Do I pay import duty on a car from Japan?

For conservative planning, use the standard third-country passenger-car rate plus import VAT. A reduced UK-Japan agreement rate can only be claimed when the car meets the product-specific origin rule and the claim is supported by acceptable proof or importer knowledge; purchase or manufacture in Japan alone is not enough.

Do Japanese imports need an IVA test?

A non-EU-registered car without accepted approval normally needs IVA unless an exemption applies. GOV.UK lists cars and light goods vehicles over 10 years old among age-based exemptions, but the category, age evidence, modifications and any other relevant approval rules must still be checked. Under-10 cars may use IVA; motorcycles use MSVA.

What is a Japanese export certificate (deregistration certificate)?

When a car is exported from Japan, it is deregistered and the owner receives an Export Certificate (Deregistration Certificate, 抹消登録). This document proves ownership and contains the chassis number, engine details, and first registration date. DVLA requires the original plus a certified English translation when you register the car with the V55/5 form.

How long does shipping from Japan to the UK take?

Roughly 4-8 weeks by sea. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) sailings from Yokohama, Nagoya, or Kawasaki to Southampton or Bristol typically take 6-8 weeks; some container routings are slightly faster at 4-6 weeks. Add time for auction purchase, inland transport in Japan, and pre-export inspection.

What is the NOVA 14-day deadline for Japanese imports?

Where notification is required, HMRC must normally be told within 14 days after the vehicle is brought into the UK permanently. For a private shipped import, current GOV.UK guidance routes the declaration through the shipping company or customs agent, or HMRC's CARS team. HMRC says late notification may be fined; it does not publish a universal £5-per-day amount on the current vehicle-import page.

Do I need to convert the speedometer on a Japanese import?

If the car is under 10 years old, the speedometer must display mph for IVA and UK registration — most JDM cars read km/h only, so you'll need an mph conversion dial or overlay. Cars over 10 years old are not legally required to convert, but an mph readout is strongly recommended and inexpensive (typically £30-150).

Last reviewed: 19 July 2026 · Read the full Japan deep-dive guide

Import a Car from Japan to the UK

JDM costs, shipping, customs, age-based approval and DVLA registration

Tax + logistics + approval

Quote-based

Use the calculator and real shipping quotes

Purchase to UK road legal

6-12 Weeks

IVA or a supported exemption

Age-based

Confirm category and age evidence before relying on it

Japan has a well-established route for enthusiast and specialist imports. Budget conservatively for customs tax unless you hold valid preference evidence, tell HMRC through the correct private or business route, and establish approval from the vehicle's exact age and category.

Estimate your import costs from Japan

Pre-set to the movement from Japan. Confirm customs origin, evidence, relief and the legal tariff rate before relying on a reduced result, then adjust the value and transport figures to match your import.

UK passenger-car import duty and VAT calculator

Built around separate customs and VAT values, route-specific UK rules, and the official 2026-27 V149 rates. Reliefs and preferential rates are applied only after you confirm the required eligibility and evidence.

1. Import route

UK destinationWhere the car is arriving fromCountry of manufacture / claimed customs originArrival date

“Arriving from” controls Great Britain/Northern Ireland customs rules. “Origin” controls tariff preference: an EU-purchased Japanese-built car is not automatically EU-origin. Some territories have a different customs status from their state, so select the route separately rather than relying on the country name.

2. HMRC value in pounds

Valuation basisInvoice / transaction valueFreight and insurance to UK borderAccessories and customs-value additionsClearance, handling and UK destination costsOther costs outside the tax bases

Use the invoice/bill of sale and add accessories purchased with the car. If any amount is in foreign currency, convert it using the HMRC customs exchange rate. Do not enter the same freight or handling charge twice.

3. Customs treatment

Standard passenger-car importTariff duty rate + 20% import VATPreferential originReduced tariff rate only with valid origin evidenceTransfer of ResidenceOnly after HMRC approval and all conditionsReturned Goods ReliefPreviously exported UK vehicle, strict evidence rulesInherited vehicleOnly with qualifying inheritance evidenceHistoric collector vehicleHeading 9705 classification, not age aloneOther or specialist caseTemporary import, disability, diplomatic, repairs, unusual classification

Confirmed customs duty rate (%)10% is the usual third-country rate for passenger cars. Confirm the commodity, origin and import date in the UK Trade Tariff or with your agent.

