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Japanese used cars on a roll-on/roll-off export vessel

Official-source notes · Updated 2026

Japanese used-car import guides for 26 RHD markets

Age limits, inspection, ports, and tax notes for Kenya, Tanzania, the UK, New Zealand, and 22 other right-hand-drive destinations. Confirm with the named authority before you bid.

Find your country Topic guides
Kenya Tanzania Uganda Bangladesh United Kingdom New Zealand Hong Kong Zambia
26
Country regulations
19
Walkthroughs
21
FAQs
2026
Source review year

Featured Guides

How to Import to Tanzania
Intermediate 10-12 weeks

How to Import to Tanzania

Tanzania counts age from manufacture, not first registration. Standard TRA rates apply up to 8 years; older cars pay extra excise. Use UMVVS before you bid.

Read Guide
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How to Import a Japanese Used Car (2026 Overview)
Beginner 8-12 weeks

How to Import a Japanese Used Car (2026 Overview)

The real order of work from Japan to registration — eligibility first, then inspection, shipping, and destination tax. Not a 2× FOB shortcut.

Read Guide
158 views
Japanese Car Import Costs, Duties and Taxes
Intermediate Quote before you bid

Japanese Car Import Costs, Duties and Taxes

Why 2× FOB is wrong. How Kenya CRSP, Tanzania UMVVS, Zambia specific duty and Bangladesh NBR slabs actually stack — plus what you pay in Japan.

Read Guide
20 views
How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Kenya
Intermediate 8-10 weeks

How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Kenya

A practical 2026 walkthrough: KS 1515 age (2019+ first registration), QISJ CoR, IDF before sailing, Mombasa RoRo, and KRA taxes on CRSP — not a 2× FOB shortcut.

Read Guide
173 views
How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Uganda
Intermediate 10-14 weeks

How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Uganda

Uganda is RHD with a 15-year manufacture cap. Land at Mombasa, transit to Kampala, then URA taxes and UNBS US 845 inspection — not Kenya’s 8-year ban.

Read Guide
2 views
How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Bangladesh
Advanced 6-8 weeks

How to Import a Japanese Used Car to Bangladesh

Bangladesh is RHD with a 5-year manufacture cap (age from 1 January of the year after manufacture). NBR tax stacks are high. JAAI certificate and Chittagong are the usual path.

Read Guide
3 views

Country Import Regulations

Comprehensive, country-specific import guides with step-by-step procedures, documentation requirements, and cost breakdowns

Step-by-Step Process Required Documents Cost Breakdown
Examples: Tanzania, Mombasa, Kenya 2019, UK IVA
Showing 26 of 26 country regulation pages. Filter by region or whether used imports are open, age-capped, or permit-only.
Featured
Tanzania flag

Tanzania

Dar es Salaam Age-capped
Year Limit
8 years from manufacture (standard rates)
Shipping
10-12 weeks
Import Duty
25% of CIF (EAC CET, passenger cars) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Kenya flag

Kenya

Mombasa Age-capped
Year Limit
Max 8 years from first registration (2019+ in 2026)
Shipping
8-10 weeks
Import Duty
25% of customs value (CIF / CRSP method) — KRA Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Uganda flag

Uganda

Mombasa (then Kampala) Age-capped
Year Limit
Maximum 15 years from manufacture
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
25% of CIF (EAC CET, passenger cars) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Zambia flag

Zambia

Durban or Dar es Salaam (inland to Zambia) Open import
Year Limit
No hard age ban (duty depends on age)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
ZRA specific duty (age + body + engine) or ad valorem if under 2 years / hybrid Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Bangladesh flag

Bangladesh

Chittagong (Chattogram) Age-capped
Year Limit
Maximum 5 years from manufacture
Shipping
6-8 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty plus high supplementary duty by CC (NBR slabs) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Mozambique flag

Mozambique

Maputo Open import
Year Limit
No hard age ban (higher tax if over 7 years)
Shipping
8-11 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty by type/CC (commonly ~25–40% CIF for passenger cars — confirm AT) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Malawi flag

Malawi

Dar es Salaam or Beira (inland to Malawi) Open import
Year Limit
No general age limit
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty on CIF (often 25% on passenger cars — confirm MRA) Estimate only — see the country page
View Full Guide Export landing
Burundi flag

