Tanzania.
Import with clarity.

Tanzania is one of East Africa's leading markets for imported Japanese vehicles. Japanese cars are highly regarded for their reliability, fuel efficiency, affordability, and availability of spare parts.

Before importing a vehicle from Japan, it is important to understand Tanzania's customs regulations, inspection requirements, taxes, and registration procedures.

Yes. Individuals and businesses may legally import new and used vehicles from Japan into Tanzania, provided they comply with the requirements of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).

Yes. Japanese vehicles dominate Tanzania's used vehicle market due to their durability and low maintenance costs. Popular brands include:

• Toyota
• Nissan
• Honda
• Mazda
• Mitsubishi
• Suzuki
• Isuzu
• Subaru Popular models include:
• Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
• Toyota Harrier
• Toyota RAV4
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Hilux
• Toyota HiAce
• Nissan X-Trail
• Isuzu Elf

There is no official maximum age limit for importing used vehicles into Tanzania. However:

• Vehicles 8 years old or older (calculated from the year of manufacture) are subject to additional excise duty.
• Older vehicles may become significantly more expensive due to these additional taxes.

Tanzania drives on the left-hand side of the road, and Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles imported from Japan are permitted and are the standard choice for the local market.

Used vehicles exported from Japan must undergo Pre-Shipment Verification of Conformity (PVoC) before shipment. The inspection generally includes:

• Roadworthiness
• Mechanical condition
• Safety equipment
• Vehicle identification verification
• Emissions compliance
• General conformity with Tanzanian standards As of January 2026, TBS also requires used motor vehicle spare parts, used bicycles, used mobile machinery, and used trailers originating from Japan to undergo pre-shipment inspection in Japan under the PVoC programme.

Importers generally need:

• Original Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Japanese Export Certificate
• Inspection Certificate (PVoC/JAAI or authorised inspection agency)
• Packing List
• Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• Customs Declaration (TANCIS)
• Proof of payment
• Insurance documents
• Import Permit (where applicable) Additional documents may be required depending on the type of vehicle and importer.

Vehicle imports are generally subject to:

• Import Duty
• Excise Duty
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Customs Processing Fee
• Railway Development Levy
• Port handling and customs clearance charges Taxes are calculated primarily on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value and may vary depending on:
• Engine capacity
• Vehicle category
• Vehicle age
• Customs valuation Vehicles over eight years old attract additional excise duty.

Common export ports include:

• Yokohama
• Kobe
• Nagoya
• Osaka Vehicles are typically shipped to:

After customs clearance, the importer must:

• Pay all applicable duties and taxes
• Complete customs clearance through TANCIS
• Obtain TBS conformity approval (where applicable)
• Register the vehicle with the relevant licensing authorities
• Obtain registration number plates
• Arrange compulsory motor vehicle insurance before using the vehicle on public roads

• Choose vehicles less than eight years old to reduce excise duty.
• Verify the Japanese auction inspection sheet and maintenance history.
• Ensure the vehicle passes the required pre-shipment inspection.
• Confirm the estimated import taxes before shipping.
• Purchase only from a reputable Japanese exporter with export experience to Tanzania.

360 Moto offers a complete export solution for customers importing vehicles from Japan to Tanzania, including:

• Access to thousands of Japanese auction vehicles
• Cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles
• Professional auction bidding services
• Independent vehicle inspections
• Pre-shipment inspection assistance
• Export documentation
• International shipping arrangements
• Customs documentation support
• Personal Buying Agent service
• Secure international payment assistance
• End-to-end customer support from purchase to delivery

This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, customs, tax, or import advice. Tanzania's import regulations, customs duties, taxes, inspection requirements, and vehicle registration procedures may change without prior notice.

Buyers are responsible for confirming the latest import requirements with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), and other relevant government authorities before purchasing or importing any vehicle.

While 360 Moto strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee that all regulations, duty rates, or procedures remain unchanged at the time of import.