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

Max 10 years (AP holder imports). Personal import very restricted.

Import Japanese Car to Malaysia — Complete Guide 2026

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

Approved Permit (AP) — mandatory, Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance

Age Limit

Max 10 years

Manufactured 2016 or later

Import Duty

~250% total

Extremely high: ~200–300%+ total (AP fee + import duty + excise duty based on CC)

Steering Side

RHD

Right-hand drive. Drives on the left.

Transit Time

10–14 days

From Japanese port to Malaysia

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Malaysia's 10-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Port Klang 🚢 Penang Port 🚢 Johor Port

📋 Required Documents

📄Approved Permit (AP) — mandatory

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Obtain Approved Permit (AP) from MITI

Purchase vehicle (max 10 years)

Ship to Port Klang or Penang

Pay import duty + excise duty (can be 200–300% of value)

Puspakom vehicle inspection

JPJ registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

Extremely high: ~200–300%+ total (AP fee + import duty + excise duty based on CC)

⚠️ 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 Malaysia before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Approved Permit (AP) required — must be obtained before importing

⛔Without AP, import is illegal

⛔Proton/Perodua protection means extremely high excise duty

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

JPJ (Road Transport Department) inspection on arrival. Puspakom inspection.

🛡️ 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-Malaysia 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 Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most expensive countries to import into due to the Approved Permit system and excise duties designed to protect national car brands. An AP can cost thousands of Ringgit before you even buy the car.