Burundi

Dar es Salaam (then Bujumbura) Open import
Year Limit
No Kenya-style 8-year ban; 10-year policy + 2,000,000 BIF anti-pollution tax on older units (Law 1/013)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
OBR customs duty on CIF (EAC CET often 25% on passenger cars — confirm the current tariff) Estimate only — see the country page
View Full Guide Export landing
Zimbabwe flag

Zimbabwe

Durban (then Beitbridge) or Dar es Salaam Age-capped
Year Limit
Under 10 years from manufacture (general ban at 10+)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty on ZIMRA value (schedule rates — confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Botswana flag

Botswana

Durban (then Pioneer Gate / Tlokweng) Open import
Year Limit
No general age ban (BURS duty on value/engine)
Shipping
9-13 weeks
Import Duty
BURS customs duty on customs value (confirm current schedule) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
South Africa flag

South Africa

Durban Restricted / permit
Year Limit
Used imports generally prohibited (ITAC permit only)
Shipping
8-12 weeks (only if ITAC already approved)
Import Duty
SARS customs duty on the tariff (only after a legal import) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Namibia flag

Namibia

Walvis Bay Restricted / permit
Year Limit
Used imports restricted (permit / returning resident style rules)
Shipping
9-13 weeks
Import Duty
NamRA / SACU duty (confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
Pakistan flag

Pakistan

Karachi (Keamari / Port Qasim) Age-capped
Year Limit
Commercial used: under 5 years (until 30 Jun 2026 policy)
Shipping
7-10 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty + regulatory duty (SRO 1898(I)/2025: extra 40% RD on commercial used until 30 Jun 2026) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Featured
United Kingdom flag

United Kingdom

Southampton Open import
Year Limit
No maximum age (IVA/NOVA still required)
Shipping
8-12 weeks
Import Duty
UK Global Tariff on cars (often 10% outside reliefs — confirm GOV.UK / HMRC) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Ireland flag

Ireland

Dublin Open import
Year Limit
No maximum age (VRT + NCTS registration)
Shipping
9-13 weeks
Import Duty
EU customs duty if not already in free circulation (Japan origin typically dutiable — confirm Revenue) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Australia flag

Australia

Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane Restricted / permit
Year Limit
25-year older-vehicle pathway, or SEVS/RAW for newer
Shipping
6-10 weeks plus ROVER wait
Import Duty
Customs duty on passenger cars (often 5% — confirm ABF) plus LCT if applicable Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
New Zealand flag

New Zealand

Auckland Open import
Year Limit
No maximum age (standards + biosecurity + entry cert)
Shipping
5-8 weeks
Import Duty
Usually 0% duty on used cars (confirm NZ Customs tariff) — GST still applies Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Jamaica flag

Jamaica

Kingston Age-capped
Year Limit
Cars max 6 years (returning residents 10 years)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
JCA Customs duty on CIF (schedule — confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Mauritius flag

Mauritius

Port Louis Age-capped
Year Limit
Used cars tightly age-capped (confirm MRA — often ~3–4 years)
Shipping
7-10 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty + high excise on motor cars (MRA — confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Fiji flag

Fiji

Suva Age-capped
Year Limit
Used import age cap (confirm FRCS — commonly 5 years)
Shipping
6-9 weeks
Import Duty
FRCS fiscal duty on motor vehicles (confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Hong Kong flag

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Open import
Year Limit
No maximum age (First Registration Tax applies)
Shipping
3-6 weeks
Import Duty
No general Customs duty on private cars; First Registration Tax is the main levy Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Sri Lanka flag

Sri Lanka

Colombo Restricted / permit
Year Limit
Used passenger-car imports generally banned / permit only
Shipping
Only after a valid import permit exists
Import Duty
When permitted: very high duty/excise/PAL/VAT stack — confirm Sri Lanka Customs Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Malaysia flag

Malaysia

Port Klang Restricted / permit
Year Limit
AP permit required (used imports not open)
Shipping
Only after AP is granted
Import Duty
Customs duty + excise on motor cars (high — confirm Royal Malaysian Customs) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Papua New Guinea flag

Papua New Guinea

Lae Open import
Year Limit
Used imports allowed (confirm IRC age/duty)
Shipping
7-11 weeks
Import Duty
IRC Customs duty on vehicles (confirm current tariff) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Trinidad and Tobago flag

Trinidad and Tobago

Port of Spain Age-capped
Year Limit
Used cars age-capped (confirm Customs — commonly 6 years)
Shipping
10-14 weeks
Import Duty
Customs duty + motor vehicle tax (confirm Customs & Excise Division) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide Export landing
Angola flag

Angola

Luanda Not RHD
Year Limit
Not an RHD market (left-hand-drive / right-hand traffic)
Shipping
6-8 weeks
Import Duty
AGT customs duty (confirm current) Estimate only — see the country page
Inspection Required
View Full Guide

Don't see your country?

