Import a Car from Japan to the UK
Source it. Ship it. Register it. All from one place. Carluv makes it simple to import a car from Japan to the UK — from sourcing at Japanese auctions (USS, JU, TAA, HAA) to RORO shipping, HMRC NOVA, IVA testing and final DVLA registration on UK plates. With 0% import duty on eligible Japanese-manufactured vehicles under the UK–Japan CEPA agreement (2026), there has never been a better time to bring home your JDM.
Get My Free Quote → Chat on WhatsAppWeekly sailings from Japan0% duty on qualifying Japanese carsEnd-to-end: sourcing, shipping, IVA, DVLAFully insured & trackedTrusted by UK buyers since 2016
🎥 Watch: How to Import a Car from Japan to the UK
▶ Video embed placeholder — 16:9 responsive
In this 3-minute walkthrough, our import specialist explains how Carluv sources your car at Japanese auctions, ships it via RORO or container to a UK port, handles HMRC NOVA, arranges the IVA inspection and finalises DVLA registration — so all you do is collect the keys.
How It Works: Import a Car from Japan to the UK in 6 Steps
A clear, transparent process — no hidden fees, no surprises. 1
Tell us what you want
Send us the make, model, year, budget and grade — an R34 Skyline, Toyota Alphard, JZX100, Kei truck, Land Cruiser 70 or a fresh Mazda MX-5. No specific car in mind? Our sourcing team will suggest options that fit. 2
We source it at Japanese auctions
Carluv bids at USS, JU, TAA, HAA, CAA and Aucnet — the same auctions used by Japan’s biggest exporters. Every car comes with an official auction sheet, translated for you. 3
Pre-export inspection & de-registration
Once won, the car is moved to the export yard, de-registered from Japan’s registry and issued an Export Certificate (Shatoken). JEVIC / QISJ inspection arranged where required. 4
RORO or container shipping to a UK port
Space booked on the next vessel to Southampton, Bristol (Portbury), Tilbury or Immingham. Transit is typically 35–50 days. Choose RORO (cheaper, standard) or 20/40ft container (more secure). 5
UK customs, HMRC NOVA & duty/VAT
Carluv files your customs import declaration, notifies HMRC via NOVA within 14 days, pays 20% VAT (0% duty for CEPA-qualifying Japanese cars) and releases the vehicle from port. 6
IVA / MOT & DVLA registration
Cars under 10 years typically need an IVA test with DVSA. Cars 10+ years usually go straight to MOT. We submit the DVLA V55/5 pack and deliver your car on UK plates to your door.📝 Enter Your Requirements to Receive Car Quotes
Get a free, no-obligation quote in under 24 hours. Tell us what you want to import from Japan — we’ll come back with landed-cost pricing including sourcing, shipping, duty, VAT, IVA and UK registration.Prefer to talk? Call our Japan import desk on +44 7311 271807 or WhatsApp us.
💷 RORO Shipping Cost Estimates: Japan to UK (2026)
Indicative RORO shipping prices per vehicle from major Japanese ports (Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe) to the main UK ports. Final price depends on vessel schedule, vehicle CBM and fuel surcharges — your personalised quote will confirm the exact figure.| Vehicle Type | Example Models | RORO Estimate (Japan → UK) | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small hatchback / Kei car | Suzuki Alto, Honda N-Box, Daihatsu Copen | £1,380 – £1,600 | 35–45 days |
| Saloon / Sedan | Toyota Crown, Nissan Skyline, Lexus IS | £1,500 – £1,800 | 35–45 days |
| Sports car / Coupé | Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R, Mazda RX-7 | £1,550 – £1,900 | 35–50 days |
| Estate / MPV | Toyota Alphard, Nissan Elgrand, Honda Odyssey | £1,700 – £2,100 | 40–50 days |
| SUV / 4×4 | Land Cruiser, Pajero, Delica | £1,750 – £2,200 | 40–50 days |
| Kei truck / Van | Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet | £1,400 – £1,700 | 35–45 days |
| 20ft Container (1 car, secure) | Any single vehicle | £2,300 – £2,900 | 40–55 days |
| 40ft Container (up to 2 cars) | Two vehicles shipped together | £3,400 – £4,200 | 40–55 days |
On top of shipping, expect approximately:
| Cost item | Typical amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Import duty on car (UK) | 0% for Japanese-origin cars under UK–Japan CEPA (statement of origin required). Otherwise 10% of CIF value. Classics 30+ years: 0% |
| VAT | 20% of (car + shipping + duty). Reduced 5% VAT for classics 30+ years and unmodified |
| UK port handling & customs clearance | £250 – £450 |
| HMRC NOVA filing | Included by Carluv |
| IVA test (cars <10 years) | £199 – £456 (DVSA fee) + prep |
| MOT (cars 10+ years) | £54.85 |
| DVLA first registration & number plate | £55 + £20 plates |
| UK road tax (VED) | Depends on CO₂ / age |
| Inland UK delivery | From £2 per mile |
Example landed cost: A 2005 Toyota Alphard bought at auction for £8,000, shipped RORO to Southampton, cleared, IVA-exempt (20+ years), registered and delivered to Manchester lands at approximately £11,900 all-in. Ask for your exact quote.
