confirming current participating countries.
2. Obtain COMESA Yellow Card insurance, distinct from Kenya’s domestic third-party insurance requirement.
3. Obtain a Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit if operating a foreign-registered commercial vehicle within Kenya.

Movers that subcontract the cross-border carriage must:

4. Use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• COMESA Carrier’s License held for each vehicle used for regional cross-border road transportWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles across COMESA borders)Verified by DocumentRequired
• COMESA Yellow Card insurance in forceWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles in Yellow Card participating countries)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit heldWhere applicable (mover operates a foreign-registered commercial vehicle in Kenya)Verified by DocumentRequired