Tariffs are a key factor affecting automobile export trade, which is directly related to business viability, profitability and market competitiveness, and therefore exporters must focus on them.
Kenya: Under the East African Community (EAC) Common External Tariff (CET) system, tariffs on imported vehicles, including used vehicles, range from 25% to 35%. However, Kenya has incentives for pure electric vehicles, reducing the excise tax rate on pure electric vehicles from 20% to 10% in 2023, and all sales of electric vehicles are not subject to VAT.
Algeria: 30% tariff, 19% VAT, used cars less than 3 years old can be imported in order to promote the energy transition, Algeria automobile dealers imported cars at least 15% of the cars must be electric cars, imported electric cars can be exempted from up to 80% of the tariff.
South Africa: tariffs range from 0% to 45% on general merchandise, 30% on automotive parts, and 15% VAT on imports.
Tunisia: Import tariffs on electric vehicles and charging equipment in Tunisia have been reduced to 10 per cent and the value added tax (VAT) to 7 per cent, in accordance with the Fiscal Code of 2023.
Uganda: Tariffs on imported cars are about 25-35% depending on the displacement and age of the vehicle, in addition to 18% VAT
Rwanda: Imported automobiles will be subject to a 25% Common External Tariff (CET) import duty and all related taxes up to a maximum of US$60,000 in Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value in addition to a 10% import duty on buses with a capacity of more than 25 passengers, and exempted from duty for buses with a capacity of more than 50 passengers.
UAE: Used cars (except trucks) imported into the UAE are subject to a 5% customs duty, 12% for trucks, and 5% VAT at this time Used cars must not be more than four years old and only left-hand drive vehicles are allowed to be imported.
Cambodia: Starting from August 1, 2025, Cambodia implements a zero tariff policy for used cars imported from the U.S., but special tax and VAT are still required to be paid Prior to this, Cambodia’s import tariff for used cars was 35%, and the special tax was 30%-70% VAT was 10%.
Jordan: High tariffs of 60-100% on imports of hybrid and fuel vehicles, compared to only 10% for pure electric vehicles
Russia: there is no age restriction on the importation of used vehicles, but the combined tariffs for vehicles older than 7 years are higher, ranging from about 50% to 120%.
Myanmar: Used cars are imported with high tariffs, ranging from 50% to 200% depending on the type and displacement of the vehicle, and at this time are subject to commercial tax, stamp duty, etc., and there is a strict limitation on the age of the vehicle (usually no more than 5 years)
Thailand: High tariffs are levied on imported used vehicles, with tariff rates of up to 80-100 per cent for ordinary fuel used vehicles, and only some specific-use vehicles are allowed to be imported, with more restrictions on the importation of used vehicles for personal use.
Egypt: pure electric used cars are exempt from customs duties, only 14% VAT is levied, and only pure electric used cars produced in the last three years are allowed to be imported Hybrid used cars are levied different taxes depending on engine displacement, commercial vehicles are levied tariffs ranging from 3%-60% depending on the type of vehicle, age, and other elements, and other taxes such as VAT are levied at this time of the year.
Ghana: From 2024, an eight-year zero tariff policy on imported electric vehicles Ghana accepts imports of left-hand drive vehicles only, with an age requirement of no more than 10 years, and tariffs on non-electric vehicles ranging from 5-25 percent depending on engine requirements.
Ethiopia: bans the entry of all gasoline and diesel used vehicles and hybrids from February 4, 2024 Tariffs are 15% for fully assembled pure electric vehicles and 5% for semi-assembled pure electric vehicles and are exempt from excise tax and VAT.
Kazakhstan: Customs duty of 15% is levied on used cars 0-7 years old, and on used cars older than 7 years, depending on displacement, the duty charge may not be less than 06 euros ml or levied at 0.5 euros ml, but the duty may not be less than 15% and not more than 18%. VAT is 12%.
Uzbekistan: 0 tariffs for purely electric vehicles, with the main VAT levied at 12% Fuel vehicles less than 1 year old are subject to a tariff of $0.81.5 ml based on engine type and displacement, in addition to a fixed percentage tariff of 15%.
Kyrgyzstan: Used vehicles less than 3 years old are subject to a tariff of 10%15% depending on displacement. 20% of the cost value of the vehicle is charged as tariff for vehicles 3-7 years old, and tariffs are charged for vehicles older than 7 years at 143.2 euros per milliliter. zero tariffs on imports of purely electric vehicles will be charged at the end of 2025, and only VAT and inspection fees of 12% will be levied.
Argentina: Zero tariffs on electric hybrids with a FOB of $160,000 from February 1, 2025, with up to 50,000 vehicles imported duty-free per year; 20% excise tax eliminated on $40,000-$73,000 fuel vehicles; and the tax rate on luxury vehicles exceeding $73,000 lowered from 35% to 18%.
Serbia: Starting from July 1, 2024, the import tariffs of Chinese cars into Serbia will be slowly reduced from 5% to 20% to 0
