How to import a car from Japan to DRC Congo
How to import a car from Japan to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ?
DRC enforces strict age bans on used imports: since at least 2012 the DRC has prohibited importation of second-hand vehicles older than 10 years (and in many cases stricter limits apply depending on vehicle type). Additionally, many local summaries and import guides indicate practical enforcement against RHD in some provinces (Kinshasa historically restricted RHD vehicles for safety/traffic flow reasons) โ Congo drives on the right. Therefore a 2017 Alphard (RHD) would face two main obstacles: (1) the steering side mismatch with local traffic regulations and (2) local age restrictions/technical conformity checks. Even if you manage to clear customs, local registration authorities may refuse registration. Duties and taxes still apply if an import permit were issued; documentation and pre-shipment inspection are commonly requested. Practical recommendation: do not ship an RHD Alphard to DRC unless you have explicit pre-clearance from the DRC customs/regulatory authority and a local importer who confirms registration is permitted
Between January and September 2025, Japan exported 1,508 used vehicles to the Democratic Republic of the Congo[^18^]. While modest in volume, Japanese vehicles remain a trusted choice for durability and affordability across urban and rural regions.
Popular categories:
- SUVs and off-road vehicles
- Compact sedans and hatchbacks
- Light commercial trucks
- Minibuses and microvans
Top models include the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Hiace Van, Nissan Terrano, Honda Fit, and Toyota Aqua Hybrid.
๐ 2025 Import Trends for Japanese Vehicles in DRC Congo
DRCโs vehicle import market is shaped by flexible regulations, regional logistics, and growing demand for hybrids:
- Age Restrictions:
- Passenger vehicles (<10 seats): โค10 years old
- Buses (โฅ10 seats): โค7 years old
- Lorries and special vehicles: โค10 years, some exceptions up to 30 years[^6^]
- Left-hand drive only
- Pre-shipment inspection required for vehicles under 6 months old
- Conducted by DGDA, OCC, and Ministry of Commerce
- Shipping ports: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Mombasa (Kenya), Matadi (DRC)
- Transit time: 24โ34 days via RoRo or container
Taxation & Duties:
| Tax Type | Rate Range |
| Customs Duty | 8%โ46.1% |
| VAT | 8%โ13% |
| Excise Tax | 12% (vehicles >15 years) |
| Environmental Levy | 0.5% of CIF |
| Maritime & Admin Fees | Varies |
Latest trend (2025):
Buyers in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Goma are increasingly choosing fuel-efficient hybrids and compact SUVs. The Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit Hybrid, and Nissan Note e-Power are gaining popularity among professionals and NGOs. Demand for rugged diesel trucks remains strong in mining and agricultural zones.
๐งพ Clearing & Forwarding Agents in DRC Congo
Reliable agencies supporting Japanese vehicle imports:
| Agency Name | Location | Services |
| Malabar RDC | Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Matadi | National customs clearing, freight forwarding, warehousing |
| Captain Traders DRC | Kasumbalesa, Mokambo | City delivery, port coordination, vehicle registration |
| Ruzave Clearing Network | Nationwide | Import documentation, bonded cargo, inland transport |
These agencies assist with customs paperwork, inspection coordination, and final delivery across DRC.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
DRCโs rules on used imports are protectionist and age-sensitive: official and longstanding policy sets maximum ages for different vehicle types โ passenger cars under 10 seats commonly must be no older than 10 years from manufacture; buses/coaches and other classes have stricter ceilings (e.g., 7 years for large passenger vehicles). Right-hand-drive imports are treated variably in practice, and some provincial administrations enforce LHD preference/limits โ in many import guides RHD vehicles are accepted but may face additional local conversion or registration hurdles. For a 2017 Alphard (under 10 years), age would usually comply, but you must ensure VIN and technical paperwork match DRC requirements and that a pre-shipment inspection is arranged where required. Customs and port clearance in Kinshasa can include pre-shipment inspection reports, detailed documentation and payment of duties/VAT/port charges; turnaround and discretionary enforcement are real-world risks.
Practical action: hire an experienced DRC customs broker who can confirm whether RHD Alphard models currently clear without conversion in Kinshasa, obtain a pre-shipment inspection (if required), and produce full export titles and proof of de-registration from Japan. Because enforcement can vary regionally and penalties/detention are possible for non-compliant vehicles, a conservative approach is to confirm acceptance from DRC authorities or a licensed local clearing agent before contracting purchase and shipping.