ZCSA inspected over 39 thousand used motor vehicles in 2025

According to the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency […]

According to the Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), a total of 39,498 used motor vehicles were inspected in 2025 under its pre-shipment roadworthiness inspection scheme.

A report seen by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT showed that the figure represented a 38 percent increase from the 28,695 vehicles inspected in 2024.

The inspections are conducted in countries where vehicles are exported before they are shipped to Zambia, with the process aimed at ensuring compliance with Zambian Standard ZS 560: Code of Practice for Inspection and Testing of Used Motor Vehicles for Roadworthiness.

The standard is intended to keep unroadworthy vehicles off Zambian roads and contribute to improved road safety, particularly as Zambia relies heavily on used imported vehicles, most of which come from markets such as Japan.

The report further showed that Auto-Terminal Japan (ATJ) conducted the largest number of inspections at 36,297 vehicles in 2025, up from 25,855 vehicles in 2024.

Meanwhile, EAA Company Limited inspected 3,089 vehicles in 2025 compared to 2,613 the previous year, while Quality Inspection Services Japan (QISJ) inspected 112 vehicles, down from 227 vehicles in 2024.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Chiwala exports Chief Executive Officer who is also a Zambia-to-Congo cross-border driver, Chiwala Sikazwe said the inspection regime had resulted in some improvement in the condition of imported vehicles, although challenges remained.

“There’s a small difference. The trucks and buses coming in now, especially 2024 and 2025, look cleaner and the engines are stronger,” said Sikazwe.

However, he noted that the cost of maintaining used imports remained high, revealing that he spends between K80,000 and K120,000 per year servicing, repairing and replacing tyres on his 2014 Nissan UD truck.

“While ZS 560 inspections are helping, Zambia’s road conditions, overloading and speeding have continued to contribute to vehicle damage and road accidents,” said Sikazwe.

He urged government to complement pre-shipment inspections with additional checks at entry points such as Chirundu and Kasumbalesa, while also reducing the cost of genuine spare parts and strengthening driver training to ensure safer vehicles and roads.

Article by Philip Sinkala. Philip is a Journalist & News Analyst at the Zambian Business Times – ZBT