What is the age limit for importing Japanese cars to Saudi Arabia?

Max 5 years for cars (varies by SASO standards)

Japan Car Import to Saudi Arabia — Guide 2026

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

Original Export Certificate (Deregistration), Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Insurance Certificate, SASO Certificate of Conformity, Saudi Customs Declaration

Age Limit

Max 5 years

Manufactured 2021 or later

Import Duty

~20% total

5% customs duty + 15% VAT = ~20% total

Steering Side

LHD

Left-hand drive only. RHD vehicles cannot be registered.

Transit Time

20–25 days from Japan

From Japanese port to Saudi Arabia

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

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

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Jeddah Islamic Port 🚢 King Abdullah Port 🚢 Dammam Port

📋 Required Documents

📄Original Export Certificate (Deregistration)

📄Bill of Lading

📄Commercial Invoice

📄Insurance Certificate

📄SASO Certificate of Conformity

📄Saudi Customs Declaration

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Confirm vehicle meets SASO standards

Select LHD vehicle at Japanese auction

Obtain SASO Certificate of Conformity

Ship to Jeddah / Dammam port

Pay 5% customs + 15% VAT

Get vehicle inspected at MVPI (Muroor)

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

5% customs duty + 15% VAT = ~20% total

⚠️ 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 Saudi Arabia before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Right-hand drive vehicles cannot be registered

⛔Vehicles older than 5 years face SASO compliance issues

⛔Modified vehicles require additional approvals

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

SASO certificate required. JEVIC pre-shipment inspection recommended.

🛡️ 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-Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a strong LHD market. Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol are extremely popular. SASO compliance is strict — verify standards before shipping. Many imports go through Dubai for re-export to Saudi.