Import a Toyota IST from Japan to Tanzania
The IST is a small 1.3L or 1.5L hatchback that Dar es Salaam dealers say sells on fuel cost, resale value and spare parts. Here is what is in stock in Japan, what exporters ask and how TRA tax is worked out.
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Updated 7 November 2026
Why the IST sells in Tanzania
In May 2026 a Dar es Salaam dealer told The Citizen that high fuel prices push buyers to compact cars such as the IST. Another dealer in the same report put its popularity partly down to resale value and the easy supply of spare parts.
It has topped Tanzanian lists for years. The Citizen's 2020 list of the five best-selling used Japanese cars in Tanzania, compiled from seller platforms, put it first and called it common with Uber drivers. It is also first in BE FORWARD's list of popular cars in Tanzania under USD 1,600.
Of the ten models we researched, the IST had the most Google search suggestions from Tanzania, in English and Swahili, such as "toyota ist price in tanzania" and "bei ya toyota ist tanzania".
Years, engines and grades in Japanese stock
| First generation (2002 – 2007) | NCP60 1.3L; NCP61 and NCP65 1.5L (NCP65 is 4WD). Grades seen: 1.3F L Edition, 1.3F HID Selection, 1.5F, 1.5S. |
|---|---|
| Second generation (2007 – 2015) | NCP110 and NCP115 1.5L; ZSP110 1.8L. Grades seen: 150X, 150X Special Edition, 180G, G. |
| Newest in stock | 2015. We found no IST newer than 2015 for sale in Japan. |
| Mileage seen | About 26,000 – 139,000 km; most first-generation cars show 60,000 – 100,000 km. |
| Stock in Japan | 27 ISTs on one large exporter marketplace (TCV) on 7 November 2026. |
What exporters in Japan ask for a IST
USD 2,650 – 5,955 FOB
Dealer asking prices in Japan, checked 7 November 2026
Six listings from five different exporters on TCV: a 2004 1.3L at the low end, a 2015 G 1.5L at the top, 46,000 – 132,000 km.
These are asking prices for cars in Japan before freight, inspection and Tanzanian tax. BE FORWARD's blog gives a lower range of about USD 1,400 – 3,500 (undated).
Indicative only. This is not a price offer from us. The real price depends on the exact car, its grade, mileage and condition, and on the day it is bought.
How the landed cost is worked out
This is how the cost of a Toyota IST landed in Dar es Salaam is built. We do not show a total: the TRA used-car calculator could not be reached when we checked on 7 November 2026, and some of the July 2026 excise rules are still unclear.
| Car price (FOB) | Our price for the car in Japan in your quote, including the auction purchase and transport to the port. |
|---|---|
| Freight to Dar es Salaam (RoRo) | Broker estimates for a sedan are about USD 1,100 – 2,000 (undated, low confidence). We quote the current rate for your car. |
| TBS inspection in Japan | Required before the car is loaded. We arrange it and it is in your quote. |
| Import duty | 25% of the customs value. Exporter guides work it out on the CIF value: car price plus freight and insurance. |
| Excise by age | About 35% for most ISTs (about 2006 – 2015 cars, 10 to 20 years old) and 40% for cars from about 2005 and older (over 20 years). From 1 July 2026. |
| Excise by engine size | 1.3L and 1.5L: guides disagree (0% or 5%). 1.8L: possibly 10%. Whether this adds to the age excise or is replaced by it is not clear. Confirm with your clearing agent. |
| VAT | 18%, paid to TRA at clearing (exporter guides). |
| Railway Development Levy | 1.5% of the customs value. |
| Port and clearing charges | One exporter guide gives about TZS 1.5 – 3 million for port charges (single source). Ask your clearing agent. |
Rates come from news reports, a law-firm summary and exporter guides read on 7 November 2026, not from TRA. Which years fall in which age band is our own rough reading, because how TRA counts age is not published in what we read. Confirm the total with your clearing agent or the TRA calculator before you pay a deposit.
Tanzania rules that matter for the IST
Age excise: most ISTs pay 35% or 40%
From 1 July 2026 Tanzania charges excise of 18% on cars more than 8 and up to 10 years old, 35% on more than 10 and up to 20 years, and 40% on cars over 20 years. The newest IST in stock is a 2015 car, about 11 years old in 2026, so an IST lands in the 35% band, or the 40% band for cars from about 2005 and older. Age is counted from the year of manufacture, and exporters usually list the registration year, so we ask for the manufacture date before you choose.
Engine-size excise: confirm with your agent
The 1.3L and 1.5L engines are above 1,000cc. Above 1,000cc the guides disagree: one gives 0% up to 1,500cc and 10% for 1,501 – 2,500cc, another gives 5% for 1,000 – 2,000cc and 10% above. The 1.8L 180G may fall in the 10% band. Your clearing agent can check your exact car.
Updated 7 November 2026
Paying safely and avoiding scams
Pay a company account, never a personal one
Buyers in Tanzania and Kenya have lost money to fake Japanese exporters. Pay only into the exporter's company bank account, in the company's name. If anyone asks you to pay a personal account or a different name, stop and ask us on WhatsApp.
Approve the car before you pay
We send you the auction sheet and photos before we bid. You approve the car and the price before any deposit.
Check the inspection certificate
Your car needs a TBS roadworthiness inspection in Japan, and TBS names EAA Company Ltd as the agent for Japan. Ask for the certificate and check it before the car sails.
Watch for copied websites
Some scammers copy a real exporter's website or listings and give their own bank details. Check the web address carefully, and talk to the exporter on a number you already know before you send money.
Toyota IST to Tanzania: questions buyers ask
What is the Toyota IST price in Tanzania?
We cannot give one price, because it depends on the car's year, grade and condition and on Tanzanian tax. In Japan, exporters were asking USD 2,650 – 5,955 FOB for the ISTs we checked on 7 November 2026. Freight, inspection, import duty, excise, VAT and clearing come on top. Send us your budget and we tell you which years fit.
Which IST year is best to import to Tanzania in 2026?
There is no IST in Japan young enough for the 18% age band: the newest are 2015 cars, which pay 35%. Cars from about 2005 and older pay 40%. A 2007 – 2015 second-generation car keeps you out of the top band. We confirm the manufacture date before you commit.
Is the IST 1.3 or 1.5 cheaper to clear in Tanzania?
We cannot say yet. Both are above 1,000cc, where guides disagree on the engine excise (0% or 5%), and the 1.8L may pay 10%. Your clearing agent or the TRA calculator gives the exact figure for the car you pick.
Can you ship a IST to Dar es Salaam for me?
Yes. We bid at the auction in Japan, arrange the TBS inspection, ship the car to Dar es Salaam and send your clearing agent the documents. You approve the auction sheet and photos before we buy, and you pay a company account only.
Other models we help with here
Read our full Tanzania import guide
Sources
- TCV, used Toyota IST stock listings from Japanese exporters (read 7 Nov 2026)
- The Citizen (Tanzania), "Subaru, IST dominate as Tanzania vehicle imports hit Sh352 billion in first quarter of 2026", 14 May 2026
- The Citizen (Tanzania), "These are the top five bestselling used Japanese cars in Tanzania", 2020
- BE FORWARD blog, "Most popular used cars in Tanzania under $1,600"
- The Citizen (Tanzania), "Importing a used car now costs more as Finance Act takes effect", 1 Jul 2026
- Clyde & Co, "Tanzania Tax Update: Finance Act 2026 Highlights", 3 Jul 2026
- TokyoCarZ, "How to import cars from Japan to Tanzania: full guide 2026", Mar 2026
- logi-net, Import regulations in Tanzania for Japan used cars (undated)