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Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone admits left-hand-drive used vehicles up to 15 years old, and its duty scale rewards newer stock: cars under four years old pay only 5% customs duty instead of 20–30%. That structure favours the 1–4 year old vehicles we hold. Freetown is the main gateway.

Sierra Leone

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Left-hand drive only · Inspection before shipping · MOQ from 1 unit

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What are the rules for importing a car from China into Sierra Leone?
Age limit:

Used vehicles must be no more than 15 years old (Finance Act 2025). Right-hand drive, salvage and locally assembled vehicles are prohibited from import.

Import duty & taxes:

Customs duty by vehicle age: 5% for 0–4 years, 20% for 4–10 years, 30% for 10–15 years; VAT 12.5%; excise duty 10–35% by engine size, with EVs and PHEVs exempt.

Steering:

Left-hand drive only; right-hand drive vehicles cannot be registered.

Main ports / entry:

Port of Freetown (Queen Elizabeth II Quay).

Authority & certification:

National Revenue Authority (NRA) for duties and pre-shipment inspection; Ministry of Transport and Aviation for registration.

Import facts at a glance

Required documentsPre-shipment inspection (PSI) certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.

Figures indicative. Sierra Leone's age-banded duty makes 0–4 year old vehicles the cheapest to clear; pre-shipment inspection is compulsory and must be arranged before loading. Confirm current rates with the National Revenue Authority before quoting. Sources: Finance Act 2025 (Sierra Leone); National Revenue Authority. Last checked 2026-10.

65-country import policy quick reference →

Popular models — Sierra Leone

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Vehicles currently available — Sierra Leone

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All markets

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Further reading

Africa Import Compliance: Clearance, Pre-Shipment Inspection, Age Limits and RHD/LHDThe Documents Behind Every Shipment: Invoice, B/L, Certificate of Origin, UN38.3

Import guides

Import process: where shipments stallChina export ports by marketImport glossary: terms that decide a shipmentZOFRI Iquique: legal route for used cars

Our experience in this region — Africa

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.

FAQ

Can EZ Auto ship cars to Africa?
Yes. We export new and used Chinese vehicles to all eight markets covered here — Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania — with full export documents and sea freight to the main regional ports. Import clearance is handled by you or a local broker; we supply all paperwork.
Which African market is easiest for importing used cars?
It depends on your situation. South Africa restricts used imports to returning residents, diplomats and a few narrow categories, and Ethiopia allows only electric vehicles. Among the open markets, Egypt caps used passenger cars at 3 years, Morocco at 5, Kenya at 8 (right-hand drive), Ghana and Nigeria at about 10–12 (left-hand drive), and Tanzania at 10 (right-hand drive). Because the limits are enforced at the port and change periodically, confirm the current rule for your target country before buying.
Left-hand drive or right-hand drive for Africa?
Africa is split by colonial history. West and North Africa — Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco — drive on the right and require left-hand-drive vehicles. East and Southern Africa — Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa — drive on the left and require right-hand-drive vehicles. Sending the wrong configuration means rejection at the port, so we confirm the steering side for your exact destination before you order.
How long does shipping from China to Africa take?
Sea transit varies by coast: about 35–45 days to West Africa (Lagos, Tema), 25–35 days to East and Southern Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban) and North Africa (Port Said, Alexandria, Casablanca, Tanger Med), and slightly longer for landlocked Ethiopia via Djibouti. Transit times shift with route and season, so we confirm the current schedule for your lane before shipment.
Do you handle import clearance in my country?
Export clearance in China is on us. Import clearance is handled by you or your local broker; we supply all documents and advise on requirements per country.
How many cars fit in one container, and should I book FCL or LCL?
It depends on the model and the loading method. Compact SUVs and sedans are commonly loaded two to four units per 40ft container using racking or stacking, while larger SUVs and pickups may take fewer. Full container load (FCL) is the usual choice for a single order because the cargo stays sealed from door to door; less than container load (LCL) can be considered for a single unit alongside other cargo. Loading plans are confirmed per order — request one before you commit, because dimensions and weight limits decide the final count.
What are the payment terms?
Payment terms are agreed order by order and written into the contract — we do not quote standing terms here, because the structure depends on the model, the sourcing lead time and the shipping schedule. A contract typically sets out the deposit, the balance trigger and the documents released against each payment. Whatever the structure, you receive the full export document set against the agreed milestones. Please treat the signed contract as the only binding statement of terms.
How do we start?
Send us your target country, the models or body types you are considering, and the approximate volume. We reply with availability in China and a loading plan, and you can then confirm a unit for inspection. If it helps, tell us whether you are buying for retail, fleet or re-export — that changes which models and which condition (new or recent used) make sense in your market. There is no obligation until a contract is signed.
Should I start with new cars or used cars in Africa?
It depends on the market. Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Morocco admit used cars inside their age limits; Egypt caps used passenger cars at 3 years; Kenya requires right-hand drive; South Africa restricts used imports to returning residents; Ethiopia admits only electric vehicles. Many importers run two lines — new cars for the tighter markets and recent used cars where the age limit allows. Tell us your destination and we will point out which line fits your licence and working capital.

What buyers say

Real feedback from the importers we serve

5.0★★★★★Based on 8 verified buyer reviews
★★★★★

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)

Aleksandr V.Belarus

Dealer · Zeekr 9X, Geely Monjaro, Deepal S05 · 2026

★★★★★

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)

KananAzerbaijan

Dealer · Geely Galaxy M9, Changan CS55 · 2026

★★★★★

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)

MamouGuinea

Dealer · etour Dashing, Jetour X70 Plus

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