Import Japanese Car to Samoa — Complete Guide 2026

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

Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance, MCIL customs entry

Age Limit

Max 12 years

Manufactured 2014 or later

Import Duty

~30% total

~20–25%: customs duty 5–20% + VAGST (VAT 15%)

Steering Side

RHD

Samoa changed from LHD to RHD traffic in 2009. Japanese RHD vehicles now standard.

Transit Time

12–16 days

From Japanese port to Samoa

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Samoa's 12-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Apia (Port of Apia)

📋 Required Documents

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

📄MCIL customs entry

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Select RHD vehicle under 12 years

Ship to Apia port

MCIL (Ministry of Customs) clearance

Pay customs duty + VAGST

LTA Samoa vehicle inspection

LTA registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

~20–25%: customs duty 5–20% + VAGST (VAT 15%)

⚠️ 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 Samoa before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Max 12 years

⛔LHD vehicles not allowed since 2009 change to RHD traffic

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

LTA Samoa inspection 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-Samoa 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 Samoa

Samoa made a bold switch from left-hand to right-hand traffic in 2009 to allow Japanese RHD imports. The change was primarily economic — to access affordable Japanese used cars. A unique piece of transport history.