Driving in Tunisia

[Essem]

Hi Cyndi, As far as I know you can bring a car in if it is under 3 years old. I bought my car from the souk (car market) in Tunis in December 2003. I looked for ages till I found the one I wanted both at there and the souk in Sousse. Prices depend very much on types of car, age etc. What I did was, I chose a car but didn't let the seller know that I was interested and then let my Tunisian friends negotiate the price. Although I bought at the souk, it was a garage in Tunis that was selling it.

[Essem]

Hi Forgot to mention that earlier this year the police stopped my car and said it was on their computer as 'wanted'. Long story but it turns out that the Libyan gent who initially imported into Tunisia did not pay the import duty and on checking the former the carte de gris (registration book) it was found that the lady selling to the garage didn't exist. They impounded my car (I was in the UK recovering from major surgery when this happened!) but when I returned, I visited customs in Tunis and they said I was another 'victim' of this type of fraud. They were really helpful and arranged for me to get my car back (from the pound in Jendouba) the next day. Customs have since invited the guy who sold it to me to pay them a visit to clarify the situation. (I have to add all the paperwork & contracts I did were done correctly - it's just that the information I was given was falsified). In the meantime they have advised me not to sell my car (I wasn't going to do that anyway cos I love it!) and if the worst comes to the worst and I lose the car, this guy will have to reimburse me! Watch this space.

[kellyc]

Hi Essem,

This is really interesting to know and will keep this in mind, as I keep debating on whether to buy a car here and was told to visit the souk in Sousse or Tunis. Good luck and I hope it definately works out that the worst doesnt happen.

[Cyndi]

My car is new 2005 but I was not sure if they would try and charge an import tax or duties. It is my own car and I plan on buying a house in Sousse. So I would like to have my spare car there as well. I travel to tunisia about 4 times a year I dont want to rent a car everytime and I have looked at few cars there and the want to much for the cars. But like I said I worried about the import tax. Does any one know??? If it is your own person will you be charged a tax. My husband is Tunisian so I could put the car in his name. I am just trying to find out the best way to go.

[Essem]

Hi Cyndi,
As far as I know you would have to pay import duty - unsure of exactly how much but it's quite high, I've heard as much as 100%! If your husband lives outside of Tunisia perhaps he could bring it in. Tunisians living in Europe are allowed to bring a car in after one year and the import duty is a lot less. You can bring your car in and buy the paperwork called FCR to help make the car Tunisian costs around 2000/2200 dinars. You can also buy new cars directly from the main Renault, Peueot and most other dealers who have regular deliveries of new cars. Before I bought mine, I looked at a Renault Clio new and it was 14,000 TD direct from Renault, Tunis. Having said that, I paid for one and waited 3/4 months and they did not deliver so demanded a refund and bought the one I now have from souk/garage Tunis. (Could write a book!!)

[Essem]

Hi Kelly, The souk in Tunis is much bigger than the Sousse one and there is far bigger selection of cars. As I said I did everything the correct way and all the paperwork that I received seemed OK (the Sousse office for registration docs thoroughly check the carte de gris but they don't contact previous owners etc.). The way in which the authorities work there regarding imported cars didn't bring it to light until September 2004 almost 9 months after I bought it. I don't think the different departments are connected because since I'd bought the car, I'd MOT'd it, Road Taxed it, insured it and I'm also a resident so if they had all shared information they could have contacted me sooner (in April 2007, car was stopped in a village for driver not wearing seat belt!! - almost 3 years in between). When all of this kicked off, I contacted Peugeot in the UK and they were able to tell me exactly where and when it was first registered and then I contacted Interpol to try to find out if it had been reported stolen at any time but it hadn't so that was a bonus. You just have to be so careful! Didn't fancy my photo on wanted posters throughout the land!!

[Cyndi]

Essem,

Thank you so much that is a big help. I think I will just buy direct. I think it will be a lot easier. My husband is still in Tunis and he can not come to the US until June and never has been outside of Tunisia, So buying direct will be easier.

[ammulu]

I just feel it to be more exciting and more similar to my home country. I feel because of strict rules and regulations, there only lies one problem and that is if one goes wrong everyone is under trouble, but in my home town none seriously follows rules and everyone who drive are so cautious that they look around 360 degrees and always are alert, so accident rates are much less when compared to US.

[tater03]

wow that is high to ship a car. What is the reasoning behind the car having to be less then three years old? Just curious as to why that is. Thanks.

[Essem]

Hi Tater03, I'm really not sure of the reason but perhaps it's because Tunisia is already full of old cars that they don't want any more!!!