Why Import Your Car from Japan?
Rust-free, low-mileage stockJapan’s climate, strict Shaken inspections and short average ownership mean cars are dramatically better preserved.
JDM-only modelsR34 GT-Rs, JZX100 Chasers, Autech Stagea 260RS, Toyota Century, Kei sports cars — cars you can’t buy new in the UK.
0% import duty in 2026Japanese-manufactured vehicles qualify for zero duty under UK–Japan CEPA — saving thousands.
Right-hand driveNo conversion, no headlight swap, no speedometer changes.
Full auction transparencyEvery car comes with a graded auction sheet.
Investment-grade JDMs90s and early-2000s icons continue to appreciate.
What We Handle for You
Auction sourcing at USS, JU, TAA, HAA, CAA, Aucnet
Auction sheet translation & pre-purchase inspection
Japan-side transport & de-registration
Export Certificate (Shatoken) & Bill of Lading
RORO and container shipping to UK
Marine insurance (optional)
UK customs clearance & duty/VAT payment
HMRC NOVA notification within 14 days
IVA booking, prep and DVSA inspection
MOT for cars 10+ years
DVLA V55/5 first registration & UK number plates
UK road tax setup
Nationwide delivery to your door
Trusted UK Ports & Sailing Schedule
We ship into every major UK RORO port so you can collect close to home:SouthamptonMain hub — weekly sailings
Bristol (Portbury)Royal Portbury Dock
TilburyLondon-area RORO
ImminghamEast coast
GrimsbyEast coast
SheernessKent
Weekly consolidations depart Japan from Yokohama, Nagoya and Kobe.
❓ FAQs: Importing a Car from Japan to the UK
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to the UK in 2026?
Budget the auction price plus £1,380–£2,200 RORO shipping, 20% VAT on the CIF value, port handling (£250–£450), IVA/MOT and DVLA registration (~£130). Import duty is 0% for Japanese-origin cars under UK–Japan CEPA when a statement of origin is supplied.How long does it take to import a car from Japan to the UK?
End-to-end typically 8–12 weeks: 1–3 weeks sourcing at auction, 35–50 days shipping, and 1–2 weeks for UK clearance, IVA/MOT and DVLA registration.Do I have to pay import duty on a Japanese car?
For most Japanese-manufactured cars, duty is 0% under the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) from 2026 — provided the exporter supplies a valid statement of origin. Otherwise, standard 10% duty applies. Classics 30+ years old and unmodified are 0% duty and 5% VAT.What is NOVA and do I need it?
NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) is an HMRC notification you must file within 14 days of the vehicle arriving in the UK. Carluv files it for you as part of the customs clearance service. You cannot register the car with DVLA until NOVA is cleared.What is an IVA test and does my Japanese car need one?
The Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) is a DVSA safety and environmental test for imported cars under 10 years old that don’t have European type-approval. It checks lights, mirrors, speedometer (mph), emissions and more. Cars 10+ years old are generally IVA-exempt and only need a UK MOT to register.Can I import a Kei car, JDM sports car or right-hand-drive-only model?
Yes — most Japanese cars are already right-hand drive, which makes them ideal for the UK. Kei cars, R32/R33/R34 Skylines, Supras, Land Cruiser 70-series, Alphards and Delicas are all imported regularly through Carluv.Which UK port will my car arrive at?
The main UK RORO port for Japanese imports is Southampton, with additional services into Bristol (Portbury), Tilbury, Immingham, Grimsby and Sheerness. Carluv will route to whichever gets your car closest to you.RORO or container shipping — which should I choose?
RORO is cheaper and standard for running, undamaged cars. Container shipping (20ft or 40ft) is more secure, protects the car from weather and port handling, allows you to ship parts and household items alongside, and is best for high-value, low-slung or non-running vehicles.What documents will I receive?
You’ll get the Bill of Lading, Japan Export Certificate (Shatoken) with English translation, auction sheet, commercial invoice, HMRC NOVA confirmation, IVA/MOT pass certificate and DVLA V5C logbook once registered.Can I finance my Japan-to-UK car import?
Yes — several UK lenders offer classic and import car finance, and we can introduce you to partners once the car is landed and V5C-registered. We also accept staged payments through the process.Do you insure the car during shipping?
Optional marine cargo insurance is available at ~1.5% of CIF value and covers total loss and damage in transit. We strongly recommend it.Can Carluv also import a UK-sourced car for me instead?
Absolutely — Carluv is UK-based, so if you’re outside the UK we can also source a car in the UK and ship it worldwide. See our UK to Kenya, UK to Tanzania and UK to Zimbabwe services.Ready to Import Your Dream JDM?
Whether you’re chasing a rust-free Land Cruiser 70, a mint R34 Skyline GT-R, a Toyota Alphard family bus, or your first Kei sports car — Carluv handles every step from Japanese auction to UK number plate. Get My Free Japan-to-UK Import Quote →📞 +44 7311 271807 • 💬 WhatsApp • ✉️ [email protected]
