As with every other country, some policies and regulations for importing used cars to Angola. Indeed, importing used cars from Europe, Japan, the US, and Canada to developing countries can be profitable. However, before you proceed, consider familiarizing yourself with the import policies and understanding the intricacies involved in each case.
Besides, this guide for importing used cars to Angola from Germany will help you plan your car importation and keep you away from unwanted surprises while saving you money and reducing stress.
Angola is a coastal Southern African country on the Western Atlantic coast. Namibia flanks it to the South, Zambia to the East, the Republic of Congo to the North, and the Atlantic Ocean to the West.
Many local Portuguese cuisines still reflect the country’s Portuguese colonial history. One of the famous landmarks of Angola is the Fortaleza de São Miguel, a historical fortress built by the Portuguese in 1576 to defend the capital city of Luanda.
Automobile Industry And Used Car Market In Angola
In this timely article brought to you by the collective effort of our team at CBB, we’ll tell you about the automobile industry in Angola and everything you need to know about used car importation to Angola. You’ll learn about the age restrictions on used vehicle imports, duties and taxes, and the required documents to clear your vehicle from any country when it arrives at Angolan port.
Stay with us as we explore together. The government plays an interferential role in many areas of business in Angola. Due to new government policies, the used car market in Angola has become quite large. Export cars from countries like the US, Canada, Japan, and Germany are the most sought-after by Angolan car dealers.
Angolan Economic Reality In Automobile Sales
The 2015 fall in global oil price economic realities forced the Angolan government to relax some restrictions on used vehicle importation to Angola. After the 2015 fall in international oil prices, the Angolan economy that depends on oil recorded a sharp fall in automobile sales from 2015 – 2018. Only in 2019 did vehicle sales show positive performance.
Reports showed 2,080 passenger cars in 2019, a rise from 1,825 units in 2018, indicating a resurgence in Angola’s automobile market. A significant percentage of Angola’s 32 million population are mid-income earners who rely on used cars from overseas as a palatable alternative to brand-new vehicles. Among the most popular autos in Angola are Volkswagen, Renault, Chevrolet, Jeep, Ford, Honda, Mazda, etc.
What You Should Know About Importing Cars To Angola
One important thing to do before importing used vehicles to Angola is to get an importation license. It will include other information, such as the certificate number (ARC number) and a transportation certificate offered by the Angolan Shipper’s Council.
Age Restriction On Used Vehicle Imports To Angola
Unlike the Republic of Benin, where there is rarely an age restriction on the importation of vehicles, Angola imposes restrictions on the cars coming into the country. You must be aware of these age requirements before attempting to import autos into Angola for any purpose at all.
Before August 2018, Angola enforced stricter restrictions on the import of passenger and heavy-weight vehicles. However, the downturn in economic realities and product needs of Angola caused the government of the day to review some of its restrictions to facilitate the purchase of both passenger cars and other heavy-weight equipment by its citizenry.
The latest Angolan car importation decree permits the importation of used light vehicles with a maximum of 6 years of use or manufacture, counting from the date of the first registered license.
Importing Lightweight Or Heavyweight Vehicles Into Angola
Angola allows the import of heavyweight vehicles like heavy road equipment, provided they have a maximum use or manufacture period of 10 years from the date of their first registered license.
Angola permits the import of heavy vehicles intended for passenger transport as long as they have been in use or manufactured for a maximum of six years from the date of their first registered license.
Before importing a lightweight or heavyweight automobile into Angola, you must present an inspection certificate, also known as a Pre-shipment inspection (PSI), by a competent authority from the vehicle’s country of origin. This pre-shipment inspection certificate must be valid for under six months and approve the car’s technical state and conformity with emission regulations.
Types Of Import Duties On Vehicles In Angola
Angola permits two types of vehicle import duties: Temporary and Definitive Import. Each import type requires different import duty payments.
