company news about How to Import Used HOWO Trucks to Zambia (2026 Guide) – Costs, Duties & Step-by-Step Process

usedhowotrucks.com — Updated April 2026

Overview: Why Zambia Imports Used Howo Trucks

Zambia is one of the most active used Howo truck import markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Copperbelt mining sector, expanding road construction programmes, agricultural logistics in Eastern and Southern Province, and a growing quarrying industry all require heavy-duty dump trucks, tractor units, and tipper bodies that the domestic new-vehicle market cannot supply affordably. A used Howo dump truck imported from China typically lands in Zambia at a fraction of the cost of a comparable new European unit, with parts available in Lusaka, Kitwe, and Ndola.

This guide walks through every step of the import process from selecting the right unit in China to getting your truck licensed and on the road in Zambia. Rules are based on current Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) requirements as of 2026. Always verify with ZRA or a licensed Zambian clearing agent before you commit funds, as duty schedules are updated annually.

This guide is based on our experience exporting 500+ HOWO trucks to African markets including Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria, with regular shipments to Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Durban routes, ensuring smooth delivery and customs clearance for our buyers.

Step 1 — Choose the Right Truck for Zambia

Before anything else, match the truck to the work it will do in Zambia and to Zambia's road and regulatory environment.

Drive side: Zambia drives on the left. Right-hand drive (RHD) is the standard and the practical choice. Left-hand drive vehicles are technically allowed but are less comfortable for Zambian drivers and can create licensing complications. All used Howo 6x4 dump trucks and used Howo tractor trucks we supply for Zambia are right-hand drive.

Model year: Zambia has no hard statutory age ban on used commercial vehicles, unlike some neighbouring countries. However, vehicles older than five years attract higher surtaxes, and ZRA's specific duty schedule is age-banded (2–5 years, above 5 years). For the best balance of import cost and remaining service life, model years 2015–2021 are the practical sweet spot for the Zambia market.

Engine and emission standard: Euro 2 is widely accepted and is the standard spec for most used Howo trucks exported from China to Zambia. Euro 3 units attract slightly lower surtax treatment in some duty categories. Euro 1 or below is not recommended for newer import year bands.

Recommended models for Zambia:

• Used Howo 6x4 dump truck 380HP — Copperbelt mining, road construction, quarrying
• Used Howo 8x4 dump truck 375HP — Heavy mine haulage, overburden, bulk aggregate
• Used Howo 6x4 tractor truck 371HP RHD — Copper concentrate haulage, container logistics, long-distance
• Used Howo A7 dump truck — Higher-spec operations, improved cab comfort, MAN-technology drivetrain

Step 2 — Confirm Zambia Import Eligibility

Before paying a supplier, confirm the following against current ZRA rules:

Vehicle age: Zambia currently has no statutory ban on the import age of commercial trucks. However, the ZRA specific duty schedule applies higher flat-rate duties to vehicles above 5 years old. Confirm the manufacture date on the engine plate and chassis plate before purchase, as ZRA calculates age from date of manufacture, not first registration.

RHD confirmation: Verify that the truck's steering is right-hand drive. Request a photo of the dashboard and cab interior from the supplier before paying.

HS tariff code: Used Howo dump trucks (GVW exceeding 20 tonnes) fall under HS code 8704.52.050 in the Zambia tariff schedule. Tractor units (heavy road tractors) fall under 8701.20. Your clearing agent will confirm the correct code for your specific unit, as it directly determines the flat-rate specific duty payable.

COMESA certificate of origin: China is not a COMESA member, so no preferential tariff rates apply. Duties are assessed at the standard MFN (Most Favoured Nation) rate.

Step 3 — Get a Proforma Invoice and Pay the Supplier

Once you have identified the unit, request a proforma invoice from the exporter. This document is used for your import declaration and duty calculation and must include:

• Seller name, address, and contact details
• Buyer name and Zambian address
• Truck make, model, year of manufacture, chassis number (VIN), engine number
• FOB price in USD
• Payment terms

Payment is typically by T/T (telegraphic transfer / bank wire). Reputable exporters such as Qingdao Alston Motors Co., Ltd provide the proforma invoice before any payment is made, confirm receipt, and issue a commercial invoice after payment is received. Never wire funds without receiving a proforma invoice with full truck details including the chassis number.

For Zambian buyers using local bank trade finance (letter of credit or documentary collection), share the proforma invoice with your bank at this stage so they can begin the LC process if required.

