How to Import a Car from Japan: Process Guide

USS membership conditions

USS lists these conditions for membership: registration in Japan for corporations, or for individuals residence in Japan with a certified copy of residence and an official seal registration certificate; full-time Japanese-speaking staff; a used-vehicle trading licence from the National Public Safety Commission obtained at least one year before applying; a Qualified Invoicing Business Registration Number; and joint guarantors or use of the SS membership system.

How USS inspects cars

USS says its inspectors evaluate vehicles on a 10-grade scoring system and that vehicle photographs and inspection results are entered into a database. Members can conduct preliminary inspections of stored vehicles, and members using a dedicated terminal or the internet can submit on-site preliminary inspection proxy requests.

The auction grading guide explains how to read auction sheets.

Buying from a dealer or exporter

JETRO's Q&A for exporters says a business that exports used cars obtains a secondhand-dealer permit (kobutsusho) from the prefectural public safety commission. JETRO says buying used goods in Japan needs that permit even when the goods are for export, and that the permit is not a requirement for making an export declaration at customs.

If you buy from an exporter, you can ask whether it holds the permit.

Export certificates

For a vehicle whose registration has already been deleted, Japan Customs says the owner must inform the ministry of the intention to export, return the Certificate of Registration Deletion and obtain a Certificate of Notice of Planned Export.

Both certificates are valid for six months from the date of issue. The owner provides the relevant one to customs when the export inspection is confirmed.

Customs declaration

Japan Customs says the exporter must declare the export to customs and obtain an export permit after the necessary physical examination. The declaration is accompanied by supporting documents such as invoices and, where other Japanese laws require it, by permits, approvals or licences.

Documents and preparation

JETRO lists the customs documents usually required for a used-car export from Japan as an invoice, packing list, bill of lading, export deregistration certificate and, if the buyer requests it, a pre-shipment inspection certificate. It advises confirming with the overseas buyer which documents the importing country needs. JETRO adds that under an FOB contract the buyer books the ship.

JETRO also warns that mud on the body or tyres, or plants or seeds inside the car, can cause quarantine problems in the importing country, including refused clearance and disinfection costs, so the car needs thorough washing and cleaning.

Shipping contract and insurance

The US Federal Maritime Commission's consumer guidance for shipping a vehicle overseas (checked 12 October 2026) advises clarifying whether the mover will provide customs clearance or whether you are responsible for it. If the mover provides it, the FMC says to ask that the contract state which items are covered and excluded and what these services cost. It also says licensed shipping companies are required to post a monetary bond for the protection of their customers.

The FMC says many companies will not ship a vehicle that contains loose items. It advises keeping a copy of the vehicle title if you are asked to submit it for customs clearance.

On insurance, the FMC advises reviewing the policy terms, because some policies only protect against total loss of a vessel and routine damage in transit may not be covered. Marine insurance is usually provided by third parties rather than the mover, and the FMC advises requesting a copy of any policy bought on your behalf.

Importer Security Filing for US-bound cargo

For cargo arriving by vessel, 19 CFR 149.2 (checked 12 October 2026) requires an Importer Security Filing, with exceptions for bulk cargo under 149.4(a) and break bulk cargo under 149.4(b). Outside those exceptions, the seller, buyer, importer of record number and consignee numbers, and the manufacturer, ship-to party, country of origin and commodity HTSUS number, are due no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard the vessel at the foreign port.

Where the break bulk exception applies, 19 CFR 149.4 says the filing is presented 24 hours before the cargo's arrival in the United States. Ask your filer which rule covers your shipment.

United States: NHTSA and EPA age tests

NHTSA's import declaration form HS-7 has a box for a vehicle that is 25 or more years old and asks for its date of manufacture. The regulation behind that box, 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1), reads: "The vehicle is 25 or more years old."

EPA's Form 3520-1 (August 2024 revision) describes Code E as a vehicle at least 21 years old, found by subtracting the calendar year of manufacture from the year of importation, in original unmodified configuration. The form says vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible unless the replacement engine is the same model as originally installed, or an engine with any aftertreatment from a certified vehicle no older than the one being imported. Customs may require proof of vehicle age.

EPA's explanatory page, under a heading on importing vehicles over 21 years old, says EPA has long interpreted the equivalence requirement to mean the engine must be identical to the one originally installed, meaning the same model and configuration. The two EPA documents word the engine condition differently, and EPA encourages importers to contact its Imports Hotline before importation, so confirm a car with a replaced engine with EPA first.

NHTSA and EPA apply separate tests on separate forms. Under 40 CFR 85.1511(h), a vehicle admitted under that section must still comply with any other federal or state requirements.

United States: duties

CBP's guidance on the 25 percent Section 232 automobile duty, effective 3 April 2025, assigns heading 9903.94.04, with a 0% additional ad valorem rate, to passenger vehicles and light trucks manufactured in a year at least 25 years before the year of entry. That heading compares calendar years and is a tariff provision, separate from the NHTSA and EPA import tests above.

CBP's separate guidance of 23 July 2026 on Section 301 duties, effective 24 July 2026, lists heading 9903.05.49. Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85 to 9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan with a column 1 duty rate under 12.5 percent are assessed a combined column one and Section 301 duty rate of 12.5%. Which headings apply to a given car depends on its classification, origin and entry date, so ask a licensed customs broker to confirm them before you set a budget.

United States: state registration

California DMV says a direct-import vehicle that was not originally manufactured to meet California emissions standards and DOT FMVSS cannot be registered in California unless it is modified and tested under CARB's direct import program. It adds that if the vehicle is over two years old, it may be expensive or impossible to convert. Other states set their own rules; see the US import process guide and its state pages.

Canada

Transport Canada says most vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than the United States do not comply with Motor Vehicle Safety Act requirements and cannot be imported, and that the Act has no provision allowing such a vehicle to be modified to meet Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

It says a vehicle fifteen years old or older, as determined by the month and year it was manufactured, is considered admissible because it is no longer regulated under the Act. A bus manufactured before 1 January 1971 is also considered admissible. These vehicles must still meet Canada Border Services Agency admissibility requirements, and Transport Canada advises contacting it before importing under these circumstances.

United Kingdom

GOV.UK says that if a vehicle is shipped to the UK, you must pay a shipping company or customs agent to make the import declaration, and that you must tell HM Revenue and Customs within 14 days that the vehicle has arrived. You then get vehicle approval, and register and tax the vehicle with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

New Zealand

New Zealand Customs says GST is calculated at 15% on the total of the value of the goods plus duty (if applicable) plus freight, postal or courier, and insurance charges.

For a personal vehicle, Customs advises enquiring with NZTA before importing to confirm the vehicle can be registered in New Zealand. It says that if the vehicle later cannot be certified for New Zealand roads, a GST refund will not be approved even if the vehicle is exported. All motor vehicles must have a connected and working odometer.

Ireland

Revenue says the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) registers vehicles on its behalf. You must make an appointment with the NCTS within seven days of bringing the vehicle into the State and register it within 30 days, and additional Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is payable if you fail to register within 30 days.

For a used vehicle from Japan, Revenue asks you to bring the Japanese Export Certificate and confirmation of the CO2 and NOx emissions levels from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport website. The vehicle description and weight must match the Export Certificate.