How to import a car from Japan to the UK
The whole process in plain English, from finding the car to fitting UK plates, with typical timings and costs.
By the AutoImporter team8 min read
Japan is the UK’s favourite place to import a car from. The cars drive on the left, are usually well looked after, and every auction car comes with an independent inspection report. Here’s how the process works, step by step.
1. Find the right car
Most Japanese cars are sold through large weekly auctions. Thousands of cars go through every week, which gives you a lot of choice and usually a fair price. You can also buy from Japanese dealers.
The key document is the auction sheet: the inspector’s report on the car’s grade, mileage and every mark. It’s written in Japanese shorthand, so it needs translating. If you use our sourcing service, we translate it for you and explain what it means.
Tip: Grade 4 and above is generally a good, honest car. An “R” grade means the car has had accident repairs. That isn’t always a deal-breaker, but it needs a careful look.
2. Ship it to the UK
Once bought, the car is de-registered in Japan and issued an export certificate. This confirms its first registration date and mileage, and DVLA uses it later.
There are two main shipping options:
| Method | Best for | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Standard cars that run | 6–8 weeks |
| Container | Classics, high-value cars | 6–8 weeks |
3. Customs, duty and VAT
When the car arrives, a customs declaration is made and the import taxes are paid.
- Import duty: 0% for cars built in Japan. Under the UK–Japan trade agreement (CEPA), Japanese-built vehicles can be imported duty-free, as long as a valid origin claim is made with the customs declaration. We prepare it for you. A car that was sold in Japan but built elsewhere pays the standard rate, usually 10%.
- Import VAT: 20%, calculated on the car’s value plus shipping and insurance.
Cars over 30 years old in original condition can qualify for a reduced 5% VAT rate.
HMRC must also be told the car has arrived. This is called NOVA, and it has to be done within 14 days.
4. Make it UK road-legal
Most Japanese imports need a few changes:
- Headlights adjusted for driving on the left
- A speedometer that shows miles per hour
- A rear fog light, if one isn’t fitted
Cars under 10 years old usually need IVA, the test that proves an imported car meets UK standards. Vehicles over 3 and under 40 years old also need an MOT before they can be registered.
5. Register with DVLA
Finally, a V55/5 application is sent to DVLA with the NOVA reference, test certificate and export certificate. DVLA issues a UK registration number and the V5C logbook, and the plates go on.
How long does it all take?
Allow around 10–14 weeks from purchase to UK plates. Shipping is the longest part; the rest typically takes 3–5 weeks when everything is done by one team.
Ready to see the numbers? Get an instant, itemised quote.
See typical transit times and costs on our Japan to UK import page, or let us find the car for you with Japanese car sourcing.