Import cost estimator
Indicative duty + VAT + DVLA. Final figures depend on HMRC valuation.
- Vehicle
- £15,000
- Shipping
- £1,500
- Import duty
- £1,650
- VAT (20%)
- £3,630
- DVLA first registration
- £55
- Total
- £21,835
How Japan to UK car import costs are calculated
The total UK landed cost of a Japanese import is the sum of: auction hammer + auction fees + Japan transport + Japan port handling + marine shipping + UK port and customs + 10% import duty + 20% VAT + IVA test (where applicable) + DVLA registration.
2026 HMRC rates for Japanese imports
- Import duty: 10% on the CIF value (cost + insurance + freight). Cars over 30 years old in original condition qualify as collectors items under HMRC code 9705 with 0% duty.
- VAT: 20% on the duty-paid value (CIF + import duty + UK arrival costs). Reduced 5% on classics.
- IVA test: from £450 for cars under 10 years old. Cars over 10 years are usually exempt.
- DVLA registration: £55 first registration fee plus vehicle tax based on CO2.
Worked example: £20,000 hammer JDM from USS Tokyo
Hammer £20,000 + £1,500 Japan auction and transport + £1,800 RoRo shipping + £300 marine insurance = £23,600 CIF. Add 10% duty = £25,960. Add 20% VAT = £31,152. Add IVA + DVLA = ~£31,700 landed.
Use the calculator above for your own numbers, or browse cars in stock where the listed price already includes every UK landing cost.