What is the import duty from Japan to UK?

0% for qualifying Japanese-origin vehicles under the UK-Japan CEPA agreement, otherwise 10%. VAT at 20% applies to the customs value either way.

How long does Japan to UK shipping take?

28 to 35 days by RORO from Yokohama to Southampton. 30 to 38 days by container to Tilbury or Felixstowe.

Can I import a Nissan Skyline R34 to the UK?

Yes - the R34 GT-R is over 25 years old (production 1999-2002) and qualifies for straightforward import. NOVA, duty and VAT apply, plus age-related MOT and DVLA registration.

What is NOVA and do I need it for a Japanese car?

NOVA (Notification Of Vehicle Arrival) is a mandatory HMRC filing within 14 days of any imported vehicle arriving in the UK. Yes, it applies to every Japanese import.

Importing a Car from Japan to the UK

Bring a JDM legend home. End-to-end Yokohama to Southampton or Tilbury service for Skylines, Supras, Evos, Imprezas, Kei trucks and more.

Get a Free Quote Call +44 01495 320540 View Sailing Schedule

Why Import a Car from Japan to the UK?

The Japanese domestic market (JDM) produces and preserves cars that were never sold new in Europe - Nissan Skyline GT-R variants, Toyota Supra A80, Honda NSX-R, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza STI Spec C, Honda S2000 Type S, Mazda RX-7 Spirit R and the entire Kei truck and Kei van category. Because Japan drives on the left, JDM cars are right-hand drive and slot straight into UK roads. Japanese vehicles are typically low-mileage thanks to expensive shaken inspections and a strong second-hand replacement culture, and rust is rare on cars from the southern islands. The UK JDM scene is the strongest in Europe and a clean, original GT-R or Evo can appreciate faster than most asset classes.

Japan to UK Shipping Methods

Two routes serve the trade lane, mirroring the outbound options.

RORO Japan to UK

RORO is the workhorse for standard JDM cars in good running condition. Yokohama to Southampton on dedicated car carriers takes 28 to 35 days, with sailings every two weeks on operators including NYK and K-Line. Cost is from £750 per vehicle. The car is driven on at Yokohama and driven off at Southampton, lashed to the deck for the voyage. Best for daily drivers, late-model JDM cars and standard road-legal imports.

Container Japan to UK

For rare, high-value or modified JDM cars, container is the safer choice. Sole-use 20ft from £1,200 or shared 40ft from £900 per vehicle space, arriving at Tilbury or Felixstowe. Transit is 30 to 38 days via Suez. Container protects original paintwork, accepts non-runners (essential for project cars and barn finds) and allows personal effects to be loaded alongside.

Japan to UK Shipping Costs 2026

Standard saloon RORO from £750. SUV / 4x4 RORO from £900. Sole-use 20ft container from £1,200. Shared 40ft from £900 per vehicle. These are ocean freight prices only - UK arrival costs (duty, VAT, port handling, IVA if applicable) are paid on arrival.

UK Import Rules for Japanese Vehicles

Right-hand drive is no obstacle. The vehicle must complete a NOVA (Notification Of Vehicle Arrival) filing with HMRC within 14 days of arrival, after which duty and VAT are calculated. Vehicles less than 10 years old must usually pass IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) - a single-vehicle type approval test administered by DVSA. Vehicles over 10 years old can usually be registered as a pre-registered import without IVA, provided they pass MOT. Pre-1977 historic vehicles are exempt from VED and IVA and benefit from rolling MOT exemption. Once cleared and tested, DVLA issues a UK V5C and a Q-plate or age-related number plate.

Import Duty UK on Japanese Cars

Under the post-Brexit UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), qualifying Japanese-origin vehicles are eligible for 0% import duty into the UK. Non-qualifying vehicles attract 10% duty (standard MFN passenger car rate). VAT at 20% is then applied to the customs value (CIF plus duty). For most genuine JDM cars, the 0% duty rate applies but requires a valid statement of origin from the Japanese exporter - we help arrange this.

Popular JDM Cars Imported to UK

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33 and the legendary R34) tops the list. Toyota Supra A80 (the MkIV twin-turbo) is close behind, especially since the second Fast and Furious wave. Honda NSX (both first-gen and rare NSX-R), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV through IX, Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C, Honda S2000 (AP1 and AP2), Mazda RX-7 FD3S, Mazda Eunos Cosmo, Toyota Chaser JZX100, Nissan Silvia S15, Nissan 180SX, Honda Integra Type R DC2 and DC5, Mazda MX-5 Eunos Roadster, and the entire Kei category (Suzuki Jimny, Honda Beat, Daihatsu Hijet, Subaru Sambar truck) move regularly through our service.

Step by Step Japan to UK Import Process

Source the car (USS Tokyo, BCA Yokohama, dealer or private). We arrange Japanese export customs and ground transport to Yokohama. Loading and sailing. Arrival at Southampton (RORO) or Tilbury (container). NOVA filed within 14 days. HMRC issues a C88 entry; duty and VAT paid. IVA test booked if required (or evidence of age for 10+ year exemption). MOT and DVLA V5C registration. UK number plates fitted, car released for road use.

Finding a Car in Japan - Tips

USS (Used Car System Solutions) runs Japan's largest weekly auctions across 18 sites; it accounts for around 40% of all used car sales nationally. Cars are graded on a 1-S scale by an independent inspector, with an interior grade (A-E) and a written auction sheet that flags accident history, repaint and modifications. Always insist on the original auction sheet before bidding. Late-model GT-Rs typically sit at grade 3.5 or above, sub-20,000km examples grade 4 or better. Avoid R-graded cars unless you understand structural damage.

Booking a Japanese Auction Bid

USS and JAA auction houses are not open to private foreign buyers - you bid through a licensed Japanese auction agent. We partner with English-speaking auction agents in Tokyo and Osaka who provide the auction sheet translation, set the maximum bid, attend the auction on your behalf and arrange ground transport to Yokohama after a successful purchase. Auction fees are typically 30000 to 50000 JPY per car plus a percentage of the hammer price for higher-end lots. The full process from setting a bid to receiving the bill of lading takes three to five weeks.

NOVA, Duty and VAT Worked Example

A worked example clarifies the UK arrival cost. Imagine an R34 GT-R purchased in Japan for 5 million JPY (around 27000 GBP at current exchange) with 1500 GBP of ocean freight and 400 GBP of UK port handling. CIF value is 28900 GBP. Under UK-Japan CEPA the qualifying-origin duty rate is 0 per cent, so duty is 0 GBP. VAT at 20 per cent applies to the customs value (CIF plus duty) which is 5780 GBP. IVA test fee is around 456 GBP. Total UK landed cost is approximately 35136 GBP plus DVLA registration of 55 GBP. We can run an exact landed-cost calculation for your specific vehicle before you bid at auction.

Ready to ship to or from Japan?

Speak to a Japan trade specialist for live sailing schedules and a fixed all-in price.

Request a Quote RORO Schedule Email info@shipcars.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Vehicles less than 10 years old generally require IVA. Vehicles over 10 years old can usually be registered as a pre-registered import without IVA, subject to MOT. Pre-1977 historic vehicles are exempt.