Buying an Imported Car in Zambia? Check Customs Clearance First

You have found the right car at the right price. The seller is in a hurry and the papers are "on the way". Before any money changes hands, stop and check one thing: has this vehicle actually been cleared through customs?

A statement from the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) at the weekend shows why it matters. In joint operations with partner law enforcement agencies from 5 to 9 October 2026, ZRA seized goods worth about K22.5 million and intercepted seven vehicles in Lusaka and on the Copperbelt. Three had been stolen outside Zambia and were impounded after checks against updated INTERPOL information. The other four were held for verification over registration problems, expired temporary-importation documents and customs records that could not be verified.

ZRA's advice to buyers was simple: verify customs clearance, ownership and registration with the authorities before you buy.

What ZRA's operation found

The operation targeted smuggling, illicit trade, motor vehicle offences and organised crime across five provinces: Lusaka, Copperbelt, North-Western, Southern and Western. Most of the value seized was cigarettes (about K14.1 million) and alcoholic drinks (about K8.3 million).

For car buyers, the vehicle findings are the lesson. ZRA warned that cross-border vehicle crime exposes buyers to financial losses, and that it will take action where offences are established. A car with doubtful papers is a risk you take on the moment you pay for it.

The papers a properly cleared vehicle should have

When a vehicle is imported for keeping in Zambia, it builds up a paper trail. Government guidance on ZamPortal and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) lists these as the key documents:

• Customs declaration (Form CE20) and release order from ZRA, showing the vehicle was declared and released.
• ZRA receipt for the duties and taxes paid.
• ZRA Customs Clearance Certificate (or e-Redbook), which RTSA requires before first registration.
• Interpol motor vehicle clearance from Zambia Police, applied for through the government eServices portal.
• RTSA physical inspection report and the registration certificate issued after first registration.

A seller who cannot show these, or who offers copies that don't match the car, is a warning sign.

Checklist before you pay for a used car

1. See the original registration certificate. RTSA needs the original for a change of ownership, not a copy.
2. Match the numbers. The chassis and engine numbers on the vehicle should match the registration and customs documents exactly.
3. Ask for the ZRA tax clearance certificate for change of ownership. RTSA lists it as a requirement for transfer.
4. Get the police report. RTSA's change-of-ownership requirements include a report from the police anti-theft of motor vehicle department, plus a physical inspection.
5. Be careful with foreign plates. ZRA's Integrated Border Declaration Form covers foreign-registered vehicles brought in temporarily by visitors and tourists for their own use. A car on temporary-import papers is not the same as one with a Customs Clearance Certificate, and expired temporary-import papers were one reason vehicles were held this month.
6. Don't pay in full until the transfer is done. Sign the RTSA change-of-ownership form together and keep copies of everything.

If the deal only works because the paperwork is skipped, it is not a good deal. An impounded car costs far more than a proper clearance.

Importing a car yourself: what to expect

Importing a vehicle directly, from Japan, Dubai, South Africa or elsewhere, avoids many of these risks, but only if the clearance is done properly. According to ZRA:

• Taxes on imported vehicles can include customs duty (between 0% and 40% depending on the goods), excise duty on certain motor vehicles, import VAT at 16%, a carbon emissions surtax based on engine capacity, and a motor vehicle registration fee.
• Duty is worked out on the value for duty purposes, which is the Kwacha equivalent of the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight).
• Consignments with a CIF value above USD 2,000 must be declared by a clearing agent on a Bill of Entry (Form CE20), lodged electronically before the goods reach the border.
• Incorrect declarations are caught. If what was declared doesn't match, the system raises an additional assessment and penalties automatically, and the vehicle is not released until they are paid.

After customs release, the vehicle still needs Interpol clearance, RTSA inspection and registration, insurance and road tax before it is fully on the road. Exact duty depends on the vehicle, so get a written computation before you commit to buying abroad and confirm current rates with ZRA or our team. For more on the customs process in general, see our importer's guide to customs clearance.

How Rayema Enterprise helps

Our Clearing & Forwarding service handles the customs side of importing, for vehicles as well as commercial goods:

• A written duty and tax computation against the ZRA tariff before clearance, so you know your landed cost before the car arrives.
• Lodging the Bill of Entry and managing any customs inspection.
• Checking your documents (invoice, bill of lading, export certificate) for gaps before they cause delays at the border.
• Freight and transport coordination from the port or border to your destination.

Standard clearance usually takes 1-3 working days once documentation is complete.

Your next step

Planning to import a vehicle, or a fleet for your business? Request a quote or WhatsApp us on +260 770 578 280 with the vehicle details and where it is coming from, and we will give you a duty estimate and a clear list of the documents you need.