What is the age limit for importing Japanese cars to Fiji?

Petrol/Diesel passenger vehicles: max 8 years (2018 or newer as of 2026). Hybrid passenger vehicles: max 5 years (2021 or newer as of 2026). Euro 4 emissions compliance is mandatory for all imported vehicles.

Japan Car Import to Fiji — Guide 2026

Q: What documents do I need to import a car from Japan to Fiji?

Import Permit from FRCS (must be obtained BEFORE shipping), Original Japanese Export Certificate / Deregistration Certificate, Certified English Translation of Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice (vehicle cost, freight, and insurance), JEVIC Inspection Certificate, Odometer reading certificate at sale and import, Passport or Identification Document, Agricultural Quarantine Clearance

Age Limit

Max 5 years

Manufactured 2021 or later

Import Duty

~70% total

32% fiscal duty plus 15% Import Excise and 15% VAT calculated on CIF value. Fiscal duty increased by 10 percentage points in July 2026 budget. Engine-based fixed levies apply: 2500cc to 3000cc incurs FJD $7,500, and over 3000cc incurs FJD $20,000 per vehicle. Total taxes range between 60% and 90% or more of CIF value.

Steering Side

RHD

Right-hand drive only. Drives on the left. Left-hand drive vehicles are prohibited except for diplomatic missions with prior Land Transport Authority approval.

Transit Time

14–18 days from Japan

From Japanese port to Fiji

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Fiji's 5-year age limit:

🆕 Latest Rule Changes

Jul 2026The 2025-2026 Fiji National Budget increased fiscal duty on imported used motor vehicles by 10 percentage points.

Feb 2026FRCS Public Notice established 2026 import age criteria requiring used hybrids to be 2021 or newer and petrol/diesel passenger vehicles to be 2018 or newer.

Dec 2024FRCS issued reminder notice setting 2025 vehicle import model year cut-offs for hybrids (2020+) and petrol/diesel vehicles (2017+).

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Suva Port (main) 🚢 Lautoka Port

📋 Required Documents

📄Import Permit from FRCS (must be obtained BEFORE shipping)

📄Original Japanese Export Certificate / Deregistration Certificate

📄Certified English Translation of Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Commercial Invoice (vehicle cost, freight, and insurance)

📄JEVIC Inspection Certificate

📄Odometer reading certificate at sale and import

📄Passport or Identification Document

📄Agricultural Quarantine Clearance

Was this documents list complete?

Thanks!

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Select an eligible RHD vehicle meeting Euro 4 standards and age rules

Obtain an Import Licence from FRCS BEFORE shipping the vehicle

Pass JEVIC pre-shipment inspection in Japan

Ship vehicle to Suva or Lautoka port

Engage a licensed Fiji customs agent for FRCS entry clearance

Pay fiscal duty, excise tax, VAT, and applicable engine levies

Pass Biosecurity Authority of Fiji clearance inspection

Pass Land Transport Authority (LTA) roadworthiness audit

Are these import steps accurate?

Thanks!

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

⚠️ Important: Duty rates change regularly. The figures above are based on 2026 rates and are for guidance only. Always confirm current rates with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in Fiji before committing to a purchase.

Is the duty info up to date?

Thanks — we'll review.

🧮 Live Landed-Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of importing a Japanese car to Fiji — including auction price, shipping, duty & taxes — in your local currency. Live FX rates updated daily.

Cost to import to Fiji

Loading live exchange rates…

Live

Quick pick:

Auction price ¥850,000

¥100k¥1M¥3M¥10M

Shipping (Japan → port) $1,500

$800$1.5k$2.5k$4k

Auction price—

Shipping—

Insurance (1.5%)—

CIF subtotal—

Duty & taxes (~70%)—

Total landed cost —

Approx. in FJD —

Vehicle Shipping & insurance Duty & taxes

Estimate only. Actual cost depends on auction fees, current FX, port charges, and customs valuation. Always confirm with a licensed broker before purchase.

🤖 AI Import Advisor

Tell us the car you're considering and our AI will give you an honest assessment specific to Fiji's rules — whether to import it, what to verify, and what to watch for.

Make

Model

Year

Auction grade (optional)

Your inquiry is sent to Google Gemini AI for analysis. Don't include personal information. Free to use, 5 queries per hour.

Reading the auction sheet rules…

Loading 0/10

…

Why it works

Drawbacks

Watch out for

Next steps

AI-generated guidance — not a substitute for a licensed customs broker. Verify auction sheet, current duty rates, and import permits before purchase.

Something went wrong.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔LHD vehicles prohibited (except approved diplomatic imports)

⛔Used petrol and diesel passenger vehicles older than 8 years prohibited (must be 2018 or newer in 2026)

⛔Used hybrid passenger vehicles older than 5 years prohibited (must be 2021 or newer in 2026)

⛔Non-Euro 4 compliant vehicles prohibited

⛔Salvaged or written-off vehicles prohibited

⛔Vehicles loaded or shipped without an approved FRCS Import Permit

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

JEVIC pre-shipment inspection mandatory in Japan for biosecurity and roadworthiness. Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and Land Transport Authority (LTA) inspection required on arrival.

