Should you import a used car from Japan or buy from a dealer or car yard in Lusaka? The answer depends on more than just the sticker price. This breakdown covers the full cost of both options using a 2014 Honda Fit - one of the most popular vehicles on Zambian roads. Use our vehicle import duty calculator in Total Landed Cost mode to estimate the full import cost for any vehicle.
If you need to understand how duty is calculated first, start with our guide to calculating vehicle import duty. For the full rate tables, see the 2026 ZRA specific duty schedule.
The full cost of importing
When you import a vehicle, the ZRA duty is only one part of the total cost. Here is a realistic breakdown for a 2014 Honda Fit (1300cc hatchback) purchased from a Japanese auction:
Prices below are based on SBT Japan listings and an exchange rate of K19.2/USD (as of April 2026). A typical 2013-2014 Honda Fit 1300cc sells for $1,500-$1,800 at a Japanese dealer, with freight ($900-$1,500) and insurance ($20-$40) bringing the CIF total to around $2,500-$3,300.
Cost Item | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
Vehicle CIF from Japan (price + freight + insurance) | K48,000 - K63,000 |
ZRA specific duty + carbon surtax | K29,614.56 |
Jevic fee (mandatory customs system) | K3,110 |
Aquittal fee (agent customs processing) | K300 |
Port charges (Dar es Salaam/Durban) | K5,000 - K10,000 |
Clearing agent fee | K1,500 - K5,000 |
Transport from port to Zambia | K1,500 - K5,000 |
RTSA fitness inspection | K64 |
RTSA registration + number plates | K500 - K1,000 |
Road tax | K200 - K1,000 |
Insurance | K500 - K2,000 |
Estimated total landed cost: K88,000 - K111,000Most people who have imported a Honda Fit (2014 or older models) report spending K88,000 to K111,000 all in. The ZRA duty (K29,614.56) is the one fixed number - everything else varies by route, agent, and timing.
Watch out: Port storage fees of K1,000-K2,500 per day kick in after 7 free days at port. Delays in clearing paperwork can add thousands to your total cost.
The full cost of buying locally
Buying the same car from a Lusaka car yard or dealer:
Cost Item | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
Vehicle price (car yard) | K120,000 - K150,000 |
RTSA transfer + registration | K500 - K1,500 |
Insurance | K500 - K2,000 |
Estimated total cost: K121,000 - K153,500Car yard prices already include the duty that was paid when the vehicle first entered Zambia, plus the dealer's margin. You pay more per vehicle but skip the hassle of importing.
Side-by-side comparison
Factor | Import Yourself | Buy Locally |
|---|---|---|
Total cost (Honda Fit) | K88,000 - K111,000 | K121,000 - K153,500 |
Time to get the car | 6-12 weeks | Same day |
Condition/mileage | Often lower mileage | Varies, inspect carefully |
Test drive before buying | No | Yes |
Financing available | Rarely | Some dealers offer |
Paperwork complexity | High (clearing, transit, RTSA) | Low (transfer only) |
Risk | Auction photos may not match reality | Can inspect in person |
Choice of spec | Wide (full Japanese market) | Limited to what is in stock |
When importing makes sense
You want a better price - importing is typically K30,000-K50,000 cheaper than buying the same car locally, and you often get a vehicle in better condition with lower mileage
You want a specific model or trim that is hard to find locally (e.g. particular Fit variant, automatic vs manual)
You have a trusted agent in Japan who can inspect the car before purchase
You are buying in bulk (dealers importing multiple units)
You are comfortable waiting 2-3 months for delivery
You are importing a right-hand drive vehicle from Japan - Zambia drives on the left, so this is a natural fit
When buying local makes sense
You need a car immediately
You want to test drive and physically inspect before paying
You prefer financing or instalment options from a dealer
You do not want the risk and complexity of the clearing process
The price difference is small after accounting for all import costs
The reality of the Zambian market
Most vehicles on Zambian roads are 10 years old or more. The 5+ year duty band is what matters for the vast majority of imports, and the rates are designed with this in mind. Very few people import vehicles in the 2-5 year bracket because the duty is substantially higher and the vehicles themselves cost more to purchase.
The small hatchback segment - Honda Fit, Toyota Vitz, Nissan Note - dominates because these cars are affordable at auction, fuel-efficient, and attract the lowest duty band. A 1300cc Honda Fit at K29,614.56 duty is the baseline that most importers work from.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy a car in Zambia or import from Japan?
It depends on the model and your timing. For popular small cars like the Honda Fit, the total landed cost of importing is often similar to or slightly less than the car yard price. The savings are larger for less common models that dealers mark up heavily. But you need to factor in time (8-12 weeks) and the risk of getting a car that does not match the auction listing.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Japan to Zambia?
Freight from Japan to Dar es Salaam or Durban typically costs $900-$1,500 for a small hatchback like a Honda Fit (K17,000-K29,000 at current rates). Larger SUVs and trucks cost more because they take up more RORO or container space. Dealers like SBT usually bundle the vehicle price, freight, and insurance into a single CIF total.
What is the total landed cost of importing a Honda Fit?
A 2014 Honda Fit (1300cc, 5+ years old) typically costs between K88,000 and K111,000 fully landed. The CIF price from Japan (vehicle + freight + insurance) runs K48,000-K63,000. ZRA duty adds K29,614.56. The remaining K10,000-K18,000 covers Jevic, clearing agent, port charges, transport to Zambia, and RTSA registration. Use our total landed cost calculator to estimate the full cost for your specific vehicle.
Can I import a car older than 10 years into Zambia?
Yes. Zambia does not have an age limit for vehicle imports. Cars older than 5 years all fall in the same "5+ years" duty band, so a 10-year-old car pays the same duty as a 15-year-old car of the same type. The only restriction is that the vehicle must pass the RTSA fitness inspection before it can be registered for road use.
Sources
Zambia Revenue Authority - Customs procedures and border operations
RTSA - Vehicle fitness and registration requirements