Import a Toyota Corolla Spacio or Rumion from Japan to Tanzania
The Corolla Rumion replaced the Corolla Spacio. Every one in Japanese stock is now over 10 years old, so age excise is the big cost. Here is what exporters ask and how TRA tax is worked out.
Ask us about a Toyota Corolla Spacio / Rumion WhatsApp us
Updated 7 November 2026
Why the Spacio or Rumion sells in Tanzania
The Citizen's 2020 list of the best-selling used Japanese cars in Tanzania put the Corolla Spacio fourth.
Swahili searches for "bei ya gari" (car price) suggest the Rumion first and the Spacio too, and BE FORWARD tags its 2025 page on popular cars in Tanzania with both names.
We cover them on one page because BE FORWARD says the Spacio was discontinued in Japan in October 2007 and replaced by the Corolla Rumion.
Years, engines and grades in Japanese stock
| Corolla Spacio (1998 – 2004 in stock) | NZE121 1.5L; ZZE121 and ZZE122 1.8L. Grades seen: 1.5X, X Ltd, V Ltd, X Extra Selection, 1.8X G Edition, XG. |
|---|---|
| Corolla Rumion (2007 – 2015 in stock) | NZE151 1.5L; ZRE152 and ZRE154 1.8L. Grades seen: 1.5X, 1.5G, 1.5G Smart Package, 1.8S, 1.8S Aero Tourer. |
| Mileage seen | About 22,000 – 149,000 km. |
| Stock in Japan | 16 Spacios and 45 Rumions on TCV on 7 November 2026, which is thin. |
What exporters in Japan ask for a Spacio or Rumion
USD 1,800 – 4,214 FOB
Dealer asking prices in Japan, checked 7 November 2026
Seven listings from six different exporters on TCV: a 2009 Rumion at the low end, a 2011 Rumion 1.5G at the top. Spacios (2001 – 2004) were USD 2,177 – 3,369.
One newer Corolla was mislabelled as a 2022 Spacio in the listings. We check the chassis code on every car.
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 Corolla Spacio / Rumion 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 | 40% for every Spacio in stock (2004 and older, over 20 years); 35% for every Rumion in stock (2007 – 2015). From 1 July 2026. |
| Excise by engine size | 1.5L: guides disagree (0% or 5%). 1.8L: possibly 10%. Whether this adds to the age excise 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 Spacio or Rumion
Age is the big cost
From 1 July 2026 Tanzania charges excise of 35% on cars more than 10 and up to 20 years old and 40% on cars over 20 years. Every Spacio in stock is 2004 or older, about 22 years or more, so it pays 40%. Every Rumion in stock is 2007 – 2015, about 11 – 19 years, so it pays 35%. No car in stock is young enough for the 18% band. 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 1.5L is 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 may pay 10%. Confirm with your clearing agent.
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 Corolla Spacio / Rumion to Tanzania: questions buyers ask
What is the Toyota Spacio or Rumion 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 1,800 – 4,214 FOB for the Spacio and Rumions 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.
Spacio or Rumion: which should I import to Tanzania?
The Rumion is the younger car: those in stock are 2007 – 2015 and pay 35% age excise. Every Spacio in stock is 2004 or older and pays 40%. Their prices in Japan overlap, so a Rumion at the same price pays a lower age excise rate.
Is the Corolla Spacio still made?
No. BE FORWARD says it was discontinued in Japan in October 2007 and replaced by the Corolla Rumion. The Spacios we found in Japanese stock were registered 1998 – 2004.
Can you ship a Spacio or Rumion 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 Corolla Spacio stock listings from Japanese exporters (read 7 Nov 2026)
- TCV, used Toyota Corolla Rumion stock listings from Japanese exporters (read 7 Nov 2026)
- The Citizen (Tanzania), "These are the top five bestselling used Japanese cars in Tanzania", 2020
- BE FORWARD blog, Toyota Corolla Spacio articles
- 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)