What Documents Do You Need To Import A Car From Japan To Africa?

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Importing a used car from Japan is a smart move for many African buyers. Japan’s auction system offers high-quality, low-mileage cars at affordable prices—but to ensure smooth delivery and clearance, having the right documents is critical.

Whether you’re importing to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, or Ghana, this guide will walk you through the essential documents required to import a car from Japan to Africa, with country-specific tips to avoid delays, penalties, or loss.

Understanding the Import Process: A Quick Overview

Before diving into the paperwork, it helps to understand the typical import journey:

Car Selection – Choose your car via auction or exporter portal.
Payment & Export Preparation – Car is prepared, inspected, and documents are compiled.
Shipping – Vehicle is shipped via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) or container to your port.
Arrival & Clearing – Customs clearing agents handle duties and inspections.
Registration & Delivery – Vehicle is road-ready and delivered to you.

Having all documentation ready before the car reaches your local port reduces clearing costs, avoids storage fees, and speeds up registration.

Key Documents Required to Import a Car from Japan to Africa

Here’s a list of the most important documents you’ll need. Most are provided by your Japanese exporter or agent.

1. Original Bill of Lading (BOL)

This document proves shipment of the vehicle from Japan to the destination port. It includes:

Vehicle chassis number
Shipping date and route
Port of origin and destination
Consignee (your name or agent’s name)

Required to release your vehicle at the port.

2. Commercial Invoice

Shows the sale transaction between the buyer (you) and seller (exporter). Details include:

Car make, model, year
Purchase price
Vehicle identification number (VIN or chassis)
Exporter and consignee information

Required by customs to calculate duty and VAT.

3. Export Certificate (Deregistration Certificate / Japanese Registration Logbook)

Issued by the Japanese Transport Authority when a car is de-registered for export. It confirms:

Original owner
Year of first registration
Full vehicle specs
Mileage history

Required to prove authenticity and vehicle history.

4. JEVIC Inspection Certificate (For Specific Countries)

Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center (JEVIC) ensures cars meet safety and environmental standards. Mandatory in:

Kenya
Uganda
Zambia
Tanzania

No JEVIC = Clearance rejection at Kenyan ports.

5. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (Optional/Alternative)

Some countries may accept other inspection bodies like QISJ, ATJ, or EAA. Your exporter should provide this before shipping.

6. Insurance Certificate

Covers vehicle against damage or loss during transit. Not always mandatory but highly recommended.

7. Proforma Invoice / Payment Confirmation

Shows that payment has been made. Useful in disputes or proving transaction legitimacy to your local tax authority.

8. Translation of Documents (If Required)

Some countries (especially non-English speaking ones) require documents to be translated and certified.

Country-Specific Notes for Africa

🇰🇪 Kenya

Must have JEVIC inspection before shipping
Car must not be older than 8 years from the date of manufacture
Required documents: BOL, JEVIC, Export Cert, Invoice, IDF from KRA
NTSA & KRA clearances needed for registration

🇺🇬 Uganda

Accepts cars up to 15 years old
Mandatory pre-shipment inspection by JEVIC or EAA
Vehicle must meet Euro 4 emissions standards

🇹🇿 Tanzania

Accepts cars up to 10 years old
Requires JEVIC certificate
Tax based on engine size and CIF value

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Cars should not be more than 15 years old
No specific inspection body required but full documentation is needed
Import duty + VAT + levies can total up to 70% of car’s CIF value

🇬🇭 Ghana

Age limit: 10 years or less
Requires BOL, Invoice, Export Certificate
Optional inspection (but speeds up clearing if done)

How to Verify If Your Documents Are Genuine

Many fraud cases in Africa stem from forged or fake auction sheets and invoices. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Work with verified Japanese exporters or use agents like CarsKenya
Use JEVIC’s official portal to confirm inspection certificates: https://www.jevic.com
Ask for scanned original copies and verify exporter licenses
For Japan auctions, request real-time bidding logs or screenshots
Double-check chassis numbers across all documents

Remember: If something feels off, it probably is.

Common Mistakes That Delay Clearance or Cost You Money

Avoid these pitfalls when importing a car:

❌ Missing BOL – Vehicle cannot be released at port
❌ No JEVIC (for Kenya) – KRA will not clear your unit
❌ Age Limit Exceeded – Rejection at port and extra demurrage fees
❌ Wrong name on documents – Must match your ID/passport or clearing agent’s name
❌ Unverified auction sheets – You may end up with accident-damaged cars

Avoid headaches by using a licensed clearing agent and a reputable import company like CarsKenya.

How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does It Take?

Shipping Time (Japan to Africa):

Country	Average Time
Kenya	4–6 weeks
Uganda	5–7 weeks (via Mombasa)
Tanzania	4–6 weeks
Nigeria	6–9 weeks
Ghana	5–8 weeks

Estimated Documentation & Clearing Costs (Kenya Example):

Item	Estimated Cost (KES)
Clearing Agent Fee	20,000 – 25,000
IDF Fee	~2.25% of car’s CIF value
JEVIC Inspection	~12,000
NTSA Registration	~18,000
Port Charges	50,000 – 80,000
Total (Excluding Duty)	~Ksh 100K – 150K

Use KRA’s Import Duty Calculator to get duty estimates based on vehicle age, engine size, and value.

Final Thoughts: Be Document-Ready, Save Time & Money

Importing a car from Japan to Africa can save you hundreds of thousands—but only if you’re prepared. The difference between a smooth process and a nightmare often lies in getting your documents right from the start.

If you’re importing to Kenya or any other African country, work with experts like CarsKenya. We’ll ensure: