Export Cars
to Seychelles
UK Car Export provides professional vehicle export services to Seychelles for private buyers, trade customers and dealerships. We manage the complete process from vehicle sourcing and documentation through to international shipping and delivery support.
Request Export QuoteExporting to Seychelles
The Seychelles operates a strict vehicle age policy with preferential duty rates for newer vehicles. All imports enter through Victoria port on the main island of Mahé. Right-hand drive UK vehicles are well suited to Seychellois roads.
UK Car Source provides complete export services to the Seychelles including vehicle sourcing, documentation preparation, sea freight coordination and ongoing logistics support.
Import Rules
| Drive Configuration | Right-hand drive accepted and preferred. |
| Vehicle Age Limit | Generally up to 3 years from first registration for preferential duty. Older vehicles accepted with higher duties. |
| Condition | Clean roadworthy condition required. |
| Customs Authority | Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) |
| Duty & VAT | Excise duty on engine size and VAT applicable. Environmental levy also applies. |
| Standards | UK-specification vehicles generally accepted. |
Import regulations are subject to change. We recommend confirming current requirements with the relevant customs authority prior to shipment.
Major Ports
Shipping Options
Required Documentation
Estimated Timelines
Vehicle Sourcing & Preparation
1–3 weeks depending on specification and availability
Documentation & Export Clearance
3–7 working days
Sea Freight Transit
18–26 days sea freight
Customs Clearance at Destination
3–10 working days depending on port and documentation
Total Estimated Process
6–12 weeks from order to delivery (subject to availability and customs)
Import Tax Breakdown
| Import Duty | 25–35% depending on cylinder capacity |
| Revenue Tax | 15% (Business Tax) |
| Customs Processing | Additional customs processing fee applies |
| Age Restriction | No formal age restriction; roadworthy condition required |
| Clearance Body | SRC (Seychelles Revenue Commission) |
| Infrastructure Note | Small island — limited customs infrastructure; allow extra clearance time |
Tax rates are indicative and subject to change. Verify with local customs authority before shipping.
Port Guide
Victoria Port (Port Victoria, Mahé) is the only significant port in the Seychelles. Container ships call regularly from Mombasa, Mauritius, and direct from Europe. There is no dedicated RoRo terminal — vehicles must be shipped in containers. A 20ft container holds 1 vehicle; a 40ft container holds 2.
Container unloading and vehicle inspection take place at Victoria Quay. Budget 3–5 working days for clearance — SRC customs is generally efficient for small volumes. Arrange inland delivery from port — Mahé island is only 27km long so local delivery is straightforward. Ensure container booking is confirmed well in advance as sailing frequency is lower than larger routes.
Local Market Advice
The Seychelles has a high per-capita income driven by tourism. Range Rover Sport is the prestige symbol of choice. Roads are narrow and hilly — smaller vehicles have a practical advantage, but SUVs dominate among buyers who can afford the duties. The vehicle market is small; buyers are typically hotel owners, government officials, and tourism entrepreneurs.
Left-hand drive vehicles are not permitted — RHD from the UK is ideal. Diesel is widely available. European makes hold strong prestige value. Container shipping is the only realistic option for vehicle import — factor this into cost and timeline. The island's small size means the market is relationship-driven; a local agent or clearing contact is highly beneficial.
Most Popular Vehicles
Mahé's terrain — steep, forested and served by narrow winding roads — puts a premium on ground clearance and manoeuvrability. The Range Rover Sport is the clearest status symbol among hotel owners and tourism entrepreneurs, while the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Fortuner are the practical choice for businesses needing to move staff and supplies across the island's hills reliably. The compact Suzuki Jimny has a devoted following for exactly the opposite reason — its small footprint makes it genuinely easier to place on Victoria's tight streets and steep driveways than a full-size SUV.
Government departments and tourism operators also favour the Toyota Hilux double-cab for its blend of capability and low running costs. Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan X-Trail cover the mid-range family segment. Because every vehicle — regardless of size — must be shipped by container, buyers weighing a large SUV against a smaller model should factor container utilisation into the total landed cost as well as the duty band.
| Top Seller | Range Rover Sport |
| Runner Up | Toyota Land Cruiser Prado / Fortuner |
| Compact Choice | Suzuki Jimny |
| Trade & Utility | Toyota Hilux double-cab |
Common Questions
Can a vehicle be shipped directly to Praslin or La Digue?
No — Victoria on Mahé is the only port in Seychelles equipped to receive international container vessels. Vehicles destined for Praslin, La Digue or any of the outer islands must first clear customs at Victoria, then be transferred by inter-island ferry or barge. We coordinate this onward leg as part of our logistics service and build the additional transit time into the delivery schedule for clients based outside Mahé.
Why is container shipping the only option, even for small cars?
Victoria has no dedicated RoRo (roll-on roll-off) terminal, so every vehicle entering Seychelles — from a compact Jimny to a full-size Land Cruiser — travels in a container. A 20ft container holds one vehicle and a 40ft container holds two, so pairing a shipment with another buyer's vehicle can meaningfully reduce the per-vehicle freight cost. We can advise on container-sharing options when timing allows.
Is there a real cost advantage to a smaller-engined vehicle?
Yes. Import duty in Seychelles is banded by cylinder capacity, so a smaller or hybrid-assisted engine variant of the same model attracts a materially lower duty rate than the largest engine option, on top of the standard 15% Business Tax and environmental levy. For prestige models in particular, we typically recommend the four-cylinder or mild-hybrid variant unless the client has a specific reason to need the larger engine.
Export a Vehicle to Seychelles
Contact our export team today. We handle sourcing, documentation, shipping and logistics — so you don't have to.