Importing your car to Mauritius requires a methodical approach.
In 2026, the bill will depend primarily on your status, the age of the vehicle, its engine type, and customs and registration formalities. For a future resident or investor, the most costly mistake is often to initiate the shipment before verifying the import permit, the taxable base, and the documents that will be required upon arrival.mra.mu)
If your project is part of a larger estate settlement, also keep in mind that the EDB grants a residence permit starting with a residential purchase exceeding USD 375,000; this is a useful benchmark for considering the entire application, but this threshold does not replace the customs rules applicable to the vehicle.edbmauritius.org)
Who can import a car into Mauritius in 2026?
In practice, a distinction must be made between the process for a used vehicle, which involves an import permit and age restrictions, and the specific cases of dealerships or returns to the country of origin. Customs' public websites remind users that used car imports are regulated, and that those eligible for special status must verify their eligibility before any shipment.
- A used vehicle requires an import permit before shipment.
- A prospective property buyer should treat the car as a separate matter, even if their plan to purchase a residence through real estate is solid.
- Mauritian repatriates have a separate concession scheme, with its own rules on the vehicle, deadlines and maintenance of the concession.
To link this topic to your overall setup, the Practical guides for preparing to settle in Mauritius help to put transport, accommodation and overall budget into perspective.
Which used vehicles are accepted?
In Mauritian law, a second-hand motor vehicle is simply a used or refurbished vehicle. This seems obvious, but it is the definition that triggers the import permit and age check.
Age limit for imported used vehicles
| Category | Window accepted on the date of shipment | Point of attention | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private car | Between 18 months and 4 years | An exception is provided for the first vehicle imported by an individual importer. | Laws of Mauritius (lawsofmauritius.govmu.org) |
| Dual-use vehicle / double cab | Between 18 months and 3 years | The same exceptional logic applies to a first vehicle imported by an individual importer. | Laws of Mauritius |
| Freight vehicle, truck or lorry | Up to 6 years old | The official text designates vehicles older than 6 years as not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances. | Laws of Mauritius |
| Van | Up to 4 years old | The limit varies depending on the exact category at the time of shipment. | Laws of Mauritius |
| Bus | Up to 3 years old | The age is calculated from the first registration of the vehicle. | Laws of Mauritius |
The official text clearly states that the date of first registration is calculated from the date of shipment. In practice, this is the criterion that determines whether your vehicle falls within the permitted window.
Taxes, excise duty and fees to expect
From a tax perspective, the cost of a vehicle imported into Mauritius consists mainly of excise duty and VAT at 15%. The official MRA tariff schedule distinguishes between petrol/diesel, mild hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles. You can consult it on the official MRA grid for motor vehicles.
Official excise duty and VAT rates for passenger cars
| Engine | Tranches published by the MRA | VAT | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol / diesel | 0% up to 550 cc; 45% from 551 to 1000 cc; 55% from 1001 to 1600 cc; 75% from 1601 to 2000 cc; 100% above | 15% | MRA |
| Mild hybrid | 0% up to 550 cc; 25% from 551 to 1000 cc; 35% from 1001 to 1600 cc; 55% from 1601 to 2000 cc; 75% above | 15% | MRA |
| Hybrid | 0% up to 550 cc; 25% from 551 to 1000 cc; 35% from 1001 to 1600 cc; 55% from 1601 to 2000 cc; 75% above | 15% | MRA |
| Plug-in hybrid | 0% up to 550 cc; 15% from 551 to 1000 cc; 25% from 1001 to 1600 cc; 35% from 1601 to 2000 cc; 55% above | 15% | MRA |
| Electric | 15% if the power does not exceed 180 kW; 25% above that | 15% | MRA |
The same MRA page also details pickups, vans, lorries, and buses. For used cars, the taxable value is not arbitrary: it is calculated from the FOB of identical vehicles already imported, with a discount of 9% for the first month of use and then 1% per additional month up to 50%; failing that, the market value published in approved guides can be used as a basis, and vehicles from Japan can be valued using the online used car valuation tool.