Temporary Import Duty
Diplomats in Angola usually do a temporary import. It is a situation whereby diplomats and likes bring their choice vehicles for use in the country. The regulations and duties required for temporary vehicle imports are as follows:
- The car is approved to be used in Angola for two years with the possibility of a 1-year extension.
- 40 – 45% CIF value bond deposit must be made for the car.
- The bond deposit is refundable when the vehicle is re-exported out of Angola.
Definitive Import Duty
This applies to vehicles imported for either resale or personal use. For the definitive importation of used autos into Angola, the following applies:
- 40 – 45% tax based on the CIF value of the vehicle is required.
- 10% import tax plus VAT (except for pickups taxed at 5%).
VATs On Autos Imported Into Angola
Vehicles imported into Angola incur VATs based on engine capacity and fuel type. For example, a 1500cc petrol engine might attract a 10% VAT, while a 1500cc diesel engine could be subject to a 20% VAT.
Below are the VAT rates of different engine capacities and fuel types at the time of this writing.
For Cars With Gasoline Engines
| Engine Capacity | VAT (%) |
|---|---|
| 1500 cc and below | 10% |
| 1500 cc – 3000 cc | 20% |
| Above 2500 cc | 30% |
For Cars With Diesel Engines
| Engine Capacity | VAT (%) |
|---|---|
| 1500 cc – 2500 cc | 20% |
| Above 2500 CC | 30% |
Cars that arrive at Angolan ports undergo immediate clearance. However, if the importer lacks proper documentation and fails to complete the auto clearance within 30 days of arrival, they face a demurrage fee of 5% of the CIF value.
Clearing Your Vehicle at Angolan Ports
Importers must clear used vehicles at Angola’s ports upon their arrival. They should present certain documents to the customs authority to clear the car and receive permission for it to leave the ports.
Required Documents for Vehicle Clearance in Angola
Yet, this process is tedious, so hiring a customs broker in Angola to handle the clearing on your behalf would be a good idea.
Below are the documents you need for importation, which must be present for vehicle clearance at Angolan ports:
- Passport (with Angolan entry visa stamps)
- Original Purchase Invoice
- Letter of Employment (to identify the name, job title, and company of the person to receive the vehicle as employed by the company)
- Contributor Card “Cartao de Contribuinte” and “Resident Card” – copies
- Declaration of Value letter signed by the shipper
- Pack List – in English or Portuguese
- Taxation Number (importation license)
- Copy of airline ticket showing a valid coupon for a return flight.
- If the vehicle is for companies, an import license is needed.
Entry Ports into Angola
Angola has five seaports that serve its regions and provinces. It makes the distribution of imported goods pretty easy.
Luanda port is the main port of entry for import commodities, such as used automobiles in Angola. Although it is closest to the northeast provinces, it is also the best port for receiving and distributing imported goods nationwide.
Lobito is the second busiest port in Angola. It controls the sharing of imported commodities in the Central and East regions.
Namibe port is the entry port of the southern Angola provinces. It controls the reception and distribution of import commodities meant for the inland south provinces.
Other ports in Angola include:
- Port of Cabinda
- Port of Porto Amboim
- Port of Soyo
Other items you can import
Besides used cars and trucks, several related automobiles are imported to Angola.
Below is a list of other automobiles and equipment for import to Angola.
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
- Farm Equipment such as tractors and backhoes, etc.
- Construction equipment includes excavators, forklifts, pavers, loaders, and Haulers.
- Industrial Machinery and Equipment
- Large Vehicles and Dump Trucks
Key Learnings On Importing Used Cars To Angola
Angola is a coastal country with a population of over 32 million people. The used car market in Angola is quite large. Angola calculates import tax using the CIF method. It means the import duty and taxes are calculated based on the value of the imported goods and shipping costs.
An import license is the first document you need before importing used cars to Angola. However, you must also present a Pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by a competent authority from the vehicle’s country of origin before safely importing any used car into Angola. We’ve reached the end of this article discussing used car importation to Angola.
