Cost to import a car from Japan to Zambia

How to import a car from Japan to Zambia

1. Choose a right-hand-drive car

   Tell us your budget and city. Zambia is right-hand drive with no strict age cap, so we can source older cars too — but note that anything over 5 years triggers the Motor Vehicle Surtax, which we factor into your landed-cost quote.

2. We source it at Japan auction

   Using our licensed USS auction access, our team finds the exact car, reads the auction sheet and condition grade, and confirms its real mechanical state before you commit a single dollar.

3. JEVIC pre-shipment inspection in Japan

   JEVIC inspection is mandatory before a car leaves Japan for Zambia. We arrange it in Japan and keep the certificate with your import documents for customs clearance.

4. Ocean freight to Dar es Salaam

   The car sails to the Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Zambia's main sea gateway. We share the sailing schedule and tracking link once booked.

5. Duty and clearing at Lusaka ICD

   From Dar es Salaam the car transits roughly 1,860 km by road to Lusaka ICD, where we pay the ZRA lump-sum duty, Carbon Emission Surtax, and any Motor Vehicle Surtax, then clear the car for delivery.

6. RTSA fitness certificate and delivery

   On arrival the car is presented to RTSA for a fitness certificate, then delivered to you in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola or wherever you are at the price we quoted.

Import duties & taxes in Zambia explained

Zambia uses a Specific Duty Rates schedule rather than simple percentages: the ZRA publishes fixed Kwacha lump sums that bundle together roughly 25% customs duty, 20–30% excise duty (by engine cc), 16% VAT, a motor vehicle fee, and an ASYCUDA processing fee. For a used 1,001–1,500cc sedan over 5 years, the published lump-sum is K29,491.36 — but that figure is re-denominated periodically. On top of that lump sum, vehicles over 5 years old pay a 20% Motor Vehicle Surtax on CIF, and a Carbon Emission Surtax of K123.20–K484 is added by engine cc. Because the Kwacha exchange rate and ZRA schedule both move, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Zambia

• Toyota Corolla Axio

  The standard family sedan in Zambia — parts are everywhere in Lusaka, resale is strong, and the frugal 1.5L engine keeps fuel costs and ZRA duty bands low.

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• Honda Fit

  Compact, practical and available in hybrid or petrol, it does well in Lusaka city traffic and keeps running costs tight for budget-conscious buyers.

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• Mazda Demio

  A nicely finished hatchback at a budget price point — the small engine puts it in the lower excise band, which helps the landed cost.

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• Suzuki Swift

  Light, easy to maintain and with a strong resale market in Lusaka; a safe first import for buyers who want a known quantity.

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• Toyota Probox

  The workhorse of Zambian business — cheap to run, durable on mixed roads, and reliable enough for fleet use across the Copperbelt.

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Shipping cost to major cities in Zambia

• Lusaka — Delivery from the Lusaka ICD to your door adds roughly $50 for a sedan.
• Kitwe — Delivery from the Lusaka ICD to Kitwe adds roughly $130 for a sedan.
• Ndola — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Ndola adds roughly $950 for a sedan.
• Livingstone — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Livingstone adds roughly $1,230 for a sedan.
• Chingola — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Chingola adds roughly $970 for a sedan.
• Kabwe — Delivery from Dar es Salaam to Kabwe adds roughly $1,000 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit for importing cars into Zambia from Japan?

There is no outright age ban, but vehicles over 5 years old from the year of manufacture attract an additional 20% Motor Vehicle Surtax on CIF on top of the ZRA lump-sum duty. We factor this into your landed-cost quote before you commit.

How are import duties calculated in Zambia?

Zambia Revenue Authority uses a Specific Duty Rates schedule: fixed Kwacha lump sums that bundle customs duty (~25%), excise by engine cc, 16% VAT, a motor vehicle fee, and an ASYCUDA fee into one figure. A Carbon Emission Surtax is added separately. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Which port does my Japanese car enter through for Zambia?

Zambia is landlocked, so cars land at the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and then travel roughly 1,860 km by road to Lusaka ICD for customs clearance.

Is JEVIC inspection required to import a car from Japan to Zambia?

Yes. JEVIC pre-shipment inspection must be completed in Japan before the car is shipped. We arrange this as part of our process, and the certificate travels with the car for customs clearance at Lusaka.

How long does it take to get a car from Japan to Zambia?

Ocean transit from Japan to Dar es Salaam typically takes several weeks, followed by road transit to Lusaka ICD and customs clearance. Our team gives you the exact sailing schedule and an estimated delivery window once the car is booked.

Other import-cost guides

• Zimbabwe
• Malawi
• South Africa