Import Japanese Car to Burundi — Complete Guide 2026

Q: What documents do I need to import a car from Japan to Burundi?

Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance, OBR customs entry

Age Limit

Max 10 years

Manufactured 2016 or later

Import Duty

~42% total

~35–45%: EAC common external tariff + VAT 18% + excise

Steering Side

RHD

Burundi drives on the right but RHD Japanese vehicles are very common.

Transit Time

30–40 days

From Japanese port to Burundi

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Burundi's 10-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) — main route 🚢 Mombasa (Kenya) — alternative

📋 Required Documents

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

📄OBR customs entry

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Select vehicle under 10 years

Ship to Dar es Salaam

Transit through Tanzania to Burundi

OBR customs clearance at border

Pay all duties

STR (Service des Transports) registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

~35–45%: EAC common external tariff + VAT 18% + excise

⚠️ Important: Duty rates change regularly. The figures above are based on 2026 rates and are for guidance only. Always confirm current rates with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in Burundi before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Max 10 years

⛔Burundi is landlocked — significant transit costs

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

OBR (Office Burundais des Recettes) customs inspection.

🛡️ Safety Guide — Before You Buy

Always verify the auction sheet first. Get the original JP Sheet verification report before committing to any vehicle — confirms grade, mileage, accident history and all damage marks.
Check for flood damage. The Japanese inspector notes the word 冠水 (flood) in the auction sheet notes section. This is only visible with a full translation — never skip translation if buying for an important purpose.
Use a licensed freight forwarder who specifically handles Japan-to-Burundi imports. They know local customs requirements, common delays and documentation pitfalls.
Verify the exporter. Check the company is registered, has verifiable reviews, and provides a full paper trail including export certificate and shipping documents.
Never pay full price before the car ships. A deposit is normal — paying 100% before shipping is a major fraud risk.
Check the chassis number matches across all documents — auction sheet, export certificate, bill of lading and invoice must all carry the same number.