Tanzania

In Tanzania, there is no limit for how old an imported vehicle can be. However, any vehicle older than 10 years will have higher taxes charged. It is highly recommended to purchase a vehicle less than 10 years old.

There is an import declaration fee that must be paid. The calculation is FOB price (Free on Board) × 1.12 + $10 USD × number of units. All non-commercial vehicles will also have a VAT (Value Added Tax) of 18% and an import duty tax of 25%. The excise duty tax is determined by the engine capacity of the vehicle.

To easily determine the taxes for a certain vehicle to be imported, you can use the calculator at the following link: http://www.tra.go.tz/index.php/calculators-tools.

All vehicles imported to Tanzania from Japan must pass an inspection performed by the JAAI (Japan Automobile Appraisal Institute). The JAAI is a non-profit organization supervised by the Japanese government. If a vehicle fails the inspection, repairs must be made to pass and receive the JAAI certificate. Vehicles arriving in Tanzania without a JAAI certificate will incur penalties for the importer or owner.

Importing cars into Tanzania is increasingly popular. Not all roads are paved, so some roads can be rough on cars lower to the ground, especially during the rainy season. Some prefer SUVs for driving on these roads, while others opt for hatchbacks due to their lower fuel cost.

Toyota vehicles are the most popular in Tanzania, with models like the Spacio, Rav4, and Land Cruiser being common picks. Many people prefer Toyota because parts are easy to find when issues arise. However, Honda vehicles are gaining popularity, with models like the CR-V and Fit.

Hiring a clearing agent can simplify the import process, especially if you live far from the port city. Clearing agents handle paperwork and assist in obtaining a license number for the vehicle. When your vehicle arrives, the clearing agent will inform you, and you will need to travel to collect it. However, some people prefer to handle everything themselves without using a clearing agent.

The most popular port for importing into Tanzania is the Dar es Salaam Port. It is 2 kilometers in length and has a container berth of 540 meters in length.

Those residing in the northern part of Tanzania may choose to use the Port of Mombasa in Kenya, which is 273 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam. The Port of Mombasa is larger, at 3 kilometers in length, and has five containers totaling 964 meters.

When you arrive at the port, you need to find the Customs Department to pay the import taxes on the vehicle. If you hire a clearing agent, they will handle all documentation and tax payments for you. The Customs department is open seven days a week, from 7 am to 6 pm, for your convenience.