Importing a car from China to Tanzania: full landed-cost guide 2026
Duties, VAT, who can import, what gets in, shipping — and the DDP price of 30 popular Chinese models in Tanzania, computed by our rules engine with sources and verification dates.
Who can import and what gets in
- ⛔ Right-hand drive only: China-market LHD cars cannot be imported — needs the RHD version
- • Who can import: Individuals and companies may import; a TIN is required and clearance goes through a TRA-licensed agent
- • Pre-shipment inspection: TBS PVoC pre-shipment inspection (CCIC / Intertek / TÜV etc., about $150–250 per car; arriving without it costs a 30% CIF penalty)
- • No age ban on used cars; the exact age-based excise bands still need checking, so cars over 8 years will cost more than shown here
- • Used cars are not taxed on invoice value — TRA's Used Motor Vehicle Valuation System is mandatory
- • Right-hand drive; main port Dar es Salaam
Tax rules and sources
- EAC Common External Tariff: 25% base import duty on passenger cars (as of 2026) ↗ official 2026-09-06
- Used-car values are bound by TRA's valuation system; the minimum dutiable value follows the official database ↗ official 2026-09-06
- Excise on petrol/diesel cars: 5% up to 2,000 cc, 10% above, on CIF + duty; EVs 0% ↗ official 2026-09-06
- Age-based excise surcharge: 18% over 8 years, 35% over 10 years, 40% over 20 years ↗ official 2026-09-06
- VAT 18% on CIF + duty + excise; plus RDL 1.5%, wharfage 1.6% and customs processing fee 0.6% ↗ verified 2026-09-06
Dar es Salaam is the main gateway for car imports into Tanzania, a right-hand-drive market. Passenger cars pay the 25% EAC common external tariff, excise of 5% / 10% by engine size (0% for battery-electric), 18% VAT, plus RDL 1.5%, wharfage 1.6% and a 0.6% customs processing fee. ⚠ The age-based excise surcharge could not be found in the Finance Act 2025 and is left out of this calculation, so cars over 8 years will cost more than shown. A TBS PVoC certificate is mandatory before shipment (30% CIF penalty otherwise), and used cars are valued on TRA's official database.
Popular models: DDP price in Tanzania
| Model | FOB | DDP |
|---|---|---|
| BYD Seal 05 DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc | $12,396 | $26,198 |
| BYD Song Plus DM-iExample configuration (reference price) · Plug-in hybrid · 1,498 cc | $16,720 | $33,110 |
| BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $17,045 | $32,091 |
| BYD Seal EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $23,748 | $42,307 |
| BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $13,477 | $26,653 |
| BYD DolphinExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $12,936 | $25,828 |
| BYD Sealion 7Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $25,370 | $44,779 |
| BYD Han EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $24,829 | $43,954 |
| BYD Seal U (Sealion 6)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $19,964 | $36,540 |
| BYD Tang EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $33,479 | $57,138 |
| Geely CoolrayExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,499 cc | $12,396 | $26,198 |
| Geely Xingyue L (Monjaro)Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,969 cc | $19,423 | $37,430 |
| Zeekr 001Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $36,723 | $62,082 |
| Chery Tiggo 8 ProExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,598 cc | $17,261 | $33,975 |
| Changan CS75 PlusExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,499 cc | $15,099 | $30,519 |
| GWM Haval H6Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,998 cc | $15,639 | $31,382 |
| Jetour T2 (Traveller)Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,998 cc | $21,261 | $40,368 |
| Jetour X70Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,498 cc | $13,369 | $27,753 |
| XPeng G6Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $26,992 | $47,251 |
| MG4 EVExample configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $20,505 | $37,364 |
| Tesla Model Y (Shanghai-built)Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $33,479 | $57,138 |
| XPeng G9Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $37,804 | $63,730 |
| XPeng X9Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $46,453 | $76,911 |
| XPeng MONA M03Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $19,423 | $35,715 |
| AITO M7Example configuration (reference price) · Range extender · 1,499 cc | $42,129 | $73,724 |
| AITO M9Example configuration (reference price) · Range extender · 1,499 cc | $74,565 | $125,571 |
| MG5Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,498 cc | $9,152 | $21,013 |
| MG7Example configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,496 cc | $17,802 | $34,839 |
| Changan UNI-VExample configuration (reference price) · Petrol · 1,494 cc | $14,017 | $28,789 |
| Changan Nevo Q05Example configuration (reference price) · Battery electric | $16,720 | $31,596 |
Available to order now
Cars you can order now: same-day quotes by model with maker photos. Sign up free to see every trim and the price to your own country.
BYD Seal 05 DM-i
PHEV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $10,397+
BYD Destroyer 05
PHEV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $10,685+
BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus)
EV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $15,122+
BYD Atto 2 (Yuan Up)
EV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $13,033+
BYD Dolphin
EV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $14,000+
BYD Sealion 7
2026 · EV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $27,923+
BYD Sealion 07 DM-i
2026 · PHEV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $23,282+
BYD Tang DM-i
PHEV
LandedCar ✓
FOB $23,583+
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