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

Max 3 years for private import. Stricter for commercial.

Import Japanese Car to Turkey — Complete Guide 2026

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

Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, TSE type approval, Insurance, Customs declaration

Age Limit

Max 3 years

Manufactured 2023 or later

Import Duty

~150% total

Very high: ~100%+ total — import duty + SCT (Special Consumption Tax, up to 220%) + VAT 20%

Steering Side

LHD

Turkey drives on the right. LHD required.

Transit Time

22–28 days

From Japanese port to Turkey

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Turkey's 3-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Istanbul (Haydarpaşa / Ambarlı) 🚢 Mersin 🚢 Izmir

📋 Required Documents

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄TSE type approval

📄Insurance

📄Customs declaration

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Find LHD Japanese vehicle under 3 years with EU/ECE type approval

Obtain TSE certification

Ship to Istanbul or Mersin

Pay all duties (100–300% total is possible)

ÖTV (Special Consumption Tax) payment at customs

Traffic registration at provincial directorate

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

Very high: ~100%+ total — import duty + SCT (Special Consumption Tax, up to 220%) + VAT 20%

⚠️ 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 Turkey before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔Max 3 years strictly enforced

⛔Must be LHD

⛔Must have TSE type approval

⛔SCT is extremely high — 220% for engines over 2000cc

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

TSE (Turkish Standards Institution) type approval 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-Turkey 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 Turkey

Turkey has some of the highest auto import taxes in the world. The SCT alone can be 220% for large engines. Very few Japanese vehicles can practically be imported here at reasonable cost.