You can import a used car from Japan to Zimbabwe if it is less than 10 years old from its date of manufacture, has a CBCA Certificate of Conformity, and is cleared through ZIMRA. Since SI 59 of 2026, the same 10-year limit also covers double cabs, twin cabs and light cargo vehicles.
Key takeaways
- Second-hand vehicles aged 10 years or more from the date of manufacture may not be imported (SI 54 of 2024, widened by SI 59 of 2026, gazetted 25 March 2026).
- A car imported in breach of the ban must be re-exported at the owner’s cost within 60 days, or it is forfeited to the State.
- Every used vehicle needs a Certificate of Conformity under the CBCA programme. In Japan, the inspection is done by EAA.
- Duty and taxes are set by ZIMRA. Check them with ZIMRA or a licensed clearing agent before you buy.
1. Check the age rule: under 10 years from manufacture
Zimbabwe bans second-hand vehicles that are 10 years old or older, counted from the date of manufacture. The rule came in with Statutory Instrument (SI) 54 of 2024.
SI 59 of 2026, gazetted on 25 March 2026, amended the rule. The 10-year limit now clearly applies to:
- passenger cars and other vehicles for carrying people
- buses and minibuses (10 or more persons, including the driver)
- double cabs (diesel) and double or twin cabs (petrol)
- light cargo vehicles with a payload of up to 1,400 kg, and other goods vehicles of up to 5 tonnes gross vehicle weight listed in the schedule
Double cabs, twin cabs and light cargo vehicles used to be outside the ban. That has changed, so a 12- or 15-year-old pick-up can no longer be brought in. Read what SI 59 of 2026 means for double cabs for the details.
Age is counted from the date of manufacture, not the model year or the date of first registration in Japan. Allow for the time the car spends being shipped and cleared: a car that is just under 10 years old when you pay can be over the limit when it arrives.
If a vehicle breaks the rule, it must be re-exported by the owner, at their own expense. If it is not re-exported within 60 days, it is forfeited to the State.
Will my car be allowed into Zimbabwe?
2. Check whether an exemption applies
Most buyers are not exempt. SI 59 of 2026 lists these exceptions:
- vehicles from deceased estates (inherited vehicles)
- vehicles belonging to immigrants, as defined in the customs regulations
- vehicles of diplomats returning to Zimbabwe from their postings
- vintage vehicles, as defined in the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act
Returning residents were exempt under SI 172 of 2024 and ZIMRA Public Notice 84 of 2024, but they are not in the list in SI 59 of 2026. If you are a returning resident, confirm your position with ZIMRA before you buy an older car.
Each exemption has its own conditions and paperwork. Get a written answer from ZIMRA before you pay for a vehicle that is 10 years old or more.
For everyone else, start with newer cars. You can browse cars first registered in Japan in 2018 or later, then ask us to confirm the exact date of manufacture before you pay.
3. Choose a right-hand-drive car
Zimbabwe drives on the left, and right-hand drive is the norm. The Bureau Veritas CBCA data sheet says right-hand drive is recommended and left-hand-drive vehicles are not rejected by the inspection. Registration is a separate step, so check with ZIMRA before you buy a left-hand-drive car.
Almost every car in Japan is right-hand drive, so this is rarely a problem with a Japanese car.
4. Get the CBCA Certificate of Conformity
Used vehicles shipped to Zimbabwe need a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) under the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme. The programme is run for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
How it works for a car from Japan:
- The exporter applies for the certificate before shipping.
- In Japan, EAA Co., Ltd. inspects vehicles for Zimbabwe. Bureau Veritas holds a CBCA contract.
- The inspection checks the vehicle’s documents and identity and includes a physical inspection.
- The electronic certificate is sent to the importer, who presents it for customs clearance.
A vehicle shipped without a Certificate of Conformity faces a penalty and an inspection on arrival. Make sure the seller confirms the CBCA inspection is done before the car is loaded.
5. Pay safely
Autocom Japan sells for full payment by bank transfer (T/T) to our accounts in Japan. The beneficiary is always “Autocom Japan Inc.” Our offices in Zimbabwe do not accept cash or any payment.
If anyone sends you an invoice for an account with a different beneficiary, do not pay it. Read how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan, and check the official list of Autocom Japan bank accounts.
6. Prepare the documents for clearance
Your clearing agent will lodge the customs declaration with ZIMRA. Have these ready:
- Bill of lading from the shipping line
- Commercial invoice showing what you paid
- Japanese export certificate, with an English translation (see our export certificate guide)
- CBCA Certificate of Conformity
- Your ID and the tax details your clearing agent asks for
Our import documents checklist lets you tick off each paper before the car arrives.
We do not quote a route or a transit time for Zimbabwe here. Ask our Harare office for the current shipping arrangement and schedule for your car.
7. Understand duty and the landed cost
Duty and taxes are set by the government, not by the exporter. They depend on the vehicle’s value, type, engine size and age, and the rates change, so we do not quote them.
Check the current position with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) or a licensed clearing agent before you choose a car.
Think of the landed cost in three parts: our price (the car and shipping), which is the only part we control; the duty and taxes ZIMRA charges; and clearing, storage and transport charges. Our landed cost checklist lists every item, and FOB, C&F and CIF explained shows what a quoted price includes.
8. Register the car
After customs releases the car, you register it and get number plates and a registration book. Your clearing agent can tell you what the registration office needs.
Our step-by-step guide on registering a Japanese import car in Africa explains the general process.
Popular choices under the 10-year rule
Buyers in Zimbabwe often ask us about double cabs such as the Toyota Hilux; SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, RAV4, Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester; and compact cars such as the Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Nissan Note and Mazda Demio.
Whichever model you pick, check the date of manufacture first and read the auction sheet to understand the car’s condition.
Talk to our Harare offices
Autocom Japan has offices in Harare at Malvern Corner, corner of Selous Avenue and Sam Nujoma Street, and at 18158 Belvedere Road (Ellies Logistics). Our staff can go through a car’s documents and manufacture date with you before you commit.
WhatsApp: +263 77 823 8505. See Autocom Japan in Zimbabwe for full contacts, and our Zimbabwe import rules hub for all our Zimbabwe guides.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import a 10-year-old car into Zimbabwe?
No. Second-hand vehicles aged 10 years or more from the date of manufacture may not be imported unless an exemption applies. Choose a car with time to spare for shipping and clearing.
Can I still import an older double cab?
Not since SI 59 of 2026. Double cabs, twin cabs and light cargo vehicles now fall under the same 10-year limit as passenger cars.
Is the age counted from manufacture or registration?
From the date of manufacture. Ask us to confirm the exact date of manufacture of any car before you pay.
Who arranges the CBCA inspection?
The exporter applies for it before shipping. In Japan, EAA carries out the inspection, and the Certificate of Conformity is sent to you for clearance.
How much duty will I pay?
It depends on the car’s value, type, engine size and age. Check with ZIMRA or a licensed clearing agent before you buy.
Sources
- Government of Zimbabwe (via Veritas): SI 59 of 2026, Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (gazetted 25 March 2026)
- Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA): public notices on vehicle imports (checked 1 October 2026)
- Bureau Veritas: Zimbabwe CBCA data sheet, used vehicles and spare parts, Rev. 3 (April 2024)
- EAA Co., Ltd.: inspection services (countries include Zimbabwe) (checked 1 October 2026)
