Tanzania has no age ban on imported used cars, but older cars pay extra age-based excise duty, and every car from Japan needs a TBS pre-shipment inspection (done in Japan by EAA). You then clear the car at Dar es Salaam through a licensed clearing agent and register it with TRA.
Key takeaways
- No age ban: you can import an older car, but cars more than 8 years old pay extra excise duty, in age bands reorganised by the Finance Act 2026.
- A pre-shipment roadworthiness inspection is required by TBS. In Japan it is carried out by EAA Co., Ltd.
- Duty and taxes are set by TRA. Use TRA’s used-vehicle calculator or ask your clearing agent before you buy.
- Our Dar es Salaam sales office and document centre can help, but never take cash or payments.
1. Understand the age rule: no ban, but older cars cost more
Tanzania does not ban used cars by age. Instead, older cars pay additional excise duty that rises with age.
The Finance Act 2026, in force from 1 July 2026, reorganised the age bands. The extra charge now applies in three bands: cars more than 8 years old up to 10 years, more than 10 years up to 20 years, and a new band for cars more than 20 years old. We don’t quote the rates, because they are set by law and can change.
The text we checked does not say exactly how the age is counted (for example, from manufacture or first registration). If your car is close to a band boundary, ask TRA or your clearing agent before you pay for it.
In practice, a younger car avoids the extra charge or falls into a lower band, so compare the total landed cost, not just the price in Japan.
2. Choose the right car
Choose a right-hand-drive car that suits Tanzanian roads and has easy-to-find parts. Tanzania drives on the left and right-hand-drive cars are the norm.
Popular Japanese choices in Tanzania include the Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado and Corolla, the Nissan X-Trail and March, the Mitsubishi Pajero and the Suzuki Swift. You can read more in our Toyota car guides and the Mitsubishi Pajero generations guide.
Before you decide, read the car’s auction sheet to see its grade, mileage and any repairs. Our auction sheet guide explains the codes.
You can browse our current stock and ask our Dar es Salaam office to confirm the exact date of manufacture and first registration of any car you like.
3. Pay safely
Pay only by bank transfer to an account in Japan in the name of “Autocom Japan Inc.”. Autocom sells for full payment only.
The official list of our accounts is on our bank accounts page. Our offices in Tanzania do not accept cash or any payment, and staff never make transfers for you. If an invoice names any other beneficiary, do not pay it and contact us. See how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan.
4. Pre-shipment inspection (TBS, done by EAA in Japan)
Every used car for Tanzania must pass a pre-shipment roadworthiness inspection under the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) PVoC programme. In Japan, the inspection is done by EAA Co., Ltd., which TBS has appointed for vehicles from Japan since 20 July 2022.
A car that passes gets a Certificate of Roadworthiness, which you need for clearance. When you buy from us, the inspection is arranged in Japan before the car is shipped.
5. Shipping to Dar es Salaam
Cars for Tanzania are shipped to the Port of Dar es Salaam, usually by Ro-Ro, or in a container if you want extra protection or are shipping more than one car. See Ro-Ro vs container shipping.
Sailing times depend on the vessel schedule, so ask our office for the current schedule for Dar es Salaam. Your sales representative confirms the ship and expected arrival once your car is booked.
Check whether your price is FOB, C&F or CIF, so you know if sea freight and insurance are included. See FOB, C&F and CIF explained.
6. Prepare your documents
Your clearing agent needs a full set of documents before the car arrives:
- Original bill of lading from the shipping line.
- Commercial invoice from the exporter.
- Japanese Export Certificate with an English translation. See the Japan Export Certificate explained.
- Inspection certificate (Certificate of Roadworthiness) from the TBS-appointed inspector.
- TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) from TRA.
Our Dar es Salaam document centre can tell you how and when your originals will arrive. For a full explanation of each paper, read documents to clear a Japanese car at Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
Documents checklist
7. Clearing the car at Dar es Salaam
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration in TRA’s customs system (TANCIS), TRA assesses duty and taxes, you pay them, and the car is released.
- What changes the amount. TRA values the car and charges duty and taxes that depend on its value, engine size and age, plus the age-based excise described above. Rates change, so we don’t quote them.
- Estimate first. TRA has an official used motor vehicle valuation calculator. Use it, or ask your clearing agent, before you pay for the car.
- Other charges. Port handling, shipping-line charges and the agent’s fee are separate from government taxes.
It helps to think of the landed cost in three parts: our price (the car plus shipping to your port), which is the only part we control; the duty and taxes your government charges; and clearing charges at the port, plus transport home. Our landed cost checklist lists every item.
8. Register the car
After clearance, the car is registered with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), which issues the registration and number plates. Your clearing agent can usually start this for you.
Arrange motor insurance before you drive, and keep copies of all documents. See our guide on registering a Japanese import in Africa.
9. Get help from our Dar es Salaam office
Autocom Japan has a sales office and a document centre in Dar es Salaam, backed by our head office in Yokohama.
- Sales office: off Mlimani City Mall, University Road – WhatsApp +255 745 655 555
- Document centre: Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Towers
Details are on our Tanzania page. For all Tanzania rules in one place, visit the Tanzania import rules hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit for cars imported into Tanzania?
No, there is no age ban. Cars more than 8 years old pay additional excise duty, which rises with age in bands set by the Finance Act 2026.
Who inspects cars for Tanzania in Japan?
EAA Co., Ltd., appointed by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS). Older articles that name a different company are out of date.
How can I estimate the duty before I buy?
Use TRA’s used motor vehicle valuation calculator on the TRA taxpayer portal, or ask a licensed clearing agent. Do this before you pay for the car.
Can I pay at your Dar es Salaam office?
No. Our offices never accept cash or any payment. Pay only by bank transfer to an account in Japan in the name of “Autocom Japan Inc.”.
Can I import a left-hand-drive car?
Tanzania drives on the left and right-hand-drive cars are the norm. If you are thinking of a left-hand-drive car, check with TRA or your clearing agent first.
Sources
- Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- TRA: Used motor vehicle valuation calculator (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- EAA Co., Ltd.: Services (accessed 1 Oct 2026)
- EAA Co., Ltd.: TBS notice on inspection scope (Jan 2026)
- Clyde & Co: Tanzania tax update – Finance Act 2026 highlights (3 Jul 2026)
