Buying a UK car to export to Tanzania
Our buying team are experts in sourcing UK cars. They negotiate the best prices, buy it and manage the export to Tanzania for you.
Buying a UK car to export from another UK dealer.
Found the car of your dreams with a non-export dealer? No problem. We are very happy to step in and manage the purchase an export for the car for you.
We will manage negotiations, inspections and export your car to Tanzania with the same care we give to all our cars. This video on importing a car from a non export dealer in the UK gives you more information.
Buying a VAT qualifying car to export to Tanzania
If you export a VAT qualifying car you can reclaim 20% VAT off the advertised price when you export the car. We are skilled at finding VAT qualifying cars for our clients and reclaiming the VAT when the car is exported. Find out more about
how to export a VAT qualifying car VAT free or talk to our team.
Reclaiming the VAT on cars exported to Tanzania
Reclaiming the VAT on a car when it is exported is a detailed process. Where possible, we buy VAT qualifying cars for our clients and reclaim the 20% VAT when the car is exported. This is a standard part of our car export service and we will not ask you to cover the VAT during this process, so you get the saving in the export price. our full story about how to reclaim VAT on car exports to gives a clear understanding of how VAT reclaim works today.
Before buying a UK car for export.
Before you transfer any money for a car, it is essential you see the key paperwork to verify the car’s specification, its history and the ownership of the vehicle. It is critical you see the V5 log book, a valid MOT certificate and a full confirmation of the specification.
The V5 confirms make, model, age and ownership of the car. This will ensure you can match the chassis number and registration plate to the car you are seeing in photos. You must also read the car’s full service history. This will show the car’s services and should be stamped and dated by the garage. Most services will also have the car’s mileage noted at the time of the service. This will help you check the mileage is consistent with the car’s advertised mileage. Our essential guide to buying a quality UK car explains more.
Important Background Checks.
All MHH cars have thorough background checks before buying. We give each car an HPI check which includes a confirmation of mileage from the UK National Mileage register. These checks are a standard part of our service and ensure the car has no history of theft or finance and confirms that the mileage is consistent with the advertised mileage.
Shipping UK cars to Tanzania
Shipping cars to Dar es Salaam allows you to choose either the roll on – roll off (ro-ro) service or the container service.
Roll on – Roll off: Is the cheapest option and therefore the most popular. The cars are driven onto the vessel and secured prior to shipping to Tanzania.
Container shipping: Is considered to be more secure as your car is loaded into a single 20ft container or a shared 40ft container. The cars are secured inside the container which is then locked and loaded onto the vessel. As a more expensive option this is preferred by clients importing high value prestige cars.
CIF car export service to Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Our CIF service transports your car from the UK to Tanzania with the greatest care. We manage the purchase, VAT reclaim, road insurance and export of your car with high levels of marine insurance to Dar es Salaam.
We recommend you employ a registered clearing agent in Dar es Salaam to assist your car’s customs clearance and registration in Tanzania.
Marine insurance to Tanzania
All our cars are exported with a high level of marine insurance for the duration of the shipping. For peace of mind, your car is insured to its invoiced value and not the value of the metal.
Payment Process exporting UK Cars to Tanzania.
To secure your car with require a deposit of £1000.
Our CIF export service is paid for in the UK before your car it delivered to the UK port.
You will pay your clearing agent directly for their services in Tanzania.
Car Export timings UK to Tanzania
Whilst that may vary according to the shipping schedules, the breakdown of the export timings are as follows:
Day 1: Car inspected, collected and transported to our office.
Days 2-8: Shipping booked, tuning & modifications completed & delivered to the UK port.
Days 9-12: Packed & loaded onto the vessel.
Days 13-30: Shipping from the UK to Tanzania.
Car import requirements to Tanzania
Age restriction? There is no age restriction on cars imported into Tanzania although the Tanzanian Revenue Authority (TRA) charges a higher amount of tax for vehicles older than 8 years on arrival.
Roadworthiness inspection? Yes, theTanzanian Bureau of Standards' (TBS) requires cars to have a PVoC inspection completed by an authorised agent on arrival in Tanzania.
Right Hand Drive? Vehicles must be right hand drive only.
It is advisable that you check the most recent importing regulations for Tanzania with either your embassy or a licensed clearing agent in Tanzania to ensure these regulations haven’t been revised since the time of writing. These are provided as the best possible guide available and may be subject to change.
Dar es Salaam Port Charges
You should anticipate to pay port charges to your clearing agent who will then pay the CFS. The fees are approximately twice as much for a containered shipments versus a ro-ro shipment. If you are importing your car C&F then the port charges are paid to the appointed clearing agent. If you are using a DDP import service then you should expect to pay port charges to your importer.
Car Import Duty and Taxes in Tanzania
Cars imported to Tanzania are charged import duty and taxes when your car arrives. These are as follows:
Engine Capacity: Up to 2000 cc
* Value Added Tax (VAT): 20%
* Import Duty: 25%
* Cumulatively, 50% of the vehicle’s dutiable value
Engine Capacity: Above 2000 cc
* Value Added Tax (VAT): 20%
* Import Duty: 25%
* Excise Duty: 10%
* Cumulatively, 60% of the vehicle’s dutiable value
Vehicles 8 Years or Over:
*Non-Utility Vehicles: 25%
*Utility Vehicles: 5%
Please note:
Taxation rules on vehicles 8 years old and above apply to trucks and cars. They do no apply to bull dozers, agricultural equipment, graders and heavy machinery.
Excise Duty is dependent on the size of the vehicle’s engine as detailed below:
Up to 1000 cc: 0%
Over 1000 cc but under 2000 cc: 5%
Over 2000 cc: 10%
Paperwork you should receive with your UK car import.
To ensure that your key document and loose items arrive safely, we DHL them. This includes headphones, remote controls and spare keys and your car’s paperwork. You should receive following documents from your importer:
- Bill of lading
- V5 log book
- Valid MOT certificate
- Owner’s manual
- Stamped service history book
- HPI certificate
Get in touch with our buying specialists today and they will be happy to help you import your perfect car to Tanzania.
Useful Links
For the latest information about vehicle import regulations, procedures and duties, please refer to the Tanzanian authorities websites:
TRA Motor vehicle registration
TRA Used motor vehicle valuation system
