Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Tanzania?

There is no outright ban, but Tanzania levies a stiff age surcharge — 10% of CIF for cars 5-7 years old, 15% for 8-10 years, and 30% for cars over ten years. A newer car often ends up cheaper in total once taxes are counted.

Does Tanzania require right-hand drive?

Yes. Tanzania drives on the left, so RHD is the norm and what we source for you. Japan's auction stock is almost entirely RHD, which makes it an ideal supply market.

What taxes do I pay when importing a car from Japan to Tanzania?

25% import duty, excise duty by engine size (0-10%), an age surcharge (10-30% by car age), 18% VAT and a 1.5% Railway Development Levy. The exact total depends on the specific car — we price it before you commit.

How long does shipping from Japan to Dar es Salaam take?

Sea freight to the Port of Dar es Salaam generally takes several weeks from Japan. We give you the exact sailing schedule and tracking once the car is booked onto a vessel.

Do you handle customs clearing at Dar es Salaam?

Yes. Our team values the car, pays all duties and levies, clears it through the Port of Dar es Salaam, and arranges trucking to your city — you do not deal with the port yourself.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Tanzania

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Tanzania is one of the most active used-Japanese-car markets in East Africa. The country is right-hand drive, which means Japan's entire auction stock is a natural fit, and Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Mazda are widely serviced across Dar es Salaam, Arusha and beyond. The main port of entry is Dar es Salaam, and goods from there reach every major city by truck. There is no hard age ban, but Tanzania adds a significant age surcharge on top of standard duty once a car passes five years old — so buying a younger vehicle often saves more in tax than the price difference implies. When you import a car from Japan to Tanzania the tax stack layers quickly: 25% import duty, an excise duty that depends on engine size, an age surcharge of 10-30% of CIF for cars five years old or more, 18% VAT, and the Railway Development Levy. Our licensed team works out the total cost against your specific car before you commit, sources it at Japanese auction, arranges JEVIC or JAAI pre-shipment inspection, and handles the ocean freight, customs clearing and inland delivery in one managed process.

Main ports: Port of Dar es Salaam
Import age rule: No hard ban; punitive age excise for 8+ years.
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: Import Duty 25% + Excise (0–10% by engine cc) + a heavy age surcharge (10–30% of CIF for 5+ year cars) + VAT 18% + Railway Dev Levy 1.5%.

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Tanzania

Pick an age-smart, RHD-compliant car
Tell us your budget and city. We recommend right-hand-drive cars ideally under five years old, because Tanzania's age surcharge adds 10-30% of CIF on top of standard duty for older vehicles — a younger car often saves more on tax than its higher auction price costs.
We source it at Japan's auctions
Using our licensed USS auction membership, our team identifies the car, reads the auction sheet and condition grade, and confirms its real state before anyone commits money.
Pre-shipment inspection in Japan
Tanzania requires a JEVIC or JAAI roadworthiness inspection before the car leaves Japan. We arrange it, retain the certificate, and include it in the shipping documents.
Ocean freight to Dar es Salaam
The car is booked onto a vessel bound for the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's main deep-water gateway. We send you the sailing schedule and a tracking link once it is loaded.
Customs duty and clearing
On arrival our team handles customs valuation, pays the import duty, age surcharge, excise, VAT and Railway Development Levy, then clears the car through the port — you do not deal with the port yourself.
Inland delivery to your city
After clearing, the car is trucked from Dar es Salaam to Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, Mbeya, Zanzibar or wherever you are, at a price we quote before you pay.

Import duties & taxes in Tanzania explained

Tanzania's tax structure for imported cars is layered and age-sensitive. You first pay 25% import duty on the customs (CIF) value. On top of that sits an excise duty by engine size — 0% under 1000cc, 5% at 1000-2000cc, and 10% above 2000cc. Then an age surcharge kicks in: 10% of CIF for cars five to seven years old, 15% for eight to ten years, and 30% for cars older than ten years. After those, 18% VAT is applied to the cumulative base, plus a 1.5% Railway Development Levy. The combined burden for a mid-aged, mid-size car can be substantial, which is why choosing a newer or smaller-engine vehicle often materially reduces the bill. Because customs valuations depend on the specific car and year, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Tanzania

Toyota Corolla Axio
The most trusted family car in Tanzania — conservative, RHD, frugal 1.5L engines, and the cheapest parts and resale on the market.
See prices
Toyota Probox
A rugged, flat-load wagon that handles Tanzania's mixed roads well and is the go-to vehicle for traders, fleet operators and small businesses.
See prices
Honda Fit
A compact hatchback with hybrid and petrol options that keeps fuel costs low in stop-start Dar es Salaam traffic, and has a practical cabin for its size.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A budget hatchback with a well-finished interior for the price, and a small engine that sits in the lowest excise duty band.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and easy to sell — the low purchase price and tiny engine make it one of the cheapest imports to clear through Tanzanian customs.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $100.
Zanzibar — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar adds roughly $170 for a sedan.
Arusha — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Arusha adds roughly $280 for a sedan.
Dodoma — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma adds roughly $350 for a sedan.
Mwanza — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza adds roughly $420 for a sedan.
Mbeya — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya adds roughly $510 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Tanzania?: There is no outright ban, but Tanzania levies a stiff age surcharge — 10% of CIF for cars 5-7 years old, 15% for 8-10 years, and 30% for cars over ten years. A newer car often ends up cheaper in total once taxes are counted.
Does Tanzania require right-hand drive?: Yes. Tanzania drives on the left, so RHD is the norm and what we source for you. Japan's auction stock is almost entirely RHD, which makes it an ideal supply market.
What taxes do I pay when importing a car from Japan to Tanzania?: 25% import duty, excise duty by engine size (0-10%), an age surcharge (10-30% by car age), 18% VAT and a 1.5% Railway Development Levy. The exact total depends on the specific car — we price it before you commit.
How long does shipping from Japan to Dar es Salaam take?: Sea freight to the Port of Dar es Salaam generally takes several weeks from Japan. We give you the exact sailing schedule and tracking once the car is booked onto a vessel.
Do you handle customs clearing at Dar es Salaam?: Yes. Our team values the car, pays all duties and levies, clears it through the Port of Dar es Salaam, and arranges trucking to your city — you do not deal with the port yourself.