Importing used cars from Japan to Namibia is a very straightforward process. However, there are important, specific requirements that you need to consider. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know if you want to buy a used Japanese car and import it to Namibia.

What vehicles are eligible?

·      In order to import a Japanese vehicle in Namibia, it needs to be less than 12 years old.

·      Also, only the right hand drive vehicles can be imported. Left hand drive vehicles are banned, the only exception would be diplomats.

·      Once you important the vehicle to Namibia, you can’t sell it for 24 months after the importing process is over.

·      The importer of the vehicle needs to be the owner for at least 12 months before the import process takes place.

·      Vehicles are not allowed on a work permit, you need to have a residence permit to import vehicles.

Are there any taxes and duties you need to pay?

You usually have to pay taxes for importing a Japanese vehicle to Namibia. There are exceptions when you can import a single used car duty-free. But you will need to own the vehicle for 12 months before shipping it. Otherwise, you have to pay the following duties:

·      Customs duty will vary, but it’s anywhere from 15% to 30% of the vehicle value

·      Additionally, you will need to pay Value-Added Tax or VAT, which in this case is 16.5%

What documents are needed to import a Japanese vehicle in Namibia?

When importing a Japanese vehicle, your focus is to ensure that you have proof of ownership. There are specific requirements as you will notice below, and these include:

·      You need a copy of your passport

·      The commercial invoice is required

·      You have to provide the vehicle registration papers

·      The import permit is mandatory

·      A customs declaration form, CA304A, is necessary

·      Lastly, you will need a bill of landing, which has the year of manufacture, model, brand, as well as chassis number

Customs procedure

Namibia has certain specifics when it comes to the customs procedures. Starting with the 1^st of March 2023, they are not allowing self-driven imports. It means all vehicles need to be transported using a car carrier trailer.

Also, you will need to get CA304A form approval and customs clearance before you receive license plates and registration.

Other things to consider

·      If you’re importing a vehicle from Japan, you will need to get an import permit before the importing process starts. That’s because any vehicle without a valid permit won’t get accepted into Namibia.

·      Also, the vehicle details need to be consistent across all the documents. That means the engine and chassis numbers, along with year of manufacture, they need to match the info found on the vehicle.

·      If a vehicle is transiting Namibia and it gets imported into other countries, it needs to be transported via a carrier trailer.

It’s very important to know all the necessary info before you are importing any used car from Japan to Namibia. Since Namibia is very strict when it comes to requirements, it’s crucial to follow these requirements, as it will make the car importing process much easier.