Documents & proof

What if the Japanese export certificate is missing?

Reviewed 2026-07-10

Short answer

Treat it as a serious paperwork gap. DVLA normally wants the original foreign registration certificate or other strong evidence of manufacture date and identity.

Official position

GOV.UK says imported vehicles must normally include the original foreign registration certificate, which will not be returned. If you do not have it, DVLA might accept other proof of manufacture date, such as manufacturer or vehicle enthusiast club evidence, but this does not guarantee registration.

What to do

Ask the exporter, auction agent or UK importer to locate the original export certificate and translation.

Check whether any certified translation, auction sheet, bill of lading or agent file identifies the chassis number.

Get manufacturer or recognised club dating evidence if the original document cannot be recovered.

Do not assume DVLA will issue an age-related registration without strong original or substitute evidence.

Common mistakes

Assuming an auction sheet replaces the export certificate.
Forgetting that JDM cars often use a shorter chassis number rather than a 17-character VIN.
Buying a landed Japanese import without confirming the export certificate exists.