Importing a car from Japan has a lot of moving parts, and the fear is forgetting one of them until the car is already at sea. This is the list we would want in your hands: what to check before you buy, what to sort before it ships, and what happens once it lands. Tick things off as you go and the page will remember where you got to.
- Typical journey
- 5 to 8 weeks
- Usual method
- RoRo
- Key document
- Export certificate
- Tell HMRC
- Within 14 days of arrival
1. Before you buy
Most of the cost and most of the work is decided by the car you choose. Two things matter more than anything: the build date and the condition.
Before you buy
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For the tax side, the cost of importing from Japan works through a full example, and the import tax calculator will run your own numbers.
2. Before it ships
If you bought at auction, the auction agent usually arranges the inland transport and the shipment. Either way, the car needs checking and the paperwork needs to reach us before it sails.
Paperwork
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Sending the export certificate early lets us check the car's technical details before it ships, so we know what changes to expect.
The car itself
These are the checks we suggest before any car is shipped. A car that leaves in good order is less likely to need remedial work at this end, which has a knock-on effect on cost and time.
Pre-shipping checks
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If it is going by RoRo
RoRo is the usual route from Japan and costs less than a container. Port staff drive the car on and off, so it has a couple of extra rules:
- The car must run and drive
- It should normally be empty, with no belongings or loose parts
If the car does not run, or you want it sealed away for the voyage, a container is the better choice. See container, RoRo or air.
3. When it lands
This part is ours to handle. As HMRC CDS authorised agents, we make the customs entry, and the rest follows in order.
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On arrival
Customs entry
We clear the car and the import tax is paid, or relief applied under Transfer of Residence.
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Within 14 days
NOVA
We tell HMRC the car has arrived. The DVLA will reject a registration without it.
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At our site
Changes
A rear fog light if needed, and a speedo in mph on cars under 10 years old.
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At our site
IVA or MOT
IVA for cars under 10 years old, MOT for older cars, on our own lanes. Cars over 40 years old need no MOT.
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Within 10 working days
Registration
Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register the car, then we fit your plates.
4. Once it is registered
Ready for the road
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Do not leave tax to chance. Import VAT and duty are paid at the UK border. If you are relying on Transfer of Residence, apply to HMRC before the car ships, as we need the reference to clear it tax free.
Questions people ask
What documents do I need to import a car from Japan?
The Japanese export certificate, the purchase invoice or auction paperwork, and your passport. If you are moving to the UK, you also need your HMRC Transfer of Residence reference.
Does my car need to run to ship from Japan?
For RoRo, yes: port staff drive it on and off. A car that does not run can go in a container instead.
Can I leave belongings in the car?
Not normally on RoRo, where the car should be empty with no belongings or loose parts. Containers are more flexible.
What happens if I miss the NOVA deadline?
HMRC must be told within 14 days of the car arriving, and the DVLA will reject a registration without it. When we handle your import, we do the NOVA for you.
Got a car in mind? Send it over on the quote form and we will go through the list with you.