The customs and registration procedure, step by step
- Submit the import permit application before shipping if your car is used. The official procedure is through the Mauritius Single Window System, and the application must be submitted before sending the vehicle. As a guideline, the ministry even provides a permit after shipment in justified cases, with a fee of Rs 60,000 for a second-hand vehicle.commerce.govmu.org)
- Prepare your identification documents and basic paperwork. For the first import of a used vehicle, the ministry requires at least a copy of the importer's identification or incorporation certificate to register them before applying for a permit.
- Upon arrival, customs calculates the taxable value and applicable duties. The bill of entry then becomes the central document for the subsequent formalities.
- For registration, the Registrar-General's FAQ specifically requests the import declaration or deed, the bill of entry, the import permit, and the fitness certificate required by the RGD.registrar.govmu.org)
Key point: For a used car, the correct order is always correct: shipping → customs clearance → registration. Reversing this order can delay the process and increase the cost.
Special cases: repatriated persons, concessions and vehicle storage
If you are a returning citizen of Mauritius, Customs allows a concession on a single vehicle or motorcycle, provided it meets the criteria of the scheme. The vehicle purchased abroad must be shipped in the applicant's name within 180 days of their return, and its value then benefits from special treatment on the first tranche of Rs 1.5 million. Concession rules for returning citizens They make it clear.
The concession is not a free pass: the vehicle remains subject to a tax restriction for four years, its absence from the territory must not exceed an average of 183 days per year during this period, and any sale or different use must be declared. The restriction is lifted by the Motor Vehicle Corridor Unit, and the process takes at least one week once the initial period has expired.
For a property buyer, the wealth benchmark remains the same: a residence permit becomes relevant for residential properties exceeding USD 375,000, but car imports must still be analyzed separately.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalized tax, customs, or legal advice. To identify the entity that publishes the site, the legal notices are available.
FAQ about importing a car to Mauritius
What are the conditions for importing a car into Mauritius in 2026?
The basic requirement is simple: for a used car, an import permit is required before shipment, the vehicle must meet age limits for each category, and then the customs and registration documents must be submitted. The application is processed through the Ministry of Commerce's electronic system, while the RGD (Royal Customs Administration) subsequently requests the bill of entry, the import permit, and the vehicle's fitness certificate. For those returning to their country of origin, a concession scheme may exist, but eligibility must be verified before purchasing.
What customs duties and taxes must be paid when importing a vehicle into Mauritius?
For a passenger car, the MRA applies an excise duty that varies according to the engine type and displacement or power output, plus a VAT of 15%. Used vehicles are valued on an FOB basis or, failing that, on a market price adjusted for the official depreciation. If the vehicle is imported under a concession agreement, specific rules apply, but VAT and duties remain central to the calculation.
What is the customs procedure for importing a car and obtaining registration documents in Mauritius?
Start with the import permit if the car is used. Then, the vehicle is shipped, cleared through customs, and registered with the bill of entry, the import permit, and the fitness certificate required by the RGD (Royal Road Traffic Administration). The official procedure is electronic for the permit portion, and the administration recommends following the order of steps to avoid delays or additional fees.
Is it necessary to go through the Vehicle Corridor Unit (MVC) and what are the requirements for importing a used vehicle into Mauritius?
No, the MVC (Minimum Vehicle Certificate) is not a universal step for all standard imports, but it comes into play in certain concession cases and for managing the tax relationship of vehicles receiving incentives. For a used vehicle, the priority requirements remain the pre-shipment permit, the eligible age, the customs value, and the registration file. If you are in a return-to-country scheme, the MVC becomes more important.
How long does it take to clear customs and register an imported vehicle in Mauritius in 2026?
The public websites do not provide a single, guaranteed timeframe for everyone. The processing time depends on the permit, transportation, customs valuation, document verification, and final registration. The only timeframe explicitly stated on the official websites concerns the lifting of the tax link after a concession agreement: the procedure takes at least one week once the four-year period has elapsed and the application has been submitted.
And now ?
If your expatriation or investment project in Mauritius also includes housing, banking, schools, or starting a business, the most effective approach is to treat the car as one piece of the overall puzzle. Browse the practical guides for expatriation, then return to the Expat Mauritius homepage to request a free evaluation via the website form and to frame your project step by step.
