How do you import a car from Japan to Senegal, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Senegal (WAEMU) charges 20% customs duty, ~2.5% in community levies and 18% VAT — roughly 45-50% of CIF. The age limit was raised to 10 years in Oct 2025. It drives on the right (RHD restriction).
Car import duty calculator for Senegal
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Senegal we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
Senegal uses left-hand-drive vehicles and enforces an approximate 8-year age cap on used car imports, which narrows the eligible Japanese stock to newer models. The port of Dakar is the main arrival point — it also serves as the transit gateway for landlocked Mali — and is well-connected to the Japanese vehicle shipping network. Duty, VAT and emissions or registration checks all apply on arrival, and the exact tax stack requires confirmation with a local customs broker because Senegal applies its own valuation and classification rules.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Senegal?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Used passenger cars must be under 10 years old (raised from 8 to 10 by decree in Oct 2025). Senegal drives on the right (LHD); RHD Japanese cars face a steering restriction.
- Restrictions
- Senegal drives on the right; RHD Japanese cars may not be registrable.
- Entry ports
- Port of Dakar
How do you import a car from Japan to Senegal, step by step?
Check the import rules
Used passenger cars must be under 10 years old (raised from 8 to 10 by decree in Oct 2025). Senegal drives on the right (LHD); RHD Japanese cars face a steering restriction. Senegal requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
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 Senegal.
Ship to Port of Dakar
Cars from Japan arrive at Port of Dakar. Sea transit is about 30–45 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 Customs duty, Statistical & community levies and VAT; 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 Senegal's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Senegal charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs duty (WAEMU CET) | 20% | CIF value |
| Statistical & community levies | 2.5% | CIF value |
| VAT (TVA) | 18% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs duty (WAEMU CET)
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF value.
Statistical & community levies
Rate: 2.5%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (TVA)
Rate: 18%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Senegal applies customs duty and VAT on the CIF value of the imported vehicle, alongside emissions and local registration fees.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Senegal?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Dakar | RoRo or container | 30–45 | US$1,700 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Senegal?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Senegal?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakar | Port of Dakar | US$80 | US$110 | 1 |
| Thiès | Port of Dakar | US$150 | US$200 | 1 |
| Touba | Port of Dakar | US$300 | US$380 | 2 |
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 from Japan to Senegal?
- Senegal enforces an approximate 8-year age cap on used vehicle imports — around 2018 or newer in 2026.
- Does Senegal allow right-hand-drive Japanese cars?
- Senegal is a left-hand-drive market, so standard Japanese domestic RHD vehicles are not well-suited for normal registration.
- What duty and tax will I pay to import a car to Senegal?
- Customs duty, VAT and local registration fees apply on the imported value — the exact figures depend on your car's age, engine and classification.
Car import duty calculator for Senegal
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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.