Step 4 — Pre-Shipment Inspection

Zambia requires a mandatory pre-shipment inspection for all used motor vehicles before they leave the country of export. This is one of the most important steps and skipping it or using an unauthorised inspector will cause rejection at the Zambian border and potential penalties based on the truck's CIF value.

Who conducts the inspection: Zambia accepts pre-shipment inspections by recognised inspection agencies. For trucks shipped from China, the inspection is typically conducted by an agency such as JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center, which also operates in China), EAA, or another ZRA-recognised body. Confirm the accepted list with your clearing agent before booking.

What is inspected:

• Roadworthiness and structural integrity
• Odometer accuracy
• Engine and chassis number match to documents
• Emission compliance check
• Tipping system function (for dump trucks)
• Tyres, brakes, lights, cab condition

Cost: Typically USD 140–350 per unit depending on the inspection agency and truck type.

Output: A Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (PSIC) or equivalent inspection report. Keep the original — it is required at the border and for RTSA registration. Reputable exporters, including Qingdao Alston Motors Co., Ltd, coordinate pre-shipment inspection scheduling as part of the export process and provide all vehicle documentation in a single export package.

Step 5 — Choose Your Shipping Route and Method

Used Howo trucks are shipped from China (typically out of Qingdao, Tianjin, or Shanghai) to Zambia via one of two main routing options:

Route A: Qingdao → Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) → Nakonde Border → Zambia

• Sea transit: approximately 22–28 days to Dar es Salaam
• Port to border (overland): 3–6 days via the Great North Road to Nakonde/Tunduma
• Best for: Buyers in Lusaka, Copperbelt (Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola), Northern and Muchinga Provinces
• Note: The TAZARA corridor upgrade is ongoing — road conditions between Dar es Salaam and Nakonde are generally passable year-round but can slow during heavy rains. Border processing at Nakonde has improved following ASYCUDA World upgrades under the EU-COMESA border post upgrade project.

Route B: Qingdao → Durban (South Africa) → Chirundu or Kazungula Border → Zambia

• Sea transit: approximately 25–32 days to Durban
• Port to border (overland): 4–7 days to Chirundu or Kazungula
• Best for: Buyers in Lusaka, Southern Province (Livingstone, Choma), Western Province
• Note: Chirundu is a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) and typically processes trucks faster than single-agency posts. Durban can offer lower freight rates for large units due to higher Ro-Ro vessel frequency.

Shipping Method

Used Howo dump trucks are shipped by Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off), bulk carrier ship or flat-rack container. Ro-Ro is standard for operational trucks and is generally cheaper per unit. Flat-rack is used when the truck exceeds Ro-Ro height/width clearance or when the buyer requests additional protection. Dismantled cabs are sometimes shipped in 40ft containers for older or lower-value units. Your freight forwarder will advise based on the specific truck's dimensions.

Documents the supplier must provide with shipment:

• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Sea Waybill
• Commercial Invoice (stating CIF value)
• Packing List
• Export Certificate / Certificate of Title
• Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate
• Engine number and chassis number confirmation letter

Step 6 — Pre-Clear Through ASYCUDA World (5 Days Before Arrival)

This is a critical compliance requirement introduced in Zambia from May 2024. All motor vehicles must be pre-cleared through the ASYCUDA World system at least 5 days before arrival at the Zambian border. Failure to do so attracts an immediate penalty of ZMW 500.10, and the truck may be held at the border pending rectification.

What ASYCUDA World pre-clearance involves:

• Your licensed Zambian clearing agent submits a Bill of Entry (Form CE 20) electronically through the ASYCUDA World platform
• Digital copies of all shipping documents are attached: Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate
• The system generates an assessment notice showing the duties and taxes payable

Appointing a clearing agent through ASYCUDA World: ZRA requires that importers formally appoint their clearing agent via the ASYCUDA World appointment module before the agent can file on their behalf. You can appoint up to five licensed agents. The appointment is made by logging onto the ZRA portal and selecting from the pool of ZRA-licensed clearing companies. Licensed agents operate at all major Zambia border posts including Nakonde, Chirundu, Kazungula, Katima Mulilo, and Livingstone.

Timing: Start the clearing agent appointment and document handover as soon as the vessel departs China. Do not wait until the truck arrives at the port of discharge. A well-run import typically has the ASYCUDA pre-clearance filed before the vessel arrives in Dar es Salaam, Tanga or Durban.

