Regulations and Costs for Importing a car to Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a big consumer of imported cars from Japan and other places. Every year, more than 50,000 cars are imported. Because it is a landlocked country, vehicles imported have to be cleared through the Port of Durban in South Africa, Walvis Bay in Namibia or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

If you are importing a car to Zimbabwe, please note that from April 2013, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Insurance Council Union made it mandatory for all vehicle importers to apply for a 14-day temporary third party license, immediately at the entry point of the vehicle before they can drive the car to its final destination. The objective for this was to curb excessive road carnage and to ensure that no vehicle with foreign registration number drove on the road without insurance cover.

There is no age limit for used vehicles imported to Zimbabwe. Although there are no restrictions against importing cars to Zimbabwe, these are considered luxury items and therefore there are the applicable costs and taxes for that. In comparison to buses and trucks, cars are taxed more. However, that is not going to stop you from importing your car, will it?

The company that sold you the vehicle may or may not foot the clearing fees for you, at Durban or Walvis Bay in Namibia and deliver the vehicle to you at Beitbridge and then from there, you can clear customs and enjoy your vehicle as you wish.

Custom duty

1. For vehicles that have a smaller engine capacity, that is less than 1500cc, the custom duty will be 40%
2. For vehicles that are used for transporting goods, the custom duty will be 25% to 40% depending on the gross weight of the vehicle. Note that double cab pickups and single cab trucks will fall into this category.
3. Light passenger vehicles, station wagons and so forth will attract customs duty of 25% to 40%.
4. Buses, mini-buses and other vehicles that are used for ferrying 10 or more passengers attract a customs duty of 0% to 60%.

Other Taxes

There is surtax charge of 25% for all used imported vehicles that are more than 5 years old and 15% VAT.

Pre-owned vehicles that are more than 5 years old can be imported into Zimbabwe. However, you are advised to check this with ZIMRA as the rules could have changed.

Valuation of motor vehicles

Zimbabwe Revenue authority will do the valuation of motor vehicles depending on their age and condition. It will also value them depending on the cost of similar vehicles in the market.