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How to Import a Car from Japan to the UK

โœ“ No age limit RHD โ€” like the UK 0% duty if Japanese-made โฑ ~21โ€“35 days at sea

Yes — you can import a car from Japan to the UK at any age. There is no age ban. Cars under 10 years old need an approval test (IVA).

Japanese-made cars pay 0% duty with proof of origin, plus 20% VAT. You must tell HMRC within 14 days of arrival (NOVA).

Written by Abdur (AZi Champ)Checked against official government pages
Age rule
No age limit
Under 10 years: IVA test. Over 10 years: MOT only.
Customs duty
0% if Japanese-made
With proof of origin (UK–Japan CEPA). 10% without it.
VAT
20%
On the price + delivery + duty.
Deadline
NOVA in 14 days
Tell HMRC after the car arrives.

โœ… Can you import a car from Japan to the UK?

Yes — what you need depends on how old the car is.

Most JDM imports
๐Ÿ

Over 10 years old

Classic and older cars
  • No approval test for cars with 8 seats or fewer.
  • Needs an MOT (cars 3 years and older).
  • Then register with the DVLA.
๐Ÿ”ง

Under 10 years old

Newer cars
  • Needs vehicle approval — usually an IVA test by the DVSA.
  • The car may need changes to pass.
  • Tests are usually offered within about 20 working days.
๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Historic (30+ years)

Original collector cars
  • Original, collectable cars at least 30 years old can pay an effective 5% VAT.
  • The rules are strict (original state, scarce, high value).
  • Ask HMRC before you ship.
๐ŸšซWrite-offs can't be registered. A car recorded as a write-off, scrapped or non-repairable cannot be registered — and the VAT you paid is not refunded.

๐Ÿš— Which Japanese cars need a test?

10-year line today
Nov 2016

Cars built in November 2016 or earlier don't need an approval test — just an MOT. This line moves forward every month.

Car ageWhat you need
Under 3 yearsApproval (IVA). No MOT yet.
3 to 10 yearsApproval (IVA) + MOT
Over 10 yearsMOT only
30+ years, originalMOT only — and maybe 5% VAT (historic)

Japanese cars are right-hand drive, like the UK — no conversion needed.

๐Ÿ’ฐ How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to the UK?

Duty and VAT are fixed percentages. Tests and registration add the rest.

Car price in JapanAuction price + exporter fee, delivered to the Japanese port.
You choose
Shipping + marine insuranceRoRo ship or container to a UK port.
Quote
Customs duty0% for cars made in Japan, under the UK–Japan trade agreement (CEPA). You need proof of origin. Without it: 10%.
0%
VAT20% of the price + delivery and extra charges + duty.
20%
IVA test (under 10 years)DVSA test fee, plus any changes the car needs.
Fee
MOTFor cars 3 years and older.
Fee
DVLA registrationRegistration fee, vehicle tax and number plates.
Fee
Port and agentPort handling, storage and your shipping agent.
Quote

Worked example: a Japanese-made car

Example figures in GBP. Your own numbers will differ.
Car price in Japan£10,000
Shipping + insurance£2,000
Customs duty (made in Japan, with proof)£0
VAT — 20% of £12,000£2,400
Landed, before MOT and registration£14,400

Without proof of origin, the same car pays 10% duty (£1,200) and more VAT (£2,640) — £15,840 in total.

๐Ÿงฎ Live Landed-Cost Calculator

Estimate the total cost of importing a Japanese car to United Kingdom โ€” including auction price, shipping, duty & taxes โ€” in your local currency. Live FX rates updated daily.

Cost to import to United Kingdom
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Quick pick:
ยฅ100kยฅ1Mยฅ3Mยฅ10M
$800$1.5k$2.5k$4k
Auction priceโ€”
Shippingโ€”
Insurance (1.5%)โ€”
CIF subtotalโ€”
VAT 20% (0% duty, made in Japan)โ€”
Total landed cost โ€”
Approx. in GBP โ€”
Vehicle Shipping & insurance Duty & taxes

Estimate only. Actual cost depends on auction fees, current FX, port charges, and customs valuation. Always confirm with a licensed broker before purchase.

๐Ÿค– AI Import Advisor

Tell us the car you're considering and our AI will give you an honest assessment specific to United Kingdom's rules — whether to import it, what to verify, and what to watch for.

Your inquiry is sent to Google Gemini AI for analysis. Don't include personal information. Free to use, 5 queries per hour.

Reading the auction sheet rulesโ€ฆ
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          AI-generated guidance — not a substitute for a licensed customs broker. Verify auction sheet, current duty rates, and import permits before purchase.

