Second-hand vehicle import patterns shift

Second-hand vehicle imports into southern Africa have undergone significant shifts due to a combination of South African customs regulations and the Japanese tsunami. Concerns over undeclared water damage to Japanese vehicles – previously the secondhand car of choice – have seen importers look to Britain, Europe and the United States instead, according to shippers interviewed by FTW in Zambia. South Africa’s insistence that all secondhand vehicles also be transported on car carriers from ports of entry has also seen importers moving to Dar es Salaam, Maputo and Walvis Bay, which recently handled a record (for the port) of 735. The consignment, facilitated by Novaship Namibia, a member of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), originated from North West Continent and the United Kingdom. Approximately 5% of the vehicles are destined for Botswana, 15% for Zambia and 80% for Zimbabwe, according to Agnetha Mouton, marketing and communications officer of the WBCG. The consignment was shipped by an NMT Line ro-ro vessel, which reached Walvis Bay 16 days after departing from Sheerness in the UK. The Walvis Bay Corridors, through the Port of Walvis Bay, have become a prominent alternative for importers and exporters of vehicles in the region.