🇳🇦 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Namibia?
Combined import taxes in Namibia run about 38%–48% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $3,800–$4,800 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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Reference page, not a quoted market. We do not currently quote Namibia, so the figures below come from our 2026-06-12 compile rather than the country-by-country re-verification we ran on our active markets. They are here because reliable structured data on this market is scarce — but scarce is not the same as verified. Treat this as background reading and confirm every rate with a licensed clearing agent before committing money. For markets we do stand behind, see the verified list.
Key import facts for Namibia
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~38%–48% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~38%–48% of CIF
- Maximum vehicle age: 12 years
- Used-car imports: allowed (within the age rule)
- Driving side: right-hand drive (RHD)
- Local currency: NAD
Ocean freight to Namibia
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walvis Bay | $1,063–$1,250 | $3,000–$3,400 | 25–32 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.
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 | 15% | CIF | $1,500 |
| Excise | 20% | CIF + duty | $2,300 |
| VAT | 15% | CIF + duty + excise | $2,070 |
| Duties and taxes | 58.7% | of CIF | $5,870 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $800 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $400 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $17,070 |
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 Namibia
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) | varies | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | varies | per entry |
| Combined | $1,200 typical | per container |
Namibia is landlocked — the figures above cover the seaport leg plus in-bond transit, and are estimates. Confirm with your forwarder.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Namibia?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 38%–48% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $3,800–$4,800 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
What is the maximum age of car you can import into Namibia?
Namibia allows imported vehicles up to 12 years old. Older units are typically refused at customs.
How long does it take to ship a car to Walvis Bay, Namibia?
Ocean transit to Walvis Bay is typically 25–32 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule. (Freight figures are estimates — confirm with your forwarder.)
Can I import a used car into Namibia?
Yes. Used vehicles can be imported into Namibia subject to the age rule and standard duties and taxes above.
Does Namibia require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Namibia drives on the left, so right-hand-drive (RHD) 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.
- Angola — combined import tax 42%–55% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Botswana — combined import tax 40%–55% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Malawi — combined import tax 55%–85% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Mozambique — combined import tax 46%–55% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- South Africa — combined import tax 45%–85% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
- Zambia — combined import tax 70%–108% of CIF (not a market we currently quote)
Related guides
- Used-car age limits by country
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
- Left-hand vs right-hand drive by country
- Cheapest African countries to import into
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.