TANZANIA - EIGHTGOLD CO., LTD. New & Used Japanese Car Dealer

Japan Used Car Import Guide – Tanzania

General Import Conditions

Age Limit

There is no official age restriction on used vehicle imports. However, vehicles older than 8 years from the date of manufacture are subject to higher excise duties and additional fees.

Pre-shipment Inspection

Required before export. Japan exports must be inspected by an approved agency such as EAA,JAAI, JEVIC, or QISJ under the Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program.

Documents Required

• Export Certificate
• Bill of Lading (B/L)
• Commercial or Proforma Invoice
• Inspection Certificate
• Import Permit / TIN (Tax Identification Number)
• Certificate of Roadworthiness (if required)

Emission & Safety Standards

Vehicles must comply with Tanzanian Bureau of Standards (TBS) regulations regarding safety and emissions. Older vehicles may require additional testing.

Import Taxes and Duties

When importing to Tanzania, taxes are calculated baased on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).

Import Duty

25% of CIF value

Value Added Tax (VAT)

18–20% of CIF value

Excise Duty

Based on engine capacity:

• Under 1,000 cc – 0%
• 1,001–2,000 cc – ~5%
• Above 2,000 cc – ~10%

Additional Excise / Age Penalty

Vehicles over 8 years old may face extra excise or penalty duties (sometimes referred to as “dumping fees”).

Railway Development Levy

About 1.5% of CIF value

Registration & Road License

Payable after customs clearance (varies by vehicle type)

Important Notes and Risks

• Vehicles older than 8 years are not banned, but importers must pay additional taxes.
• Be cautious with unofficial terms like “dumping fee” — the correct legal term is usually “additional excise duty” or “age penalty.”
• Failure to provide inspection or conformity documents can result in delays, fines, or rejection at customs.
• Total landed cost (vehicle price + shipping + all duties) can reach 60–65% of CIF for vehicles over 2000cc.
• Policies and rates are subject to change — always confirm with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) before shipment.

Key Agencies

TRA (Tanzania Revenue Authority) – Customs, import duty & tax regulation
https://www.tra.go.tz
TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards) – Vehicle inspection, PVoC, quality compliance
https://www.tbs.go.tz
Approved Inspection Bodies (Japan): JAAI, JEVIC, QISJ

In Summary

You can import used cars of any age, but older cars cost more to clear.
Taxes: Import Duty (25%) + VAT (20%) + Excise (0–10%) + Age Penalty if applicable.
Pre-shipment inspection is mandatory.
Always verify with TRA/TBS for current regulations before shipping.