How much does it cost to import a car from Japan?

Check the age rule for your country first

Most Japanese-market cars can only be imported once they are old enough. Each country counts age differently, and the calculator above uses these rules.

• United States, 25 years (safety). A vehicle at least 25 years old can generally be imported without meeting the US safety standards (49 CFR 591.5(i)). NHTSA counts the 25 years from the date of manufacture, so the month matters.
• United States, 21 years (emissions). EPA excludes vehicles at least 21 years old in their original, unmodified configuration, counting the calendar year of manufacture against the year of importation (EPA Form 3520-1, code E).
• Canada, 15 years. A vehicle from a country other than the US must generally be 15 years or older, counted from the month and year of manufacture (Transport Canada).
• Australia, 25 years. See the Australia customs section below.
• United Kingdom, no age ban. A vehicle first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago might not need vehicle approval (GOV.UK, exemptions). Younger cars generally need approval before registration.

Two ways to buy

From an exporter's listing. Some exporters list cars with a price delivered to your port, which already includes ocean freight. You pay the exporter, the exporter ships the car, and you or your customs broker clear it on arrival.

At a Japanese auction through an export agent. Dealer auctions in Japan are generally open only to members, so overseas buyers bid through an export agent. You agree a budget, the agent bids, then arranges transport to the port, the export paperwork and the shipping. Your FOB cost is generally the hammer price plus the auction fee, the agent fee, transport to the port and export paperwork; the calculator's auction helper adds these up.

Shipping: roll-on roll-off or container

Cars from Japan generally travel either roll-on roll-off (driven onto a car carrier ship and parked in its decks) or in a shipping container, alone or shared with other cars. Roll-on roll-off is generally the simpler option for a running car; a container can suit a non-running car or one shipped with parts. Ask the seller or shipper for a quote to your port that includes marine insurance, and enter that figure above.

Customs at your end

United States

The car is generally entered with CBP through a licensed customs broker. NHTSA's declaration is the HS-7, with the 25-year exemption declared in Box 1 (NHTSA FAQ), and EPA's is Form 3520-1, code E for a vehicle at least 21 years old (EPA). Duty is charged on the price paid, not on the international freight and insurance (19 CFR 152.102(f)). The merchandise processing fee (FY2027 rates) and the harbor maintenance fee (19 CFR 24.24) are added on ocean shipments.

The duty layer depends on age. A passenger car of Japan made in a year at least 25 years before the year of entry is outside Section 232, and the Section 301 action on goods of Japan brings it to 12.5% in total from July 24, 2026 (Federal Register). A younger car is under Section 232 at 15% in total under the US-Japan arrangement (Executive Order 14345), though it generally can't be imported for road use under the 25-year exemption anyway. Light trucks and vans stay at the 25% base rate. See also our US customs page.

Canada

The car is entered with CBSA and recorded on the Transport Canada Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) as a vehicle not required to enter the RIV program, which covers US-specification vehicles (CBSA D19-12-1). The ban on used vehicles under tariff item 9897.00.00 does not apply once a vehicle is 15 years old (D9-1-11). The value for duty is generally the price paid, without freight from the place of direct shipment to Canada (D13-3-3). GST is charged on the value for duty plus duty plus excise taxes (Excise Tax Act s.215), including the C$100 air conditioning tax (Schedule I). The Green Levy can apply to a fuel-inefficient vehicle put into service after March 19, 2007; the luxury tax applies only to vehicles made after 2018 (D18-4-1). Provincial tax is generally paid when you license the vehicle. To claim CPTPP, the importer must hold a certification of origin, which the importer, exporter or producer may complete (CN18-22). See also our Canada customs page.

United Kingdom

Tell HMRC within 14 days of arrival using the NOVA service (GOV.UK), pay duty and import VAT, get vehicle approval if needed, then register with DVLA. VAT is charged on the vehicle cost plus delivery and extra charges plus duty (GOV.UK). The calculator uses the commodity code for a used petrol car of 1,500 to 3,000 cc (UK Trade Tariff 8703 23 90 00): 10% third-country duty, or 0% with the UK-Japan CEPA preference, claimed on a statement on origin from the exporter or the importer's knowledge (CEPA summary). A collectors' piece under heading 9705 (original state, at least 30 years old, model no longer in production) has 0% duty, and import VAT is charged on 25% of its value, an effective 5% (GOV.UK); HMRC suggests an Advance Tariff Ruling (classifying vehicles). Fees: IVA test and first registration. See also our UK customs page.

Australia

See our Australia customs page.

Duty and tax by country

This table reads the same figures as the calculator. Rates checked on .

Questions

Estimate only. Rules and rates change; confirm with a licensed customs broker before you buy. Rules and rates last checked on . This page is general information, not customs or legal advice.