Timor Leste Import Regulations

Vehicle Eligibility & Restrictions

• • Allowed drive side: Only Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles are permitted.
• • Age restriction: Light passenger and mixed vehicles must be less than 5 years old from the date of manufacture.
• • Exceptions: Vehicles imported by returning residents (owned abroad for at least 12 months).
• • Heavy passenger vehicles with more than 20 seats.
• • Heavy cargo vehicles (vans, lorries over 4 tons), agricultural, construction, or material-handling vehicles.
• • Vehicles imported under international agreements.
• • Vehicles imported for personal use identified as collectibles.
• • Vehicles considered of public utility and donated to registered charities.

Shipping & Logistics

• • Destination port: Dili.
• • Time of shipment: 20-28 days via RORO.
• • Vessel schedule: Monthly.
• • Inspection: No inspection required for importing vehicles.

Duties, Taxes & Fees

• • Import duty: 2.5% of CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight).
• • Excise duty: 35% of (CIF value + import duty).
• • Sales tax: 2.5% of (CIF value + import duty + excise duty) if vehicle cost is greater than $70,000.

Required Documentation

• • Certificate of title and registration.
• • Original bill of lading.
• • Commercial/purchase invoice.
• • Letter of request (for diplomats or aid workers).
• • Permit from National Director of Ground Transportation.