Important Update: Driving imported in-transit second-hand motor vehicles is no longer permitted
Starting from March 1, 2023, the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has given important information to people who bring used cars into the country and to the general public. They have made a rule that all second-hand cars must come into Namibia on a special trailer called a car carrier. This means the cars cannot be driven on their own wheels anymore. It’s a new requirement for everyone who imports or buys a used car. Before this rule, people could drive their second-hand cars directly into Namibia without using a trailer. But now, they have to arrange for a car carrier to transport the vehicle. This applies to all second-hand cars, no matter their size or type. The purpose of this rule is to make sure that all second-hand cars are properly accounted for and that their import taxes are paid correctly.
This change is important for vehicle importers to know because they have to make arrangements to hire a car carrier when bringing in second-hand cars. The general public also needs to be aware of this rule because they may be interested in buying a used car and need to understand how it will be transported into the country. By requiring cars to be transported on a car carrier, NamRA can have better control over the import process and ensure that the necessary taxes and fees are collected. It helps prevent any misuse or evasion of taxes related to second-hand vehicle imports. So, from now on, if you want to bring a used car into Namibia, you have to make sure it arrives on a car carrier trailer instead of driving it on its own wheels.
The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has made changes to the rules regarding how vehicles are brought into the country. These changes were made because they noticed that some imported vehicles were being declared as in transit but were actually being sold in the local market and registered without paying the necessary import taxes. To fix this problem, NamRA has made an amendment to the Customs and Excise Rules. The purpose of these changes is to prevent the improper declaration and registration of imported vehicles, making sure that the required import taxes are paid as they should be. By doing this, NamRA aims to ensure fairness and compliance with the law when it comes to importing and registering vehicles in Namibia.
This announcement is being made to follow the rules set out in Government Notice No. 403, which was published in Government Gazette No. 7978 on December 15, 2022, in Paragraph 2(a)(1)(b). The specific second-hand motor vehicles that are being referred to in this announcement are listed in Annexure A of the Government Gazette No. 5293, dated September 23, 2013.