What is the age limit for importing Japanese cars to South Korea?

No strict age limit. Emission standards apply.

Import Japanese Car to South Korea — Complete Guide 2026

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

Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, KATRI certification, Korea Customs clearance

Age Limit

No limit

Import Duty

~25% total

8% import duty + 10% VAT + individual consumption tax by CC

Steering Side

LHD

LHD. Drives on the right.

Transit Time

2–3 days

From Japanese port to South Korea

✅ Age Check — No Restriction

South Korea has no strict age limit on Japanese car imports. Any year vehicle can be imported (subject to emissions and roadworthy standards).

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Busan Port 🚢 Incheon Port

📋 Required Documents

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄KATRI certification

📄Korea Customs clearance

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Find LHD variant of desired Japanese model

Arrange KATRI certification

Ship to Busan or Incheon

Pay 8% duty + 10% VAT + individual consumption tax

Korean traffic police inspection

MLIT (Ministry of Land) registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

8% import duty + 10% VAT + individual consumption tax by 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 South Korea before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Must be LHD for South Korean roads

⛔Must pass KATRI emissions/safety certification

⛔Most Japanese vehicles are RHD — conversion needed

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

KATRI (Korea Automotive Testing Research Institute) certification required

🛡️ 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-South Korea 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 South Korea

South Korea mainly re-exports rather than uses Japanese used cars. Most Japanese vehicles are RHD and require conversion or finding LHD JDM variants. The number in the chart largely reflects re-export activity.