Used Car Import Regulations in Tanzania
Tanzania accepts only right-hand drive vehicles, with vehicles within 8 years of manufacture being the standard. Vehicles 8 years or older incur an excise surcharge (dumping fee), and pre-export PVoC inspection is mandatory.
Right-hand drive only
No fixed age limit
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Import Eligibility
- Age limit: vehicles within 8 years of manufacture are the standard import target.
- Age penalty (Dumping Fee):
- 8 to under 10 years: +15% added to excise duty
- 10 years or more: +30% added to excise duty
*As of 2025, model year 2017 or later is a guideline for the 'safe zone'.
Import Duties & Taxes
1. Import duty: 25% (passenger cars), 15% (commercial vans, trucks, etc.)
2. VAT: 18% (on CIF + import duty + excise duty)
3. Excise duty *important change: displacement brackets may have been revised or subdivided.
- 0–1,000cc: 0%
- 1,001–2,000cc: 5%
- Over 2,000cc: 10%
(Note: previously 0% applied up to 1,500cc, but the latest TRA materials indicate taxation from over 1,000cc.)
4. Railway Development Levy (RDL): 2.0% (raised from 1.5%)
5. Customs Processing Fee (CPF): 0.6%
Vehicle Condition
- PVoC inspection (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) is mandatory.
- A pre-export inspection certificate from an inspection body accredited by TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards) is required (e.g., EAA, JEVIC, QISJ, Intertek – check the latest list).
- Vehicles arriving without inspection are subject to a penalty equal to 30% of the CIF value and local inspection (no clearance until passed).
Required Documents
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Export Certificate (deregistration certificate; English translation required)
- Inspection certificate (Certificate of Roadworthiness)
- TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) and VRN (VAT Registration Number)
Steering (RHD/LHD) Rules
Only right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles can be imported.
Left-hand drive vehicles are prohibited unless specially permitted (ambulances, fire engines, diplomatic vehicles, etc.).
Shipping Methods
RORO and container shipping.
Main port: Dar es Salaam.
*Port congestion surcharges may apply, so checking the shipping line's latest schedule is recommended.
Sources
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)
Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)
East African Community (EAC)
Information is current as of the verification date. Please check with the relevant government authorities for the latest information.