How much is import duty on cars from Japan to the UK?

Cars imported from Japan to the UK pay 10% import duty on the cost-insurance-freight (CIF) value, plus 20% VAT on the duty-paid value. EU-origin cars under the trade agreement pay 0% duty.

How much is VAT on imported cars in the UK?

VAT is 20% of the duty-paid value (CIF + import duty + UK arrival costs). For a £20,000 car shipped from Japan, total tax is roughly £20,000 × 1.10 × 1.20 = £26,400 landed.

Are classic cars exempt from import duty?

Cars over 30 years old in original condition are classed as collectors' items under HMRC commodity code 9705 - 0% duty and 5% reduced VAT instead of 20%.

Do I pay VAT twice on a used import?

Only once. If VAT was paid in another country and proof is provided, HMRC may apply margin scheme rules. We handle the VAT paperwork on every import we sell.

Import duty, VAT & DVLA fees

Import duty

Passenger cars: 10% of (vehicle price + shipping)
Commercial vehicles / pickups: 22% of (vehicle price + shipping)
Cars over 30 years old (classics): typically 0%

VAT

UK VAT at 20% applies to the total of vehicle + shipping + duty.

DVLA first registration

£55 flat fee. Annual road tax depends on emissions and is paid separately.

Example calculation

£15,000 vehicle + £1,500 shipping:

Duty: 10% × £16,500 = £1,650
VAT: 20% × £18,150 = £3,630
DVLA: £55
Total landed cost: £20,835

Use our import cost estimator to plug in your own numbers.