We ship used tires from Japan by the container. Lesotho has the lightest paperwork of any market in our research — the catch is entirely about timing, not difficulty.
Lesotho requires an import licence for “tires including used tires,” and it is automatic: no quantity limit, no fee, and a stated turnaround of two hours to one day once your documents are in order (Export and Import Control Act 1984, as amended, under the Import Restriction Regulations 2009). The official notice is explicit that the purpose is statistical monitoring, not restricting volume. The one condition that matters: the licence must be obtained before the cargo arrives. Apply once your bill of lading is issued, not after the ship docks.
Landlocked, and routed entirely through South Africa
Lesotho has no port of its own and sits entirely inside South Africa. Cargo lands at Durban and travels overland, typically crossing at the Maseru Bridge border post. Because the transit runs through South African territory, make sure your Durban forwarder and Lesotho-side broker are coordinated on the handover — this is not a leg to leave to the buyer alone. As members of the Southern African Customs Union, no additional duty applies on the South Africa–Lesotho leg itself.
The ocean route
We quote CIF to Durban, the port used for the overland leg into Lesotho via the Maseru Bridge border crossing.
We load from thirteen Japanese ports — Ishikari, Tomakomai, Hachinohe, Akita, Sendai, Niigata, Kashiwazaki, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe and Moji. Which one we use depends on where the stock is collected, not on where you are.
We do not publish transit times, because they depend on the carrier and the routing on the day. Ask us when you enquire and we will give you the schedule we are actually being quoted.
What fits in a container
- Passenger car tires (PCR), 12–17 inch — about 3,500 pieces in a 40ft, loaded 2-in-1 or 3-in-1
- Truck and bus tires (TBR), 11R22.5 single size — 288 pieces in a 40ft
- Mixed PCR and light truck — roughly 2,200 PCR plus 500–550 LT pieces
Full size lists and grading are on the category pages: passenger car tires, truck & bus tires, light truck tires and casings for retreading.
Terms and payment
We quote CIF to your discharge port. Marine insurance is included on every shipment. Freight is normally prepaid in Japan; collect at your end can be arranged if that suits your bank better.
Most customers pay by T/T. For a yearly contract we also work with L/C at sight.
FAQ — importing used tires from Japan to Lesotho
Do I need a licence to import used tires into Lesotho?
Yes, but it is automatic, free, and typically issued within a day once your documents are ready. The one requirement that matters is applying before the cargo physically arrives.
How does the shipment actually reach Lesotho?
By sea to Durban in South Africa, then overland via the Maseru Bridge border post. We recommend coordinating your Durban forwarder and Lesotho broker directly on the handover.
Is there a quantity or value limit on the licence?
No. The official notice states the licence is for statistical monitoring, not to cap volume.
What is the minimum order?
One 40ft container.
Can I mix sizes and types in one container?
Yes. Tell us the sizes and roughly what share of each you want.
Request an offer for Lesotho
Send us your discharge port, the sizes you want and the rough quantity. We reply with a CIF price and the loading schedule.
How the buying process works — from the first enquiry through inspection, loading and documents.
