🇧🇴 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Bolivia?
Combined import taxes in Bolivia run about 37.5%–48.5% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $3,750–$4,850 in duties and taxes — before ocean freight and local clearance. Below is the full 2026 breakdown, then a free calculator for your exact car.
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Key import facts for Bolivia
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~37.5%–48.5% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~14.9%–16.2% of CIF (EV incentives apply)
- Maximum vehicle age: 2 years
- Used-car imports: restricted — verify conditions
- Driving side: left-hand drive (LHD)
- Local currency: BOB
Ocean freight to Bolivia
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Paz (via Arica, CL) | $1,563–$1,938 | $3,450–$4,150 | 40–52 days |
| Santa Cruz (via Iquique, CL) | $1,625–$2,000 | $3,450–$4,150 | 40–52 days |
RoRo cost shown for a midsize car (~12.5 CBM). A 40-foot high-cube container is shared across multiple cars. Figures marked * are estimates — confirm live rates with your forwarder.
Before you buy: entry rules for Bolivia
These decide whether a vehicle can enter at all. Getting them wrong costs a container, not a margin.
- Age limit: 2 years — counted from the year of manufacture. Cars, vans, minibuses and trucks are capped at 2 years old; heavy tractor units get 5.
- Steering: Right-hand-drive units must be converted inside a Bolivian industrial free zone — conversion done abroad is rejected at the border. Chinese LHD avoids this entirely.
- Fuel restrictions: No blanket diesel ban, but exhaust emissions must fall inside NB 62002 limits and refrigerant gases must comply with the Marrakesh Agreement.
- Pre-shipment inspection: Certificado Medioambiental + vehicle inspection (IBMETRO) — Mandatory environmental certificate from IBMETRO verifying exhaust emissions against NB 62002; vehicles are inspected in the free zone. Rebuilt, accident and flood-damaged units are refused.
Worked example: a $10,000 car, step by step
Every figure below is derived, not asserted — this is the same arithmetic our calculator runs. Base: $10,000 CIF (vehicle + freight + insurance at the destination port), a mid-size petrol car, new.
| Line | Rate | Charged on | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 10% | CIF | $1,000 |
| Excise | 15% | CIF + duty | $1,650 |
| VAT | 14.9% | CIF + duty | $1,643 |
| Para-fiscal levies | 1.1% | CIF — statistical, community and shipper-council levies | $107 |
| Duties and taxes | 44% | of CIF | $4,400 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $925 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $450 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $15,775 |
Excludes inland delivery, registration and any age-penalty tax. Change the vehicle, engine size or year in the calculator to re-derive this for your own unit.
Port charges and clearance in Bolivia
On top of duties and taxes you pay the terminal and your broker. These are not part of the tax figures above.
| Charge | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal / carrier charges (THC, DO, security) | $750–$1,100 | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | $350–$550 | per entry |
| Combined | $1,375 typical | per container |
Bolivia is landlocked — the figures above cover the seaport leg plus in-bond transit, and are estimates. Confirm with your forwarder.
Paperwork you must have
- Chilean transit (in-bond) documents
- DUI at Aduana Nacional
- age verification (2-year cap)
Important: Two clearances: transit through Chile, then final entry in Bolivia. RHD units must be converted inside a Bolivian free zone — Chinese LHD skips that.
Ask your carrier for 21–30 days of destination free time (demurrage/detention) at booking — congested ports and high inspection rates make this the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Bolivia?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 37.5%–48.5% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $3,750–$4,850 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
What is the maximum age of car you can import into Bolivia?
Bolivia allows imported vehicles up to 2 years old. Older units are typically refused at customs.
How long does it take to ship a car to La Paz (via Arica, CL), Bolivia?
Ocean transit to La Paz (via Arica, CL) is typically 40–52 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule.
Can I import a used car into Bolivia?
Used-car imports into Bolivia are restricted — extra conditions or approvals may apply, so verify the current rule with a licensed customs broker before buying.
Does Bolivia require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Bolivia drives on the right, so left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are the standard.
Compare with nearby markets
Duty, VAT and age rules change sharply across a border — the same car can land 20 points cheaper one country over.
- Chile — combined import tax 20%–21% of CIF
- Colombia — combined import tax 64%–70% of CIF
- Costa Rica — combined import tax 52%–53% of CIF
- Ecuador — combined import tax 60%–80% of CIF
- Peru — combined import tax 23.9%–66% of CIF
Related guides
- Used-car age limits by country
- Importing Chinese EVs: incentives and traps
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
Estimate your exact cost
Tax rates, car age and engine size all change the final number. Use the free AutoLanded calculator to get a line-by-line landed cost for your specific vehicle and destination port.