Importing a Car to Tanzania from the UK: Duty, Ports and Registration

Most vehicles bound for Tanzania leave the UK via Southampton using RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) sailings that route through the Suez Canal to Dar es Salaam. Some shipments are consolidated at Bristol or Tilbury before joining the same vessel schedule. RoRo remains the cheapest option for standard saloons and SUVs, while container shipping is recommended for higher-value 4x4s or vehicles carrying personal effects, since containers can be sealed and locked.

Transit time from Southampton to Dar es Salaam averages 30–38 days depending on the carrier and whether the vessel calls at intermediate African ports such as Mombasa first. Booking during December and January should allow extra buffer, as East African port congestion peaks ahead of the festive import rush.

Tanzania applies import duty of 25%, VAT of 18%, and an excise duty that scales sharply with engine size and age. Petrol vehicles under 2000cc attract 5% excise if less than five years old, rising to 20% for cars over eight years old. Diesel vehicles face a further surcharge. Combined, taxes on an eight-year-old 2.5-litre diesel SUV can exceed 100% of its CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value, so it is essential to run the numbers before committing to a purchase.

The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) calculates duty using its own reference values rather than your invoice price where discrepancies are suspected, so keep your UK purchase invoice, V5C, and an independent valuation report ready for inspection at Dar es Salaam port.

Tanzania drives on the left, so UK right-hand drive vehicles are legally importable and require no steering conversion — a significant cost saving compared with importing into left-hand drive markets. There is no blanket age ban, but the excise duty structure heavily penalises vehicles over eight years old, effectively discouraging very old imports. Most buyers target vehicles between three and seven years old to balance purchase price against duty exposure.

On arrival, vehicles must pass a Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) pre-shipment inspection, arranged before the vehicle leaves the UK through an approved inspection agent such as JEVIC. Without a valid inspection certificate, customs clearance at Dar es Salaam will stall. Once duty is paid, the vehicle is registered with the Tanzania Revenue Authority and issued local number plates through the Tanzania Registration Agency (TRA-managed motor vehicle registration).

A National Environment Management Council (NEMC) roadworthiness check may also apply for older diesel imports, focusing on emissions.

Budget £1,150–£1,700 for RoRo freight from Southampton to Dar es Salaam for a standard saloon or SUV, plus £250–£400 for UK export documentation, TBS pre-shipment inspection, and marine insurance. Duty and excise on top can range from £2,000 on a small, newer petrol car to over £6,000 on a larger diesel 4x4. Always request a landed-cost estimate before purchasing the vehicle in the UK.

You will need the original V5C logbook (with the export section completed), a bill of sale or invoice, your Tanzanian TIN (Tax Identification Number) if registering the vehicle yourself, and a TBS inspection booking reference. If shipping on behalf of a returning resident under Tanzania's returning-officer exemption scheme, additional proof of prior residence abroad is required to qualify for reduced duty.