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          ๐Ÿ—‚ How to import a car from Japan to the UK, step by step

          1
          Check the age. Under 10 years needs an approval test. Over 10 years needs an MOT only.
          2
          Check the car before you pay. Get the original Japanese auction sheet — grade, real mileage, damage and rust — and get it translated.
          3
          Check it was made in Japan. Only Japanese-made cars get 0% duty. Ask the exporter for proof of origin.
          4
          Ship it. Common ports: Southampton, Bristol, Liverpool, Tilbury and Newcastle. About 21–35 days at sea.
          5
          Tell HMRC (NOVA). Within 14 days of arrival — your shipping agent can do it for you.
          6
          Pay VAT and duty. HMRC confirms when it is paid. Wait 48 hours, then contact the DVLA.
          7
          Get the approval and MOT. IVA test if under 10 years, then an MOT if 3 years or older.
          8
          Apply to the DVLA. Form V55/5 with the export certificate, approval, MOT and your ID.
          9
          Get your logbook and plates. The V5C logbook arrives by post. Then make your number plates.

          ๐Ÿ“‹ Documents you need

          ๐Ÿ“„Japanese Export Certificate — original (the DVLA keeps it), with an English translation
          ๐Ÿ“„Proof of Japanese origin — for 0% duty
          ๐Ÿ“„NOVA reference — from HMRC
          ๐Ÿ“„IVA certificate — if under 10 years
          ๐Ÿ“„MOT certificate — if 3 years or older
          ๐Ÿ“„V55/5 form, ID and proof of address

          ๐Ÿ›‚ NOVA, IVA and the DVLA

          ๐Ÿ“จ NOVA in 14 daysTell HMRC the car has arrived within 14 days. Late notice can mean a penalty.
          ๐Ÿ”ง IVA testCars under 10 years old need approval. The IVA test checks the car is safe for UK roads.
          โœ… MOTCars 3 years and older need an MOT before they can be registered.
          ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Made in Japan onlyA European or American car bought in Japan is not Japanese-made, so it pays full duty.

          ๐Ÿ” Check the auction sheet before you buy

          Most Japanese cars for the UK come from auctions in Japan. These marks on the sheet cost you money after import:

          S ยท C
          Rust and corrosionUnderbody rust means repair bills. Common on cars from snowy areas of Japan.
          ๅ† ๆฐด
          Flood damageA flooded car is a bad buy anywhere. This note is written in Japanese, so get it translated.
          โ˜… / ?
          Mileage doubtThe real mileage is unknown. Japanese sheets show kilometres, not miles.
          R / RA
          Repaired accidentBoth mean the same thing — the auction house picks the letter. Check what was repaired.
          XX ยท W
          Replaced or repaired panelsOne is normal. Several on one side, or near a pillar, point to a bigger past impact.
          0 ยท 1
          Grade 0, 1 or "as-is"Major problems, or not graded at all. Only buy with a full translation and a repair quote.
          ๐Ÿ“– How to read an auction sheet ๐Ÿ”ค Every damage code ๐ŸŒ Sheet translation

          โš ๏ธ Common mistakes

          โ“ Questions buyers ask

          Can I import a car from Japan to the UK?
          Yes, at any age. Cars under 10 years old need an approval test (IVA), and every import must be reported to HMRC within 14 days.
          Is there import duty on Japanese cars in the UK?
          Not for cars made in Japan with proof of origin — the UK–Japan trade agreement removed it. Without proof, duty is 10%.
          How much VAT do I pay?
          20% of the price, plus delivery and extra charges, plus any duty.
          Do I need an IVA test?
          Only for cars under 10 years old. Older cars with 8 seats or fewer need an MOT only.
          What is NOVA?
          Notification of Vehicle Arrivals — telling HMRC the car has arrived. You must do it within 14 days.
          How long does registration take?
          After the DVLA has your application, the V5C logbook usually arrives in a few weeks.
          Can a classic car pay less VAT?
          Original, collectable cars at least 30 years old can qualify for an effective 5% VAT. The rules are strict — ask HMRC first.
          Do I need to change a right-hand-drive car?
          No. Japanese cars are right-hand drive, like UK cars.

          ๐Ÿ“š Official sources

          Every rule above comes from these official pages. Rules change — confirm with your customs broker before you ship.

          Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32/R33/R34) Toyota Supra A80 Toyota Land Cruiser Honda Civic Type R Toyota Alphard

          Verify the auction sheet before you import

          Confirm grade, mileage and accident history before shipping to United Kingdom. Original record from Japan's auction database. From $8.

          Verify Auction Sheet โ†’

          ๐ŸŒ Other Import Guides

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          Pakistan

          Useful resources for United Kingdom importers

          Tools and guides to make your Japanese car import successful

          ๐Ÿ”
          Verify Auction Sheet
          Check car history before buying
          ๐Ÿงฎ
          Import Calculator
          Estimate United Kingdom landed cost
          ๐Ÿ’ฐ
          Car Value Calculator
          What is your car worth?
          ๐Ÿ“
          Sheet Translation
          Japanese to English in 1-12 hrs
          ๐Ÿ“–
          How to Read a Sheet
          Grades & damage codes explained
          ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ
          How to Buy Safely
          Avoid scams & bad deals
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