Step 7 — Pay ZRA Duties and Taxes at the Border

Once the ASYCUDA system has assessed the entry, the clearing agent will communicate the duties and taxes due. Payment must be made through a ZRA-approved banking partner before the truck is released. The main charges for a used Howo dump truck are:

Specific Flat-Rate Duty (Used Motor Vehicles — ZRA 2025 Schedule)

ZRA uses a specific flat-rate duty system for used motor vehicles, not an ad valorem percentage. The rate depends on vehicle type, GVW, and age band. For used diesel trucks (HS 8704.52):

Note: These figures are from the ZRA 2025 specific duty schedule and include customs duty, excise duty, VAT, motor vehicle fee, ASYCUDA processing fee, and motor vehicle surtax as a bundled flat rate. The above 5 years band applies a higher rate; confirm the current figure directly with ZRA or your clearing agent as schedules are updated annually.

Carbon Emission Surtax: Charged annually based on engine capacity. For a WD615 engine at 9.7 litres (9,700cc), this is a significant surtax amount — confirm the current ZMW figure with ZRA at the time of import, as the surtax schedule is updated regularly.

VAT: For vehicles where the specific flat-rate schedule applies, VAT is included in the flat rate. Confirm with your clearing agent whether any additional VAT is assessed separately for your specific entry.

How ZRA calculates CIF value: For used vehicles, ZRA uses the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight to the Zambian port of entry) as the basis for any ad valorem assessments. ZRA may benchmark the declared CIF value against its own vehicle valuation database if the declared price appears below market. Ensure the commercial invoice reflects the genuine transaction price to avoid valuation disputes.

Step 8 — Physical Inspection and Release at the Border

When the truck arrives at the border post (Nakonde, Chirundu, Kazungula, or Katima Mulilo depending on your route), it is directed to the customs yard for physical inspection. Customs officials cross-reference the physical truck against the submitted documents:

• Chassis number (VIN) on the frame matches the Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice
• Engine number matches the export certificate
• Truck is consistent with the declared HS code and GVW category
• Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate is present and valid

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has a presence at Nakonde, Chirundu, Kazungula, Katima Mulilo, Livingstone, and Mwami borders. ZCSA may conduct its own import quality check on the truck. Ensure your truck has no missing safety items (lights, mirrors, brakes) that could trigger a ZCSA hold.

Once the physical inspection is complete and duties are confirmed as paid, the ASYCUDA system generates a Delivery Release Order, authorising the truck to leave the border yard. Your clearing agent will collect this document and hand it to the truck driver or transport company.

Step 9 — Obtain the Customs Clearance Certificate (CCC)

After duties are paid and the physical inspection is cleared, ZRA issues a Customs Clearance Certificate (CCC). This is the critical document that proves the truck has been legally imported and all duties paid. Keep the original safe — it is required for:

• RTSA vehicle registration
• Interpol Motor Vehicle Clearance (Zambia Police)
• Future resale or transfer of ownership

The CCC is issued electronically via the ASYCUDA World system and can be accessed through the ZRA portal. Your clearing agent will provide you with the printed original.

Step 10 — Register the Truck with RTSA

Vehicle registration in Zambia is handled by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA). Once you have the CCC, the process involves three sub-steps:

10a. Interpol Motor Vehicle Clearance (Zambia Police)

Before RTSA will register the truck, Zambia Police must confirm via their Interpol database that the chassis and engine numbers are not flagged as stolen. Submit the application through the Zambia Police electronic service on the ZamPortal government portal. Required documents: CCC, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate.

10b. Physical Safety Inspection (Optional but Recommended)

RTSA offers an optional physical roadworthiness inspection for used imported vehicles. Although listed as optional, some RTSA offices require it for commercial trucks before registration. It confirms the truck meets Zambian road safety standards. Arrange this at the nearest RTSA office to where the truck is located.

10c. RTSA Registration and Motor Vehicle Licence

Submit the registration application through the RTSA electronic service on the ZamPortal. Required documents:

• Customs Clearance Certificate (CCC)
• Interpol Motor Vehicle Clearance approval
• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading
• Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate
• Proof of ownership (your name must appear on the Commercial Invoice)

RTSA issues number plates and a Motor Vehicle Licence (road tax). Contact RTSA Head Office at Premium House, Lusaka: +260 955 983 983 or info@rtsa.org.zm.

