Import rules and regulations for Japanese used cars in Zimbabwe

The used car market of Japan has been bigger and is growing at a much faster pace. Every day, thousands of used vehicles are exported from Japan to various countries across the world. Used vehicles from Japan are generally in good condition, reasonably priced, and it is quite easy to find spare parts of Japanese vehicles. If Japan is the biggest exporter of used vehicles, then no doubt Africa is the largest importer of used Japanese vehicles. Zimbabwe, an African country lies in southern Africa wholly within the tropics, import large numbers of used vehicles from Japan. It is common to see numbers of used vehicles on the streets of Zimbabwe, which show how popular are these vehicles in the country.

In Zimbabwe cars are considered as luxury. Japanese used cars are popular with Zimbabweans as they are good with quality, and reasonably priced. As Japanese vehicles are reliable and high on quality, many countries across the world import these vehicles. Another major reason that people are attracted towards used vehicles is that one gets a good vehicle at cost price around 50% less than that of new ones. Even the duties on used vehicles are less than that of on new vehicles. While importing a used vehicle, importers just have to abide by all import rules and regulations to avoid any problem during customs clearance. Importation of right hand drive vehicles is allowed in Zimbabwe. Exception is provided in case of ambulance and fire engine. There is no age restriction as well as no mandatory inspection on Japanese used vehicles imported to Zimbabwe.

Documents required-

1. Immigrants Declaration
2. Passport
3. Residence Permit
4. Import license if vehicle ownership before importation is less than six months.
5. Registration document
6. Invoice/Agreement of sale
7. Insurance document (to the place of importation)
8. Freight document

Import Tax rates-

• For all non-commercial vehicles: 60%-80%
• For light passenger vehicles, station wagons: 25%-40%
• Buses, mini-buses and other vehicles that are used for ferrying 10 or more passengers: 0%-60%
• For vehicles with engine smaller than 1500cc: 40%
• Surtax of 25%of the Value for duty purposes (VDP) on vehicle that are more than five years old.
• VAT- 15%

Shipping Port-

Being a landlocked country, Zimbabwe does not have any port of its own. Used cars imported in the country are shipped to the maritime port of Durban in South Africa, Walvis Bay in Namibia or Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania. Generally, RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping method is used for vehicle shipment. However, if requested by customers, more expensive and safe container shipment method is used.