Africa is not one customs regime. This page puts the region's import rules into one matrix so you can check a vehicle against age, tax, certification and driving-side requirements before you commit. For country-by-country navigation use the Africa market page, and for the full end-to-end process start with the complete import guide.
Africa is a large and varied car-import region. West and North Africa drive on the right (left-hand-drive vehicles), while East and Southern Africa drive on the left (right-hand-drive vehicles). Age limits range from 3 years in Egypt to 12 years in Nigeria (with some ports enforcing 10), and South Africa restricts used-car imports to returning residents, while Ethiopia permits only electric vehicles. This guide summarises the real import framework for each country: age limits, duties, ports, certification and documents. Figures are indicative — always confirm with the destination customs before shipping.
Every figure below comes from the same published country facts used on our market pages. They are indicative: the destination customs authority's current rule is always the final reference, and rules change more often than shipping schedules do.
Rules vary widely and two countries have effectively closed the door to used imports. Ethiopia has prohibited used and fuel-vehicle imports since January 2024 and admits only EVs, with no formal age limit for personal use but one vehicle per person per year. Egypt caps used passenger cars at 3 years from the year of manufacture. Morocco allows 5 years from first registration and has required Euro 6 since 2023. Ghana applies escalating over-age penalties beyond 10 years, reaching 50% at 15 years and above. Nigeria's official limit is 12 years from the year of manufacture, though some ports such as Tincan Island enforced a tighter 10-year cap in 2025. Kenya limits vehicles to 8 years from the year of first registration. Tanzania moved to a 10-year cap in 2025, down from 12, with extra excise over 8 years. South Africa admits used imports only for defined categories — returning residents, new permanent residents, diplomats, persons with disabilities, and antique or racing cars over 40 years old.
The total burden often runs far above the headline duty. Nigeria: about 20% duty on passenger cars plus a 15% National Automotive Council levy, 7.5% VAT, 0.5% ECOWAS levy and roughly 7% CISS surcharge — commonly 50–90% of CIF. Ghana: 20% duty plus 15% VAT, 2.5% NHIL, 2.5% GETFund, 0.5% ECOWAS, 2% special import tax and fees. South Africa: 25% duty (20% for vehicles over 20 years old) plus 7–20% ad valorem and 15% VAT. Egypt: used-car duty rises with engine size — commonly 40–60% for passenger cars — plus 14% VAT, while EVs pay 0% duty. Kenya: 25% duty, 20–35% excise by engine size, 16% VAT, a 3.5% import declaration fee and 2% railway development levy. Tanzania: 25% duty, 18% VAT and 0–25% displacement-based excise. Morocco: 10–30% (commonly about 17.5%) plus 20% VAT and a 0.25% parafiscal charge. Ethiopia: EVs at 0% duty plus 15% VAT and 3% withholding tax.
Every market layers domestic approval on top of customs. Nigeria: the NCS assesses and collects duty, the Federal Road Safety Corps registers vehicles, and new cars need SONCAP certification with a bank-issued Form M before shipment and a PAAR from customs. South Africa: SARS collects duty, the International Trade Administration Commission issues import licences, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications issues Letters of Authority, and eNaTIS handles registration. Kenya: the KRA collects duty, the Kenya Bureau of Standards requires pre-shipment inspection to KS 1515:2000, and the NTSA registers vehicles through the eCitizen portal. Tanzania: the TRA collects duty, TARURA conducts roadworthiness inspections, and pre-shipment verification must be completed by an approved body such as JEVIC. Egypt: Egyptian Customs leads clearance and CargoX manages electronic bills of lading and document registration, mandatory since 1 July 2021. Ghana: the GRA collects duty, the DVLA registers after roadworthiness inspection, and the Ghana Standards Authority issues certificates of conformity. Morocco: ADII handles clearance with a certificate of conformity and an EX-A export declaration issued by the country of origin. Ethiopia: the Ministry of Transport and Logistics sets the EV import framework, the Customs Commission clears, and EVs require UN R136 battery certification.
EZ Auto is based in China (Zhengzhou, Henan) with 15–20 years in the country's car export trade. We export new and used Chinese vehicles across Africa, with sea freight from Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangzhou to Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Port Said, Alexandria, Casablanca and Tanger Med, handling China export clearance and full documentation. Landlocked Ethiopia is served via the Port of Djibouti. Local import clearance is arranged by the buyer or a licensed broker; we provide all paperwork and per-country guidance. We do not operate local offices in Africa — every car is sourced and inspected in China before shipment.
To be explicit about scope: EZ Auto sources, inspects and exports vehicles from China and provides the export paperwork for each unit. We are not a stand-alone freight forwarder, we do not ship vehicles bought from a third-party supplier, and documents such as UN38.3 test summaries or MSDS are supplied with vehicles purchased through us — they are not sold separately and cannot be transferred to another vehicle or battery. Destination clearance and inland delivery are handled by the buyer or a licensed local broker.
Start with the rule matrix above, then confirm the two numbers that actually decide landed cost — the age cap and the total tax burden — with your broker before the vehicle is booked. When you have a model and a destination port, browse current stock or send us the specification for a document-complete quotation.
Rules, rates and port practice shown here are indicative and drawn from our published country guides. Always confirm the current requirement with the destination customs authority or a licensed broker before shipment.
Buyers from our destination markets.
I took a Zeekr 9X, a Geely Monjaro and a Deepal S05. Quality is up to standard, prices are fair, and the loading was done even faster than planned. All three cars arrived without a single hitch. Thanks to the EZ Auto team — we will be back. (Translated from Russian)
We received a Geely Galaxy M9 and a Changan CS55. Both cars are new, fully equipped, and everything matches what was agreed. The managers are always reachable and helped organise the delivery. We plan to expand our range together with EZ Auto. (Translated from Russian)
I ordered two vehicles from EZ Auto: a Jetour Dashing and a Jetour X70 Plus. The cars arrived as described and in very good condition. The team replies quickly and follows the file through to delivery. I will do business with them again. (Translated from French)
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