Tanzania Car Age & Excise Tier Calculator
Find the 2026 excise duty on an imported used car in Tanzania by age and engine size: 18%, 35% or 40% age excise plus 5% or 10% engine excise.
How vehicle age affects Tanzania import tax
Beyond the standard 25% import duty, Tanzania charges an extra excise duty based on the age of an imported used vehicle, to discourage very old imports. The Finance Act 2026 raised these rates from 1 July 2026, and because 18% VAT is then charged on top of the excise, age is the biggest single driver of what a used car costs to import.
The age bands (from 1 July 2026)
- Under 8 years from the year of manufacture — 0%.
- 8–10 years — 18% (was 15%).
- 11–20 years — 35% (was 30%).
- Over 20 years — 40% (new band).
Engine size excise
A separate excise is charged on engine capacity, on top of the age excise. Both are charged on the CIF value.
- Up to 1,000cc — 5% from 1 July 2026 (previously 0%).
- 1,001–2,000cc — 5% (most Toyota, Honda and Nissan saloons).
- Over 2,000cc — 10%.
So a 12-year-old 1,800cc car pays 35% + 5% = 40% excise on its CIF value, while a 6-year-old one pays just 5%.
Sweet-spot vehicles
The most cost-efficient imports for Tanzania are typically 5–7 year old, 1,500–2,000cc Japanese saloons (Toyota Corolla, Premio, Allion; Honda Civic; Nissan Tiida): they avoid the age excise, stay in the 5% engine band, and have a strong used-parts market in Tanzania.
Pair with the used car import tax calculator to compute the full landed cost.
Sources: Finance Act 2026 (Excise (Management and Tariff) Act s.126; HS 8703.21.90); TRA Taxes and Duties at a Glance 2025/26. Rates checked 27 September 2026.
Take this further
Age-based excise changes the economics of importing a used vehicle. Tawala Fleet keeps the acquisition cost, running cost and disposal value per vehicle so the next buying decision is made on your own data.
Not sure which module fits? Compare every option under Tawala solutions, or find the setup for your sector under Tawala by industry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the excise duty on old cars in Tanzania?
What is the engine size excise on cars in Tanzania?
How is the age of an imported car counted?
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