4. DVLA registration and vehicle tax

Original registration date anywherePlanned UK tax start dateFuel typeTax period

DVLA Historic Vehicle tax class (separate 40-year rule; not the same as HMRC’s collector classification) Exempt from the £55 DVLA fee — for example, previously UK-registered or another listed exemption

Import tax breakdown

More information required

• Enter the HMRC customs value or current vehicle valuation.

DVLA payment

More information required

• Enter the date of original registration (box 24) — it decides which tax scheme applies.

HMRC / NOVA

Enter the arrival date

Tell HMRC within 14 days of a permanent arrival. Your agent may make the notification for a shipped car. Check the correct route.

Next step

Keep the invoice/valuation, freight invoices, origin evidence and customs declaration.
Wait for HMRC confirmation that NOVA is processed and tax is settled.
Keep the foreign registration document and obtain approval, MOT or exemption evidence.
Use the exact DVLA tax class, list price and approved CO2 figure on the V55 form.

Apply this to my vehicle

This is a planning estimate, not a customs declaration or HMRC decision. Exact liability depends on the accepted customs value, commodity code, non-preferential and preferential origin, evidence and relief approval. A result is intentionally withheld when those facts are unresolved.Rules and linked guidance last reviewed 19 July 2026.

Need the rules behind the estimate? Read the UK car import duty and VAT guide or build a complete logistics budget with the car import cost checklist.

What catches people out importing from Japan

Use the standard third-country rate for planning unless the car meets the UK-Japan origin rule and the customs claim is backed by acceptable evidence.
Where notification is required, HMRC must normally be told within 14 days; a private shipped import usually goes through the agent or CARS team, not a universal self-service route.
Cars and light goods vehicles over 10 years old can be approval-exempt, but category, age evidence, modifications and other published carve-outs still need checking.
Keep the original Japanese Export Certificate and obtain an acceptable English translation for the DVLA evidence pack.

Popular imports from Japan

Nissan Skyline GT-RToyota SupraMazda RX-7Honda NSXToyota Land Cruiser

Read the complete Japan import guide

A 16 min read deep dive covering shipping, customs, NOVA, approval, and the V55/5 form step by step — with real cost examples.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay import duty on a car from Japan?: For conservative planning, use the standard third-country passenger-car rate plus import VAT. A reduced UK-Japan agreement rate can only be claimed when the car meets the product-specific origin rule and the claim is supported by acceptable proof or importer knowledge; purchase or manufacture in Japan alone is not enough.
Do Japanese imports need an IVA test?: A non-EU-registered car without accepted approval normally needs IVA unless an exemption applies. GOV.UK lists cars and light goods vehicles over 10 years old among age-based exemptions, but the category, age evidence, modifications and any other relevant approval rules must still be checked. Under-10 cars may use IVA; motorcycles use MSVA.
What is a Japanese export certificate (deregistration certificate)?: When a car is exported from Japan, it is deregistered and the owner receives an Export Certificate (Deregistration Certificate, 抹消登録). This document proves ownership and contains the chassis number, engine details, and first registration date. DVLA requires the original plus a certified English translation when you register the car with the V55/5 form.
How long does shipping from Japan to the UK take?: Roughly 4-8 weeks by sea. RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) sailings from Yokohama, Nagoya, or Kawasaki to Southampton or Bristol typically take 6-8 weeks; some container routings are slightly faster at 4-6 weeks. Add time for auction purchase, inland transport in Japan, and pre-export inspection.
What is the NOVA 14-day deadline for Japanese imports?: Where notification is required, HMRC must normally be told within 14 days after the vehicle is brought into the UK permanently. For a private shipped import, current GOV.UK guidance routes the declaration through the shipping company or customs agent, or HMRC's CARS team. HMRC says late notification may be fined; it does not publish a universal £5-per-day amount on the current vehicle-import page.
Do I need to convert the speedometer on a Japanese import?: If the car is under 10 years old, the speedometer must display mph for IVA and UK registration — most JDM cars read km/h only, so you'll need an mph conversion dial or overlay. Cars over 10 years old are not legally required to convert, but an mph readout is strongly recommended and inexpensive (typically £30-150).

Apply this to your vehicle

We'll start with a car imported from Japan, then ask only for the facts needed to confirm your NOVA, approval, MOT, document and V55/5 route.

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Primary sources

This guide maps to official GOV.UK guidance. Always check the current source for the latest rules before you submit your V55/5.

v55-5.com is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA, HMRC, or any government body.