The UK has one of the more straightforward processes for importing used cars from Japan, and a major change in 2026 made it genuinely more affordable for qualifying vehicles. Use the calculator below to estimate your total landed cost before committing to a purchase.
Freight ranges are typical RoRo shipping estimates from Yokohama and vary by carrier, vehicle size, and booking timing. Duty assumes the vehicle qualifies under UK-Japan CEPA rules of origin — non-Japanese-built vehicles sold in Japan do not qualify and face the standard 10% duty rate instead. IVA and registration fees are fixed estimates; broker and inspection fees are not included. This is a planning estimate, not a customs quote — confirm exact figures with a UK customs broker before committing to a purchase.
The 2026 duty change is the headline update
Under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), import duty on qualifying Japanese-built vehicles dropped to 0% as of 2026, down from the standard 10% rate that applied for years. This is a genuinely significant saving — on a typical £8,000–9,000 vehicle, that's roughly £800–900 saved on duty alone.
The 0% rate only applies if the car was actually built in Japan
A vehicle sold in Japan isn't automatically eligible — it must have been manufactured in Japan to qualify under CEPA's rules of origin. European or other foreign-built cars that simply passed through the Japanese market do not qualify and face the standard 10% duty rate plus VAT, calculated on the higher duty-inclusive value. Always confirm the manufacturing origin before bidding, not after the car has shipped.
VAT still applies regardless of the duty rate
The 0% CEPA rate only affects import duty — VAT at 20% is calculated separately on the CIF value (car price plus freight) plus any duty paid, and applies to qualifying and non-qualifying vehicles alike. There's no version of this import process where VAT disappears.
What else to budget for
Vehicles between 3 and 10 years old typically require an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test, around £450. Vehicles over 10 years old need a standard MOT test instead, around £40-60. DVLA registration adds a flat £55. Vehicles over 30 years old in original, unmodified condition can qualify for Classic Vehicle Relief — exempt from duty and taxed at a reduced 5% VAT rate instead of 20%, though this requires proper documentation to claim.
Filing errors are expensive
Getting the customs declaration wrong — claiming the 0% CEPA rate for a vehicle that doesn't actually qualify — doesn't just mean paying the duty you should have paid originally. It can also trigger a penalty on top, turning a paperwork mistake into a meaningfully larger unexpected cost. Working with a customs agent experienced in Japan-UK vehicle imports specifically is worth the fee to avoid this.
You'll also need to file a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) within 14 days of the car reaching the UK, along with the original Japanese Export Certificate (with English translation) and the Bill of Lading from your shipping line. Shipping time from Japan to the UK typically runs 21-35 days depending on the route and carrier.
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This article references the following primary sources. Rules and figures change periodically — always verify current requirements directly before making decisions.