Import Duty
~35% total
~30–40% (Customs + Goods Tax 15%)
Steering Side
RHD
Right-hand drive only. Drives on the left.
Transit Time
25–35 days from Japan
From Japanese port to Solomon Islands
✅ Age Check — No Restriction
Solomon Islands has no strict age limit on Japanese car imports. Any year vehicle can be imported (subject to emissions and roadworthy standards).
📍 Entry Ports
🚢 Honiara Port
📋 Required Documents
📄Original Export Certificate
📄Bill of Lading
📄Commercial Invoice
📄Solomon Islands Customs Declaration
🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process
1
Select RHD vehicle at Japanese auction
3
Pay customs duty + goods tax
4
Register at Ministry of Infrastructure Development
5
Obtain Solomon Islands plates
💰 Import Duty & Taxes
~30–40% (Customs + Goods Tax 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 Solomon Islands before committing to a purchase.
🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles
⛔LHD vehicles cannot be registered
🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection
No mandatory pre-shipment 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-Solomon Islands 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 Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a small Pacific market with consistent demand for older used Japanese vehicles, especially for rural and inter-island use.
🚗 Popular Japanese Cars in Solomon Islands
Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hiace
Suzuki Vitara
Verify the auction sheet before you import
Confirm grade, mileage and accident history before shipping to Solomon Islands. Original record from Japan's auction database. From $7.
Verify Auction Sheet →
🌍 Other Import Guides