🛡️ Safety Guide — Before You Buy

Always verify the auction sheet first. Get the original JP Sheet verification report before committing to any vehicle — confirms grade, mileage, accident history and all damage marks.
Check for flood damage. The Japanese inspector notes the word 冠水 (flood) in the auction sheet notes section. This is only visible with a full translation — never skip translation if buying for an important purpose.
Use a licensed freight forwarder who specifically handles Japan-to-Fiji imports. They know local customs requirements, common delays and documentation pitfalls.
Verify the exporter. Check the company is registered, has verifiable reviews, and provides a full paper trail including export certificate and shipping documents.
Never pay full price before the car ships. A deposit is normal — paying 100% before shipping is a major fraud risk.
Check the chassis number matches across all documents — auction sheet, export certificate, bill of lading and invoice must all carry the same number.

💡 Import Tips for Fiji

Obtain an FRCS Import Licence BEFORE loading and shipping your vehicle from Japan. Unapproved imports face mandatory re-export at your expense. Note the 2026 model year cut-offs: hybrids must be 2021 or newer, while petrol and diesel passenger vehicles must be 2018 or newer. All vehicles must be Euro 4 compliant. Heavy fixed levies apply to engines over 2500cc (FJD $7,500 to $20,000). Popular low-cc choices include the Toyota Aqua, Vitz, and Honda Fit.

❓ Fiji Import FAQs

Common questions buyers ask about importing Japanese cars to Fiji. Tap any question to expand.

What is the age limit for importing a used Japanese car to Fiji in 2026?

In 2026, used petrol and diesel passenger vehicles must be 8 years old or newer, meaning they must be 2018 or newer. Used hybrid passenger vehicles have a strict 5-year age limit, restricting them to models from 2021 or newer. All imported vehicles must also strictly comply with Euro 4 emissions standards.

Can I import a 2018 Toyota Aqua or Honda Fit to Fiji?

Yes, you can import a 2018 petrol-powered Toyota Aqua or Honda Fit since they fall within the 8-year age limit for standard petrol passenger vehicles. However, if you are looking to buy a hybrid version of these models in 2026, it must be a 2021 model or newer due to the 5-year restriction on hybrids.

Are left-hand drive cars allowed to be imported into Fiji?

No, left-hand drive vehicles are strictly prohibited for general import into Fiji. Only right-hand drive vehicles are permitted, as Fiji drives on the left side of the road. The only exception is for approved diplomatic missions that secure prior approval from the Land Transport Authority.

How is import duty calculated for a car imported from Japan to Fiji?

Import taxes are calculated based on the CIF value of the vehicle, which includes the cost, insurance, and freight. You must pay a 32 percent fiscal duty, a 15 percent import excise, and a 15 percent VAT. Note that the fiscal duty increased by 10 percentage points in the July 2026 budget.

What are the hidden taxes or engine levies for large cars in Fiji?

In addition to standard duties, engine-based fixed levies apply to larger vehicles based on their engine displacement. Vehicles with engines from 2500cc to 3000cc incur a fixed levy of FJD $7,500, while engines over 3000cc incur an FJD $20,000 levy. Combined with other taxes, total costs can range between 60 percent and 90 percent or more of the CIF value.

What currency are Fiji car import duties paid in?

All import duties, excise taxes, and VAT assessed by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service are payable in Fiji Dollars, abbreviated as FJD. You must ensure your financial arrangements account for currency exchange rates from Japanese Yen to FJD before clearing customs.

How do I start the process of importing a car from Japan to Fiji?

The most crucial first step is obtaining an Import Permit from FRCS before you ship or load the vehicle from Japan. Unapproved imports loaded without this permit face mandatory re-export at your own expense. Once you have the permit secured, you can arrange shipping to either Suva Port or Lautoka Port.

How long does shipping a car from Japan to Fiji take?

Maritime shipping of a vehicle from Japan to Fiji typically takes between 14 to 18 days. Vehicles arrive at the main entry ports of Suva Port or Lautoka Port, where they undergo quarantine clearance and customs processing.

What are the best and most popular Japanese cars to import for Fiji roads?

Popular and reliable choices for Fiji roads include the Toyota Aqua, Toyota Allion, Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Swift, and Honda Fit. These low-cc models are favored for their fuel efficiency, ease of maintenance, and strong local spare parts availability.

Can I import a European or luxury car from Japan with a large engine?

Yes, but you must ensure it meets the Euro 4 emissions compliance requirement and does not exceed the maximum age limits for petrol or hybrid models. Furthermore, if the luxury car has an engine size between 2500cc and 3000cc, you will face an extra FJD $7,500 levy, or FJD $20,000 if it exceeds 3000cc.

What documents are required for clearing a Japanese car import in Fiji?

You need an FRCS Import Permit obtained before shipping, the original Japanese Export Certificate or Deregistration Certificate, and a certified English translation of it. Additional paperwork includes the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, JEVIC Inspection Certificate, odometer reading certificate, your passport, and Agricultural Quarantine Clearance.

What is the biggest mistake people make when importing cars to Fiji?

The biggest and most costly mistake is shipping a vehicle without first obtaining the FRCS Import Licence, which results in mandatory re-export at the owner's expense. Other major errors include miscalculating the 2026 age cut-offs—such as buying a 2019 hybrid instead of a 2021 model—or failing to budget for the heavy engine levies on cars over 2500cc.

Updated Oct 2026 · AI-generated from verified Fiji import rules