We publish 26 country regulation pages (mainly RHD markets). We can still quote shipping to other destinations — contact us with the country and vehicle.

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Organized guides covering every aspect of the import process

Getting Started

Essential information for first-time importers

1 guide Explore

Documentation

Required documents and paperwork

2 guides Explore

Shipping & Logistics

Shipping methods and customs clearance

2 guides Explore

Costs & Payment

Understanding total costs and payment methods

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Country Guides

Japanese used-car import walkthroughs by destination: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Bangladesh, the UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Pakistan, and more RHD markets.

10 guides Explore

Vehicle Selection

Choosing the right vehicle for your market

2 guides Explore

Import Process Sequence

Timing and ocean cost depend on destination — open a country card below for that market’s range.

1

Eligibility & purchase

Confirm before you bid

Check age, steering, and permit rules for the destination, then select and pay for the vehicle.

Cost: vehicle FOB + auction / exporter fees
2

Export from Japan

Days to a couple of weeks

Export certificate, any destination inspection, inland transport to the loading port, and loading.

Cost: quoted per unit — not a flat fee
3

Ocean shipping

Days to East Asia; weeks to Africa / Caribbean

RoRo or container to the destination port. Hong Kong and New Zealand are typically faster than East Africa. Freight is a per-unit quote, not a published Africa RoRo band.

Ask for a freight quote for your port
4

Customs & tax

Country rules apply

Duty, VAT or GST, port charges, and a licensed clearing agent. Some markets need a permit before the car ships.

Open the country regulation page — not a flat % of CIF
5

Local registration

After clearance

Inspection, plates, insurance, and delivery — requirements differ by market.

See the destination guide for local fees
There is no single 8–12 week / $850–$1,300 figure that covers every RHD market. Use the country cards above for that destination’s shipping note.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common import questions

Tip: Type keywords like "cost", "time", "documents", or country name to find relevant FAQs

There is no single 8–12 week figure for every market. Hong Kong and New Zealand are often faster on the water than East Africa. Permit markets (South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia) can add weeks before the car is allowed to ship. Open the country regulation page for that destination’s shipping note.
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There is no single landed-cost multiplier such as “2× FOB”. East African Community passenger cars often stack about 25% import duty plus excise and VAT (Kenya also adds IDF and railway levy, and often taxes CRSP rather than the invoice). The UK is closer to tariff plus 20% VAT after NOVA. New Zealand and Hong Kong do not use East Africa-style age excise. South Africa generally prohibits used passenger imports. Bangladesh tax can be several times CIF. Open the country regulation page and use that authority’s calculator or a licensed clearing agent before you bid.
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We accept bank transfer (TT), PayPal, and wire transfer. Full payment is required before shipment. We can also arrange payment plans for established customers.
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Tanzania does not apply a hard 8-year ban. Age is counted from the year of manufacture, not first registration. Vehicles up to 8 years old are assessed at standard TRA rates; older cars can still be imported but attract extra excise. Confirm the current band on TRA’s Used Motor Vehicle Valuation System (UMVVS) before you buy. Only RHD passenger cars are practical for Tanzania roads.
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Kenya strictly enforces an 8-year limit from first registration (KEBS KS 1515). For 2026 arrivals, first registration must be 2019 or later. Manufacture year versus first registration must be within one year. A QISJ Certificate of Roadworthiness and an Import Declaration Form (IDF) are required before the car ships. Non-compliant units are rejected at the importer’s cost.
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RoRo (Roll-On/Roll-Off) is usually cheaper and faster: the vehicle must be running and driveable. Container shipping costs more, protects the unit better, and can take non-running cars. Freight is quoted per unit and route — there is no single $850–$1,100 Africa RoRo rate that applies to the UK, New Zealand, or Hong Kong. Ask for a quote for your destination port.
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