Buy from Japan: Used Cars, Trucks and Parts for East and Southern Africa
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Buy from Japan: cars and parts that pass your country’s rules
Japanese used cars run East and Southern Africa. They are well maintained, honestly graded at auction, and right-hand drive, which is exactly what Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe need. The catch is that every country now has its own age limit and inspection rule, and getting one wrong means a car that is refused at the port or taxed at double. We buy through vetted Japanese exporters and check the rules for your country first.
Will a Japanese car be accepted in your country?
| Country | Age rule (2026) | Inspection before shipping | Our note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Manufactured from 2019 onwards | QISJ Certificate of Roadworthiness | 2018 cars are being turned away at Mombasa |
| Tanzania | 8 years from manufacture | JEVIC inspection | Older cars attract an age penalty that can roughly double landed cost |
| Zimbabwe | 10 years for passenger cars | Radiation screening on arrival | Often shipped via Durban or Beira |
| Uganda, Zambia, Malawi | Check before buying; rules and levies change | Pre-shipment inspection usually required | Landlocked: shipped via Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban or Walvis Bay |
| South Africa | Used imports limited to returning residents and immigrants | NRCS Letter of Authority before the ship sails | Not an option for most buyers |
| Nigeria, Ghana | Left-hand drive required | Not applicable | Buy Japanese brands in left-hand drive from the USA instead |
Sources: UFS Auto, “JP Used Cars in Africa: 2026 Market Intelligence Report” (April 2026); DHL on Kenya’s 8-year rule (January 2026); KMC Japan shipping information (2026). Rules change; we confirm them for every order.
What buyers source from Japan
Used cars & SUVs
Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda and Subaru from Japanese auctions, with auction sheets translated and checked.
Auto & transport →
Trucks, vans & buses
Isuzu, Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso and Toyota Hiace for transport and logistics businesses.
Auto & transport →
Japanese auction sheets grade the body and interior and mark every scratch and repair. A car graded 4 or above with a clean sheet is usually a safe buy; R or RA means a repaired accident. We translate the sheet and tell you what it means before you commit.
How it works
Model, year range, budget and destination country.
We confirm the age limit, inspection and duty for your country before you bid.
Through vetted Japanese exporters and auction agents, with the auction sheet translated.
Pre-shipment inspection (QISJ, JEVIC or as required) and the Japanese export certificate.
RoRo or container to Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Beira or Walvis Bay.
Clearing through our partners at the destination port.
Find a car or truck in Japan
Tell us what you want and where it is going. We check the rules and send matching cars from auction and dealer stock.
Your request opens in WhatsApp or your email app, ready to send. Nothing is stored on this page.
Questions buyers ask us
Can I import a Japanese car into Nigeria?
What is the oldest car Kenya accepts in 2026?
How long is shipping from Japan to Mombasa?
What does an R grade on an auction sheet mean?
Our sourcing hubs
Shop Wigmore Wholesale
Looking for a car from Japan?
Tell us the model, year and destination. We check the rules first and send you matching stock.
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