Export Cars
to Zambia
UK Car Export provides professional vehicle export services to Zambia 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 Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country with a growing vehicle import market. Vehicle imports typically transit via Dar es Salaam in Tanzania or Durban in South Africa. Right-hand drive UK vehicles are the standard configuration.
UK Car Source handles the full export chain to Zambia including sea freight coordination to transit ports, road transport onward to Lusaka and comprehensive documentation support.
Import Rules
| Drive Configuration | Right-hand drive required. |
| Vehicle Age Limit | Maximum 5 years from year of manufacture at time of import. |
| Condition | Roadworthy condition. Pre-shipment inspection recommended. |
| Customs Authority | Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) |
| Duty & VAT | Import duty (25%), excise duty and VAT (16%) applicable on CIF value. |
| Standards | UK-specification vehicles 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
20–28 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% of CIF |
| Excise Duty | 20% (petrol); 10% (diesel) |
| VAT | 16% |
| Carbon Tax | ZMW 300 per 1000cc |
| Age Restriction | No formal age restriction — vehicles of any age may be imported. Duty rates vary by age bracket (under 2 years, 2–5 years, over 5 years). Only RHD vehicles permitted. |
| Customs Authority | Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) |
Tax rates are indicative and subject to change. Verify with local customs authority before shipping.
Port Guide
Zambia is landlocked. Vehicles enter via Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) with road transit to Lusaka (~1,900km) or via Durban (South Africa) with transit through Zimbabwe. Beit Bridge (Zimbabwe border) and Chirundu (Zimbabwe border) are main crossing points. Nakonde (Tanzania border) is used for northern transit.
ZABS (Zambia Bureau of Standards) approval is required before clearance. Budget 3–6 weeks total from UK departure to Lusaka delivery including transit.
Local Market Advice
Lusaka and Livingstone are the primary markets. Zambia has no formal vehicle age restriction — vehicles of any age can be imported, with older vehicles paying higher duty rates. 4WDs are essential — Zambia's road network outside cities is challenging. Parts availability is best for Toyota.
The Copper Belt mining region has strong demand for work-spec Hilux and Land Cruiser. Prestige market in Lusaka: Range Rover, BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE are sought after.
Most Popular Vehicles
Zambia's vehicle market is dominated by practical 4WD vehicles built for a country where tarmac roads can give way to gravel and dirt tracks within minutes. The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series leads by a significant margin — the 76 Station Wagon is used extensively by Zambia's copper mining industry, NGOs, government departments and farmers in the agricultural heartland around Lusaka, Copperbelt and Eastern Province. Its low running costs, unmatched parts availability and exceptional off-road performance make it the rational choice across all sectors.
The Toyota Hilux Double Cab diesel is Zambia's most popular light commercial vehicle — found on construction sites, farms and in the fleets of nearly every business operating outside Lusaka. Mitsubishi L200 is a well-regarded and more affordable alternative. Land Rover Defender — both Td5 classic and new-generation — is popular with expatriate workers in the mining sector and wealthier Zambian buyers. The Nissan Patrol Y61 serves the market that needs raw off-road capability at a lower price than Land Cruiser. Zambia's right-hand drive requirement means UK-sourced vehicles are a natural fit with no conversion needed.
| Top Seller | Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series |
| Runner Up | Toyota Hilux Double Cab (diesel) |
| Prestige Choice | Land Rover Defender 110 |
| Budget Pick | Mitsubishi L200 / Nissan Patrol |
Common Questions
Which routing is better for Zambia — Dar es Salaam or Durban?
Both routes are used regularly and each has advantages. Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) is the shorter overland distance to Lusaka — approximately 2,000km via the TAZARA corridor — and benefits from high weekly shipping frequency from UK ports via the Suez Canal route. Durban (South Africa) is a larger, more efficient port with excellent infrastructure, and the overland route to Lusaka via Zimbabwe is approximately 2,000km. We assess both options for each order based on current shipping schedules, freight rates and transit time, recommending the most practical option for your timeline and budget.
What vehicles qualify under Zambia's 10-year age limit?
Zambia's Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) enforces a 10-year age limit from year of manufacture. In 2025, vehicles from 2015 onwards qualify; in 2026, from 2016. This is one of the most generous age policies in the region, making a wide range of quality UK pre-owned vehicles eligible — including classic Land Rover Defenders, 2015–2017 Toyota Hilux, and Land Cruiser 70 Series from the same period. These older vehicles often represent excellent value because UK buyers have maintained them to a much higher standard than equivalent vehicles in regional markets.
How is import duty structured in Zambia?
Zambia Revenue Authority calculates import duty on the CIF value of the vehicle (Cost + Insurance + Freight to Zambia). Standard import duty for used vehicles is 25% of CIF, with VAT at 16% applied on the CIF-plus-duty value, and a further excise duty for engine sizes over 1500cc. Total tax burden is typically 50–65% of CIF value depending on engine size. Despite these rates, UK vehicles are competitive because the quality of specification and maintenance history significantly outperforms locally available alternatives at similar CIF values.
Export a Vehicle to Zambia
Contact our export team today. We handle sourcing, documentation, shipping and logistics — so you don't have to.