Zambia has a rather large community of Japanese car enthusiasts. That’s why it’s very common for them to try and import a Japanese used car into the country. Generally, importing any used vehicle is not super difficult in Zambia, but there are regulations that you need to know about. Here are some of the things to consider.

What vehicles are eligible?

When you import a Japanese used car in Zambia, there are specific restrictions that you must know about:

·      You can only import right hand drive vehicles into Zambia. The only exceptions for this rule are fire engine and ambulance vehicles, but vehicles for personal use need to be right hand drive.

·      There is no age restriction when it comes to the age of the used vehicle. That means even older vehicles that are 20-30 years old or more can be imported, provided that you follow the other requirements.

·      All Japanese used cars imported to the country need to be certified by the JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center).

Are there any taxes and duties you need to pay?

Yes, when you import a Japanese vehicle, there are a few import duties and taxes that you need to know about:

·      VAT is collected on behalf of the VAT division, and it’s charged on the taxable value of the vehicle. You have the customs value and customs duty, along with exercise duty where possible. The applicable VAT value is 16%.

·      A carbon emission surtax is charged in Zambia on motor vehicles imported, but also those transiting the country. The annual charge will vary based on the engine capacity, it can be 50000 for engines 1500cc and lower, and it goes up to 200000 for engines 3001 cc or above.

·      Exercise duty is anywhere from 15% to 30%, depending on the engine size.

·      Customs duty in Zambia is 25% to 30% of the car’s CIF value.

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

·      You will be required to share the original certificate of title and registration

·      A valuation certificate is also mandatory

·      You need to have a letter of transfer from the employer of your client

·      A non sale certificate and original bill of lading are requested, too

·      Driver’s license and the international insurance policy are requested

·      You also have to provide the commercial/purchase invoice as well.

Customs procedure

Once you abide the requirements, the customs procedure is very seamless. You must pay the import VAT and the carbon emission surtax, with the latter being dependent on the engine capacity. Also, as expected, you must provide the right documentation.

Other things to consider

·      If a vehicle is older than 5 years, you will be subject to a 20% surtax from the value.

·      Always make sure that the vehicle was inspected in Japan by the JEVIC authority, as it will streamline the import process.

·      Before driving the car on the Zambian roads, you must acquire vehicle insurance.

Importing a Japanese used car to Zambia is not very difficult, although as you can see, there are certain procedures you need to follow. Thankfully, following these is not very difficult, and it’s a process that you can easily streamline.