The process of buying and importing a car can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the rules and regulations. Many people are lured in by the promise of cheap online cars, only to be hit with unexpected costs and fees once the car reaches the port. This can be a frustrating experience, and it’s important to do your research and ensure that you have a clear understanding of all costs associated with importing a car.
In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the process of buying and importing a car from Be Forward, including everything you need to know about choosing the right car, navigating customs and regulations, and ensuring a smooth delivery process.
Note: While this guide mainly focuses on Tanzania as a destination, the same principle applies to other African countries.
STEP 1: Browse for Vehicles
Visit the BE FORWARD website at www.beforward.jp and create an account.
Search for the car you want to buy using the search function on the homepage and apply filters to refine your search based on your preferences.
For this demonstration, I will select a used 2010 AUDI A4 priced at $1,580.
The total price shown at the bottom of the page is $3,924 including cost, freight and BF warranty.
Convert this total to TZS (Tanzanian shillings) using any currency converter. You can use Google or this website 1 USD to TZS – US Dollars to Tanzanian Shillings Exchange Rate (xe.com).
For this vehicle, the total comes to 9,134,557.96 TZS.
Step 2: Record vehicle details
To get a better estimate of how much you’ll end up paying on delivery, you’ll need to take note of the following details about your vehicle.
- Make:
- Model & body
- Year of manufacture
- Country of origin
- Fuel type
- Engine
This information will then be used on the TRA website (Tanzania Revenue Agency) to provide an estimate on taxes. Before ordering a vehicle make sure you have checked how much the total cost will be. It’s very important!
You can acquire this information from the vehicle page. The photo attached below will guide you.
Step 3: Visit the TRA website
Visit the TRA website (https://www.tra.go.tz/) and click on calculator and tools> Calculator & Tool for Motor Vehicle. You can also access the tool directly by clicking this link Used Motor Vehicle Valuation System (tra.go.tz).
Now fill in the information obtained from Step 2.
Click calculate and you should see the total owed taxes.
From the information obtained on the TRA website, total taxes amount to 10,775,575.14 TZS.
And this is why it’s very important to first check before making a purchase. As you can see, the total taxes is actually more than the vehicle itself.
STEP 4: Calculate the total price
To calculate the total price, add the total from Step 1 (vehicle price), Step 3 (total taxes) and port costs (will depend on the vehicle).
9,134,557.96 TZS + 10,775,575.14 TZS = 19,910,133.10 TZS
The total for the vehicle will be estimated at 19,910,133.10 TZS or 8348.47 USD. This is an estimate, the final price might be slightly higher.
How to pick the right vehicle
Researching a vehicle online can be a great way to gather information about a car you are interested in. Here are some tips to get you started.
- Determine your needs: Decide on the type of car you need based on your budget, lifestyle, and purpose of use.
- Start with reputable websites: Some of the most reputable websites for researching vehicles include Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports.
- Use car comparison tools: These tools can help you compare different cars side by side, including features, specifications, and pricing.
- Check reviews: Look for professional reviews as well as consumer reviews to get a well-rounded idea of the car’s performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction.
- Check safety ratings: Safety is an essential aspect of any vehicle, and you should always check the safety ratings of any car you are considering.
- Check for recalls: Look for any outstanding recalls on the car you are interested in, as these can affect its safety and performance.
- Consider fuel efficiency: Depending on your driving habits and budget, fuel efficiency can be an essential factor to consider when choosing a car.
- Check maintenance costs: Some cars may have higher maintenance costs than others, so be sure to research this before making a purchase.
- Look for videos and virtual tours: Many car manufacturers, YouTubers and dealerships offer virtual tours and videos of their cars, which can give you a better sense of the car’s features and overall look.
- Consider the resale value: If you plan on selling the car in the future, consider its resale value and how it may hold up over time.
Important terminologies
FOB (Free On Board): This refers to the base price of a vehicle, which does not include additional expenses such as insurance, inspection, and transportation.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): Includes FOB (cost), insurance and freight.
