Import Used Trucks from China to Mozambique 2026: CIF Maputo Prices, Duties and Ports
Quick Answer
Importing used trucks from China to Mozambique costs $14,000-$32,000 CIF Maputo or Beira. Shipping takes 25-45 days. Mozambique applies 7.5% import duty plus 17% VAT on used commercial vehicles, with no hard age ban — but trucks over 8 years old face stricter condition checks and higher clearance fees. The sweet spot is 2016-2020 models.
Why Mozambique Needs Chinese Trucks in 2026
Demand is being pulled by four forces:
- Coal mining in Tete province — Vale, ICVL and Jindal are expanding; the Moatize mine alone runs hundreds of trucks.
- LNG in Cabo Delgado — the Mozambique LNG project restart is driving equipment transport and logistics demand.
- Port of Maputo expansion — over 29 million tons handled in 2025, feeding inland corridors to South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.
- Corridor road upgrades — the N6 Beira and N4 Maputo corridors need dump trucks, mixers and flatbeds.
Walk around Maputo and you will see HOWO dump trucks hauling construction material, Shacman tractors pulling containers from the port, and FAW cargo trucks running the EN1 to Beira.
Duties and Taxes (2026)
| Fee | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 7.5% | On CIF value (commercial vehicles) |
| VAT (IVA) | 17% | On CIF + duty total |
| Clearance fee | $200-500 | Depends on port and broker |
| Demurrage | $50-150/day | After 5-day free storage |
Landed cost example — HOWO 371 6×4 tractor at $18,500 CIF Maputo: duty $1,388 + VAT $3,381 = ~$4,769 taxes, landing at ~$23,269. Registered mining or transport companies can apply for reduced duty rates — but only before shipping.
Which Port: Maputo, Beira or Nacala?
- Maputo (primary) — direct Ro-Ro and container service from Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangzhou; 25-35 days; gateway to the Maputo Corridor.
- Beira (central) — the smarter choice if your trucks are heading to Tete coal mines via the N6 corridor.
- Nacala (north) — serves Cabo Delgado LNG and northern Malawi transit trade.
Documents You Need
Bill of lading (original), commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, vehicle registration from the country of origin, and the import declaration filed through the JUROS system. Missing documents mean delayed clearance and demurrage — get them right before the vessel leaves China.
Model Recommendations
HOWO and Shacman 6×4 dump trucks and tractor units dominate Mozambican fleets thanks to parts availability and simple Weichai-based drivelines that local workshops can service. Choose 2016-2020 units for the best balance of price, condition and remaining service life.
See our current used HOWO and Shacman stock, compare prices in our 2026 price guides, or request a CIF Maputo quote.
