subject: Know Your Import Regulations When You Buy Import Cars Online [print this page] Modern technology has afforded internet users to do almost anything online, including buying cars. The large number of online used-car dealers and sellers shows that used cars are in abundance, and it is possible that the car you want is on the other side of the world. In such cases, it is inevitable that your car needs to be shippedbut before that, it is best to know your countrys import regulations first when buying import cars online.
Doing research about import regulations would make buyers better prepared for what to expect once the imported vehicle arrives at its destination port. There have been instances when buyers of imported cars had been shocked to find out that there are more taxes and fees that need to be paid before the car was given approval and released. Countries in Africa have different import regulations, and if you know the process, you will be better prepared to meet the set requirements. To give you an idea, we have here some African countries and their import regulations.
Botswanas nearest shipping destination port is Durban in South Africa, and from Durban the recommended route for land travel would be Johannesburg, Tlokweng, and finally to Botswanas capital Gaborone. Vehicles of any age may be imported, but Roadworthiness Testing for all imported vehicles is required by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. There are testing stations in Lobatse, Palapye, Francistown, and Gaborone. Import cars are subjected to 12% value-added tax and excise tax up to 35%.
Namibia differs from Botswana in that there is an age limit for imported vehicles. If youre in Namibia, be careful not to buy import cars that are more than four years old. To get to Namibia, a car is first shipped to Durban and then travel by land through Johannesburg, to Nakop, and then finally to Windhoek, the nations capital city. The cars are required to undergo the inspection done by the Japan Auto Appraisal Institute before being approved for improved. Import tax is at ten percent while VAT is set at 14%. Duties may rise up to 85% depending on the make of the car.
For Zambia, importers may choose between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Durban in South Africa as destination ports. Vehicles of any age may be imported provided that these have undergone an inspection done by the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center. The value-added tax is higher than Botswana and NamibiaZambias VAT rate is set at 17.5% for all vehicles. Custom duties range from 15% for pickups, trucks, and buses to 25% for smaller vehicles. When you buy import cars, take note of the excise duties you have to pay. These range from zero for trucks to thirty percent for other vehicles.
Other destination ports in Africa are Mombasa in Kenya and Maputo in Mozambique. The Mombasa port also services Uganda, Sudan, and South Sudan. Imports received by the port in Durban also go to Zimbabwe and Lesotho; the Dar es Salaam port also services Tanzania, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi.
When buying import cars, its best to be prepared. Do your research and plan your logistics well for a worry-free shipment and inspection processit sure is better to spend time enjoying your car than wait a long time for it to be registered!
by: Kyoko Nitori
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