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Complete Guide to Japanese Car Imports

Step-by-step instructions, country-specific regulations, and expert advice from professionals who've exported over 10,000 vehicles worldwide.

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Updated 2026
50+ Countries
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FAQs Answered

15+

Years Experience

Featured Guides

Beginner 8-12 weeks

Complete Import Process Overview

End-to-end overview of the Japanese car import process from selection to delivery

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Intermediate 10-12 weeks

How to Import to Tanzania

Complete guide to importing Japanese used cars to Tanzania including customs, TRA registration, and costs

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186 views
Intermediate 8-10 weeks

How to Import to Kenya

Complete guide to importing to Kenya with KEBS inspection, IDF requirements, and Mombasa port procedures

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160 views

Country Import Regulations

Comprehensive, country-specific import guides with step-by-step procedures, documentation requirements, and cost breakdowns

Step-by-Step Process Required Documents Cost Breakdown
Quick search examples: "Tanzania", "TZ", "Dar es Salaam", "8 years", "Mombasa"
Showing 25 country regulations. Use search above to filter.
Featured
Tanzania flag

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam
Year Limit
8 years from manufacture (standard rates)
Shipping
10-12 weeks
Import Duty
25% of CIF (EAC CET, passenger cars) ~47.5%
Inspection Required
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Kenya flag

Kenya

Mombasa
Year Limit
Max 8 years from first registration (2019+ in 2026)
Shipping
8-10 weeks
Import Duty
25% of customs value (CIF / CRSP method) — KRA ~55.0%
Inspection Required
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Uganda flag

Uganda

Mombasa (then Kampala)
Year Limit
Maximum 15 years from manufacture
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
25% of CIF (EAC CET, passenger cars) ~50.0%
Inspection Required
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Zambia flag

Zambia

Durban or Dar es Salaam (inland to Zambia)
Year Limit
No hard age ban (duty depends on age)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
ZRA specific duty (age + body + engine) or ad valorem if under 2 years / hybrid
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
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Bangladesh flag

Bangladesh

Chittagong (Chattogram)
Year Limit
Maximum 5 years from manufacture
Shipping
6-8 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty plus high supplementary duty by CC (NBR slabs)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
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Mozambique flag

Mozambique

Maputo
Year Limit
No hard age ban (higher tax if over 7 years)
Shipping
8-11 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty by type/CC (commonly ~25–40% CIF for passenger cars — confirm AT)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
Malawi flag

Malawi

Dar es Salaam or Beira (inland to Malawi)
Year Limit
No general age limit
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty on CIF (often 25% on passenger cars — confirm MRA)
View Full Guide
Zimbabwe flag

Zimbabwe

Durban (then Beitbridge) or Dar es Salaam
Year Limit
Under 10 years from manufacture (general ban at 10+)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty on ZIMRA value (schedule rates — confirm current)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
Botswana flag

Botswana

Durban (then Pioneer Gate / Tlokweng)
Year Limit
No general age ban (BURS duty on value/engine)
Shipping
9-13 weeks
Import Duty
BURS customs duty on customs value (confirm current schedule)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
South Africa flag

South Africa

Durban
Year Limit
Used imports generally prohibited (ITAC permit only)
Shipping
8-12 weeks (only if ITAC already approved)
Import Duty
SARS customs duty on the tariff (only after a legal import)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
Namibia flag

Namibia

Walvis Bay
Year Limit
Used imports restricted (permit / returning resident style rules)
Shipping
9-13 weeks
Import Duty
NamRA / SACU duty (confirm current)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide
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Pakistan flag

Pakistan

Karachi (Keamari / Port Qasim)
Year Limit
Commercial used: under 5 years (until 30 Jun 2026 policy)
Shipping
7-10 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty + regulatory duty (SRO 1898(I)/2025: extra 40% RD on commercial used until 30 Jun 2026)
Inspection Required
View Full Guide

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Browse by Topic

Organized guides covering every aspect of the import process

Getting Started

Essential information for first-time importers

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Documentation

Required documents and paperwork

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Shipping & Logistics

Shipping methods and customs clearance

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Costs & Payment

Understanding total costs and payment methods

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Country Guides

Country-specific import regulations and processes

2 guides Explore

Vehicle Selection

Choosing the right vehicle for your market

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Import Process Timeline

Typical timeline from order to delivery (8-12 weeks total)

1

Vehicle Selection & Purchase

Week 1-2

Choose vehicle, verify auction sheet, confirm price, make payment

Cost: Vehicle price + auction fees
2

Export Preparation

Week 2-3

Export certificate, deregistration, transport to port, loading

Cost: $200-400
3

Ocean Shipping

Week 4-9

RORO or container shipping to destination port (35-45 days)

Cost: $850-1,300
4

Customs Clearance

Week 9-11

Import duty, VAT, port charges, clearing agent, inspection

Cost: Varies by country (typically 50-60% of CIF)
5

Registration & Delivery

Week 11-12

Vehicle inspection, registration, number plates, insurance, delivery

Cost: $300-600
Total Timeline: 8-12 weeks from order to driving your vehicle!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common import questions

Tip: Type keywords like "cost", "time", "documents", or country name to find relevant FAQs

The complete import process typically takes 8-12 weeks from purchase to delivery. This includes: vehicle selection (1-2 weeks), shipping (4-6 weeks), customs clearance (1-2 weeks), and registration (1-2 weeks). Timing may vary based on destination country and port.
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Total cost is approximately 2x the FOB price. For example, a $5,000 FOB vehicle will cost around $10,000-11,000 total including shipping ($850-1,300), duties (25-35%), VAT (16-18%), port charges ($200-400), and registration fees ($300-600).
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We accept bank transfer (TT), PayPal, and wire transfer. Full payment is required before shipment. We can also arrange payment plans for established customers.
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Tanzania typically allows vehicles up to 8 years old from year of first registration. Always verify current regulations before purchase as rules may change.
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Kenya strictly enforces an 8-year age limit from first registration date. Additionally, IDF (Import Declaration Form) must be obtained before shipping. Age verification is strict and vehicles exceeding this limit will be rejected.
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RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) is cheaper ($850-1,100) but vehicle must run and drive. Container shipping ($2,000-2,800) protects vehicle better and allows non-running vehicles. RORO is recommended for most imports unless vehicle cannot run or requires extra protection.
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