Full Cost Estimate for a Used Howo 6x4 Dump Truck (GVW >20T) Imported to Zambia

Total landed cost estimate (Lusaka/Kitwe): approximately USD 22,000–30,000 for a 2017–2019 model year used Howo 6x4 dump truck, inclusive of all duties, freight, and clearance. Add the ZMW equivalent of the specific duty at prevailing exchange rates. For a precise landed cost, request a full quotation from us including a duty estimate prepared with your clearing agent.

Practical Tips to Avoid Delays and Penalties

File the ASYCUDA pre-clearance at least 7 days before arrival, not 5. The mandatory minimum is 5 days, but building in an extra 2 days absorbs any document error corrections without triggering the ZMW 500.10 late-clearance penalty.

Ensure the chassis number on every document is identical. A single digit discrepancy between the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, and Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate will cause a hold at the border. Cross-check all documents before the truck boards the vessel.

Use a clearing agent with a physical presence at your entry border post. Agents operating at Nakonde, Chirundu, and Kazungula know the local officers, understand which scanner bay is operational, and can intervene in real time if a document query arises. ZRA maintains a list of licensed agents at zra.org.zm/clearing-agents.

Do not declare a CIF value significantly below market. ZRA maintains a vehicle valuation database. If your declared CIF is below the ZRA benchmark for the same model and year, the authority will substitute its own reference value, increasing the duty payable. Declare the genuine transaction price.

Retain all original documents. Zambia Police Interpol clearance, ZRA CCC, and RTSA registration documents should be kept with the truck at all times when operating commercially. RTSA enforcement officers conduct roadside checks, particularly on the Copperbelt and Great East Road.

Bundle shipments where possible. If you are importing three or more trucks, consolidating into a single shipment reduces per-unit freight costs and allows one ASYCUDA filing to cover the entire consignment, cutting clearing agent fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zambia have a maximum age limit for importing used trucks?
Zambia does not currently impose a hard statutory age ban on commercial truck imports, unlike some neighbouring countries. However, vehicles older than 5 years are assessed under a higher duty band in the ZRA specific duty schedule. Verify the current position with ZRA or a licensed Zambian clearing agent before purchase, as policy can change in the annual budget.

Can I import a left-hand drive (LHD) HOWO truck to Zambia?
Technically yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Zambia drives on the left, and LHD vehicles are uncommon, create driver visibility issues, and may face complications at RTSA registration. All trucks we supply for Zambia are RHD.

How long does it take to import a used HOWO truck to Zambia?
From payment to truck operating in Zambia: approximately 6–10 weeks. Sea transit is typically 22–32 days depending on route. Port clearance, overland transport, and RTSA registration add 2–4 weeks. Using an experienced clearing agent and filing ASYCUDA pre-clearance on time compresses this significantly.

Can I drive the truck from the border to Lusaka without RTSA plates?
No. You need either a Temporary Import Permit or RTSA transit plates to move the truck on Zambian roads before full registration. Your clearing agent can arrange a transit permit at the border post to cover the drive to your depot.

What happens if the truck fails the ZCSA inspection at the border?
ZCSA can place a hold on the truck pending rectification of safety defects. In practice, minor issues (a light, a mirror) are resolved at the border. Serious structural defects identified in ZCSA inspection could result in the truck being held for workshop inspection in a nearby town. This underlines the importance of a thorough pre-shipment inspection at origin.

Can I use a Zambian bank letter of credit to pay a Chinese exporter?
Yes. Several Zambian banks facilitate LC-based payment for vehicle imports. The exporter needs to be comfortable with LC terms and have a bank account that can receive LC proceeds. Discuss this with your bank and the exporter before finalising the purchase.

Get a Quote for Your Zambia Import

Ready to start your import? We supply used Howo trucks for Zambia directly from China, with full export documentation, pre-shipment inspection coordination, and shipping arranged to Dar es Salaam, Tanga or Durban. We work with Zambian buyers regularly and understand the ZRA documentation requirements.

Email: bruce@alstonmotors.com
Website: www.usedhowotrucks.com

Related pages:

• Used Howo 6x4 dump trucks for Zambia — current stock
• Used Howo 8x4 dump trucks for Zambia mining
• Used Howo tractor trucks RHD for Zambia long-haul
• Used Howo A7 dump trucks — high-spec Zambia fleet option