Importing a car from China to Rwanda: full landed-cost guide 2026

Duties, VAT, who can import, what gets in, shipping — and the DDP price of 28 popular Chinese models in Rwanda, computed by our rules engine with sources and verification dates.

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Who can import and what gets in

• Age limit 10 years
• Who can import: Individuals and companies may import; register with the RRA or use a licensed clearing agent, with a TIN
• Pre-shipment inspection: RSB PVoC
• Left-hand drive only; right-hand-drive cars cannot be registered and may only transit
• 10-year age limit; used cars are valued on the EAC depreciation schedule (up to 80%)
• For cars declared above $60,000 CIF the dutiable value is capped at $60,000
• Euro 4 or better has been required since August 2025 (cars under 2 years old exempt)
• Battery-electric cars are exempt from duty, excise, VAT and withholding tax until 30 June 2028

Tax rules and sources

Petrol/diesel passenger cars 25% duty; battery-electric cars 0% until 30 June 2028 ↗ official 2026-09-20
Excise by engine size: 5% up to 1,500 cc, 10% for 1,501–2,500 cc, 15% above; 0% for battery-electric ↗ official 2026-09-20
Standard VAT 18%; battery-electric cars exempt until 30 June 2028 ↗ official 2026-09-20
Import levies: IDL 1.5%, African Union levy 0.2%, environmental levy 0.2%, all on CIF ↗ official 2026-09-20

Rwanda is a landlocked nation; imported vehicles typically arrive via Dar es Salaam or Mombasa and are cleared inland at Masaka DPW or Gikondo in Kigali. Fuel vehicles face an overall tax burden of roughly 55-70% of CIF, whereas BEVs enjoy zero duty, excise, and VAT exemptions until mid-2028. Critical requirements include strict left-hand drive (LHD) regulations, a 10-year age cap, Euro 4 emission standards, and RSB pre-shipment inspection (PVoC).

Popular models: DDP price in Rwanda

Model	Ex-works	DDP
BYD Seal 05 DM-i	$10,815	$29,026
BYD Song Plus DM-i	$14,935	$35,753
BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)	$15,244	$24,045
BYD Seal EV	$21,525	$30,509
BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)	$11,845	$20,547
BYD Dolphin	$11,330	$20,017
BYD Sealion 7	$23,062	$32,091
BYD Han EV	$22,550	$31,564
BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)	$17,938	$26,818
BYD Tang EV	$30,750	$40,003
Geely Coolray	$10,815	$29,026
Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)	$17,425	$41,485
Zeekr 001	$33,660	$42,998
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro	$15,450	$38,113
Changan CS75 Plus	$13,390	$33,230
GWM Haval H6	$13,905	$35,476
XPeng G6	$24,600	$33,674
MG4 EV	$18,450	$27,344
Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)	$30,750	$40,003
XPeng G9	$34,680	$44,048
XPeng X9	$42,840	$52,446
XPeng MONA M03	$17,425	$26,290
AITO M7	$38,760	$74,652
AITO M9	$69,020	$124,058
MG5	$7,725	$23,981
MG7	$15,887	$37,307
Changan UNI-V	$12,360	$31,549
Changan Nevo Q05	$14,935	$23,727