How do you import a car from Japan to Mozambique, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Mozambique charges customs duty of 25% of CIF on cars up to 1,500 cc and 40% above, a 3% excise (ICE) on CIF plus duty, and 16% VAT on the total. That adds about 49% of CIF for a small car and 67% for a larger one. There is no age limit; cars are right-hand drive and must pass Intertek pre-shipment inspection, or pay a fine of 10% of CIF.
Worked example: a 2016 Toyota Vitz 1.3 L costs about 643,000 to 695,000 MZN (US$10,100 to US$10,900) delivered to Maputo, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Mozambique
Mozambique drives on the left and imports right-hand-drive cars, so Japanese domestic stock fits the steering rule as built. There is no age limit on used car imports, which makes it one of the more open markets in the region for older cars. The rule that catches buyers out is inspection. Under Ministerial Diploma 244/2011 every used vehicle imported into Mozambique must pass a pre-shipment inspection at origin by Intertek, the government's sole inspection provider. A car that arrives without it does not clear customs until it is inspected at destination, at the full inspection cost plus a fine equal to 10% of the CIF value Intertek sets for customs. Most cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Maputo. Tax depends mainly on engine size: customs duty jumps from 25% to 40% above 1,500 cc, which makes a 1.5-litre car far cheaper to clear than a 2.0-litre one. Cars for Beira, Nampula or Nacala that land at Maputo travel north by road, which adds cost.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Mozambique?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No age restriction; Intertek/MOZ number process is commonly required; RHD allowed except certain special vehicles.
- Inspection
- Intertek inspection / MOZ number
- Entry ports
- Maputo
How do you import a car from Japan to Mozambique, step by step?
Check engine size before buying
Customs duty is 25% up to 1,500 cc and 40% above, so engine size is the biggest tax lever. There is no age limit and the car should be right-hand drive.
Get a NUIT tax number
Imports in Mozambique are declared under the importer's tax identification number (NUIT) issued by the Autoridade Tributária. Register before shipping.
Buy the car and get the Japanese export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. The invoice should show the engine and chassis numbers.
Book the Intertek pre-shipment inspection
Intertek inspects the car in Japan before it ships, sets a value for customs purposes and issues the inspection documents needed for clearance. The exporter pays the fee of USD 265 plus local tax.
Ship the car from Japan to Maputo
Most cars travel on RoRo vessels to the Port of Maputo. The shipping line issues the bill of lading for the customs entry.
Lodge the customs declaration and pay the taxes
A licensed customs broker lodges the declaration with the Autoridade Tributária, which assesses customs duty, ICE and VAT on the value Intertek has established.
Release from the port and register the car
After payment and port charges the car is released. It is then registered with the land transport authority, which issues Mozambican number plates and a registration document.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice showing engine and chassis numbers
- Japanese export certificate with translation
- Intertek pre-shipment inspection certificate
- Original bill of lading
- Importer's tax identification number (NUIT)
- Customs declaration lodged by a licensed customs broker
- Proof of payment of duty, ICE and VAT
- Vehicle registration application
What import duties and taxes does Mozambique charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty (engine cc) | 25%–40% by engine size | CIF value |
| Excise (ICE) | 3% | CIF + import duty |
| VAT (IVA) | 16% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs duty (engine cc)
Rate: 25% up to 1,500 cc; 40% above 1,500 cc. Charged on: CIF value.
Excise (ICE)
Rate: 3%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
VAT (IVA)
Rate: 16%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Customs duty is charged on the CIF value: 25% for engines up to 1,500 cc and 40% above. The specific consumption tax (Imposto sobre Consumos Específicos, ICE) is 3% of CIF plus customs duty. VAT (IVA) at the standard rate of 16% is then charged on CIF plus duty plus ICE. The customs value is the one Intertek determines during the pre-shipment inspection, rather than the invoice price alone. If a car arrives without inspection, a fine equal to 10% of that CIF value is added to the inspection fee at destination, under Ministerial Diploma 244/2011. Port, clearing and inland delivery charges are separate from these taxes.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Mozambique?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Maputo | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Vitz 1.3 L | US$4,470 | US$6,100 | US$3,01049% of CIF | MZN 643,000 – 695,000US$10,100 – US$10,900 |
| 2015 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5 L | US$5,420 | US$7,400 | US$3,65049% of CIF | MZN 766,000 – 824,000US$12,000 – US$12,900 |
| 2018 Toyota Hilux 2.4 L diesel | US$26,500 | US$28,800 | US$19,40067% of CIF | MZN 3,140,000 – 3,200,000US$49,200 – US$50,200 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Maputo. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
This market taxes by engine size, age or fuel. Enter all three for a tighter figure.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maputo | RoRo or container | 29–36 | US$1,600 |
Maputo is the main port for cars from Japan; buyers in the north face a long road haul from there.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Mozambique?
- Models and prices
Toyota Vitz
A 1.0 or 1.3-litre hatchback in the 25% duty band. It is cheap to run in Maputo traffic.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Fielder
A 1.5-litre estate whose 1,496 cc engine stays in the 25% duty band, with space for family use.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A 1.3 or 1.5-litre hatchback, also sold as a hybrid, that stays under the 1,500 cc duty threshold.
- Models and prices
Toyota Hilux
A pickup used for business and rural roads. Its 2.4-litre diesel falls in the 40% duty band.
- Models and prices
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
A body-on-frame SUV used outside the cities. Its large engine pays the 40% duty rate.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Mozambique?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maputo | Maputo | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Beira | Maputo | US$480 | US$600 | 3 |
| Nampula | Maputo | US$830 | US$1,040 | 5 |
| Nacala | Maputo | US$900 | US$1,120 | 7 |
| Tete | Maputo | US$680 | US$850 | 5 |
| Matola | Maputo | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
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 for importing a car to Mozambique?
- No. Mozambique does not restrict the age of imported used cars. Tax depends on engine size and value, not age.
- How much is duty on a car from Japan to Mozambique?
- Customs duty is 25% of CIF up to 1,500 cc and 40% above, plus 3% ICE and 16% VAT. In total about 49% of CIF for a small car and 67% for a larger one.
- Is Intertek inspection compulsory for Mozambique?
- Yes. Every used vehicle must pass Intertek pre-shipment inspection under Ministerial Diploma 244/2011. Without it the car is inspected on arrival and fined 10% of its CIF value.
- How much does the Intertek inspection cost?
- USD 265 plus local tax per vehicle, paid by the exporter. Skipping it costs more: the same fee at destination plus a 10% of CIF fine.
- Why does 1,500 cc matter for car imports to Mozambique?
- Customs duty rises from 25% to 40% above 1,500 cc. A car with a 1,496 cc engine pays the lower rate; a 1.8-litre car pays the higher one.
- Which port do cars from Japan arrive at in Mozambique?
- Mostly Maputo. Shipping takes about 29 to 36 days at sea, then port clearance and any inland delivery.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to Mozambique?
- Generally no. Mozambique drives on the left and ordinary imports are right-hand drive. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive and meet the rule as built.
- Who values the car for customs in Mozambique?
- Intertek sets a value for customs purposes during the pre-shipment inspection, and the Autoridade Tributária assesses the taxes on it.
Sources
- Intertek — Pre-shipment inspection for exports to Mozambique (used vehicles) — checked 15 October 2026
- Autoridade Tributária de Moçambique — checked 15 October 2026
- Port of Maputo — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Mozambique, Other taxes (VAT) — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Mozambique
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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.