How do you import a car from Japan to Burundi, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Burundi charges 30% import duty on the CIF value and 18% VAT on the running total, about 53% of CIF for a typical car. No strict age limit is commonly reported, and right-hand-drive cars are registered. Cars reach landlocked Burundi through Dar es Salaam or Mombasa.
Car import duty calculator for Burundi
Burundi is a landlocked country in the heart of East Africa, and used Japanese vehicles are a practical, popular choice given the relative affordability of Japanese auction stock and the availability of parts and mechanics regionally. Cars enter Burundi overland — typically via Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, a long inland haul that adds meaningfully to the total cost. There is no commonly reported strict age restriction, and both right- and left-hand-drive vehicles are accepted. Import duty of approximately 30% plus 18% VAT applies on the imported value, and a local customs broker handles clearance in Bujumbura.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Burundi?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No strict age restriction commonly reported; landlocked via Dar es Salaam/Mombasa.
- Inspection
- Customs broker; no common pre-shipment inspection
- Entry ports
- Dar es Salaam + inland to Bujumbura
How do you import a car from Japan to Burundi, step by step?
Check the import rules
No strict age restriction commonly reported; landlocked via Dar es Salaam/Mombasa. Burundi accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Burundi.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Burundi: Customs broker; no common pre-shipment inspection.
Ship to Dar es Salaam + inland to Bujumbura
Cars from Japan arrive at Dar es Salaam + inland to Bujumbura. Sea transit is about 36–58 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses Import duty and VAT / GST; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Burundi's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Burundi charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 30% | CIF value |
| VAT / GST | 18% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty
Rate: 30%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT / GST
Rate: 18%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Burundi applies approximately 30% import duty on the customs value of imported vehicles, plus 18% VAT on the imported value. Customs fees and local broker charges also apply at clearance.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Burundi?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam + inland to Bujumbura | RoRo or container | 36–58 | US$2,700 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Burundi?
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A reliable, parts-available family sedan that handles Burundi's mixed urban and rural roads and holds strong resale value across the region.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
A rugged commercial wagon favoured by traders and businesses throughout East Africa for its low running costs and durability on difficult roads.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
Compact and fuel-efficient with a practical interior, the Fit suits daily commuting in Bujumbura and keeps fuel costs down.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
An economical hatchback with very low running costs — a budget-conscious import choice that is easy to maintain anywhere in Burundi.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Burundi?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bujumbura | dar-es-salaam | US$850 | US$1,060 | 7 |
| Gitega | dar-es-salaam | US$820 | US$1,020 | 7 |
| Ngozi | dar-es-salaam | US$840 | US$1,050 | 7 |
| Rumonge | dar-es-salaam | US$840 | US$1,050 | 7 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Burundi?
- No strict age restriction is commonly reported for Burundi. Customs valuation and registration requirements still apply.
- How much does it cost in total to import a car from Japan to Burundi?
- Approximately 30% import duty and 18% VAT apply on the imported value, plus the long overland transit from Dar es Salaam — which adds roughly $820-850 for a sedan depending on your city.
- How does the car get from Japan to Burundi?
- The car ships by sea to the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, then travels overland through Tanzania to Burundi.
Sources
- Office Burundais des Recettes — checked 15 October 2026
- East African Community — Customs — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Burundi
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.