How do you import a car from Japan to Australia, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
To import a car from Japan to Australia, a Japan-built car with JAEPA origin documents pays 0% customs duty (5% without), 10% GST on value plus duty and 33% Luxury Car Tax only above the LCT threshold, so most cars pay about 10% of CIF. Import approval through ROVER is needed before shipping: the 25-year route or a SEVs Register model modified by a RAW.
Worked example: a 2020 Toyota Alphard 2.5 L hybrid costs about 54,200 to 62,500 AUD (US$37,800 to US$43,600) delivered to Melbourne, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Australia
Australia drives on the left and right-hand-drive Japanese cars suit its roads, but import rules are strict. Under section 22 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 it is an offence to import a road vehicle without an approval, and the Australian Border Force will not release a car that arrives without one. Approvals are applied for through ROVER, the department's online portal. For a private buyer there are two main routes. A car 25 years or older can be approved under the older-vehicles concessional RAV entry. A younger car must be on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVs) Register and be modified by a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) to an approved Model Report before an authorised vehicle verifier enters it on the Register of Approved Vehicles. Most mainstream Japanese models are not on the SEVs Register; it lists vehicles not otherwise sold in Australia, such as certain hybrid people carriers, kei cars and performance models. Taxes are low for typical cars: 0% duty with JAEPA origin documents, 10% GST, and Luxury Car Tax only on expensive cars. Asbestos is prohibited, and biosecurity cleaning is required before shipping.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Australia?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- MINIMUM 25 years from manufacture for concessional RAV entry (RVSA 2018). Under 25 years: must appear on the SEVS Register and be modified by a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) to meet ADRs. Vehicles 30+ years may qualify for the Historic Vehicle Scheme.
- Inspection
- ROVER VIA (Vehicle Import Approval) required BEFORE shipping — apply at rover.infrastructure.gov.au (allow ≤60 business days). Pre-2004 vehicles need an asbestos-free certificate. DAFF biosecurity inspection on arrival. ADR compliance by a RAW before state registration.
- Permits
- ROVER VIA (Vehicle Import Approval) mandatory. For SEVS pathway: RAW Model Report + SEVS approval before purchase. JAEPA Certificate of Origin (or Approved Exporter declaration) required to claim 0% duty.
- Restrictions
- LHD vehicles cannot be registered for road use. Pre-2004 vehicles require asbestos testing — positive result may lead to vehicle destruction. Arrival without a valid VIA = detained or destroyed at owner cost. Most mainstream JDM models are NOT SEVS-eligible.
- Special rules
- Three pathways: (1) 25-Year Concessional RAV Entry; (2) SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme); (3) Personal Import Scheme (owned + used overseas ≥12 months, no resale within 12 months post-import).
- Entry ports
- Port of Melbourne, Port of Brisbane
How do you import a car from Japan to Australia, step by step?
Find the right approval route
If the car is 25 years or older, it can use the older-vehicles concessional RAV entry. If it is younger, check that the exact model and build date are on the SEVs Register and that an approved Model Report exists.
Agree the work with a RAW (SEVs route)
For a SEVs car, the applicant must own or intend to own the car and have access to an approved Model Report. Discuss the purchase with a Registered Automotive Workshop before buying.
Apply for import approval in ROVER
Submit a concessional RAV entry application in ROVER. Assessment generally takes up to 30 working days. Do not ship the car until the approval is granted.
Buy the car, clean it and check for asbestos
After purchase the export certificate is issued. The car must be free of asbestos and of biosecurity contamination before it leaves Japan; the ABF can ask for evidence that parts are asbestos-free.
Ship to Melbourne or Brisbane
Cars from Japan arrive at Melbourne or Brisbane, mostly by RoRo vessel. A biosecurity inspection takes place on arrival.
Lodge the import declaration and pay taxes
A customs broker lodges the import declaration with the import approval and JAEPA origin document. The ABF releases the car once duty, GST and any Luxury Car Tax are paid.
Complete RAW work and register in your state
For a SEVs car, the RAW carries out the Model Report work and an authorised vehicle verifier enters it on the RAV. The car can then be registered by the state or territory transport authority.
Documents checklist
- Import approval (concessional RAV entry) from ROVER
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate with English translation
- JAEPA certificate of origin or origin certification document for 0% duty
- Bill of lading
- Asbestos-free evidence where the ABF requests it
- Import declaration lodged by a customs broker
- RAW and authorised vehicle verifier records (SEVs route)
- State or territory registration application
What import duties and taxes does Australia charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty (JAEPA 0% for Japan-built; 5% MFN fallback) | 0% | CIF value |
| GST (10% on CIF + duty) | 10% | CIF + import duty |
| Luxury Car Tax (33% on CIF excess above AUD 80,809) | 33% above AUD 80,809 | CIF value |
Customs Duty (JAEPA 0% for Japan-built; 5% MFN fallback)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
GST (10% on CIF + duty)
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Luxury Car Tax (33% on CIF excess above AUD 80,809)
Rate: 33% of the CIF value above AUD 80,809. Charged on: CIF value. Source: Australian Border Force — GST and other taxes.
Three charges apply at import. Customs duty is 0% of CIF for a car made in Japan when a JAEPA certificate of origin or origin certification document is presented; otherwise the general 5% rate applies. GST of 10% is charged on the customs value plus duty. Luxury Car Tax of 33% applies only to the amount by which the car's value exceeds the LCT threshold, which the ATO resets each financial year; a higher threshold applies to fuel-efficient cars, defined from 1 July 2025 as using no more than 3.5 L/100 km, so most hybrids now use the standard threshold. The ABF collects all three before releasing the car. Costs that are not taxes, such as RAW compliance work, asbestos testing, biosecurity cleaning and state registration, are often larger than the tax bill for a mid-priced car.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Australia?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Brisbane | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota Alphard 2.5 L hybrid | US$28,900 | US$30,300 | US$3,03010% of CIF | AUD 54,200 – 62,500US$37,800 – US$43,600 |
| 2019 Toyota Noah 1.8 L hybrid | US$13,700 | US$15,200 | US$1,52010% of CIF | AUD 30,300 – 38,600US$21,100 – US$27,000 |
| 2019 Suzuki Jimny 0.7 L | US$18,900 | US$20,400 | US$2,04010% of CIF | AUD 38,500 – 46,800US$26,900 – US$32,700 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Melbourne. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
This market taxes by engine size, age or fuel. Enter all three for a tighter figure.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Melbourne | RoRo or container | 14–20 | US$1,350 |
| Brisbane | RoRo or container | 16–26 | US$1,200 |
Every car must be clean of biosecurity contamination inside and out before it arrives, and must be free of asbestos before it is shipped.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Australia?
- Models and prices
Toyota Alphard
The AYH30 Alphard and Vellfire hybrids built from July 2019 to June 2023 are on the SEVs Register under the environmental criterion, with approved Model Reports.
- Models and prices
Toyota Noah
The ZWR80 Noah and Voxy hybrids built from 2018 to 2021 are on the SEVs Register as low-emission people movers not sold new in Australia.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Jimny
The 660 cc JB64W kei Jimny is on the SEVs Register under the environmental criterion. The larger Jimny sold new in Australia is a different model.
- Models and prices
Nissan Skyline
Several Skyline generations are on the SEVs Register under the performance criterion, including the V36 built from 2007 to 2013. The R34 also qualifies, and early cars now pass the 25-year rule.
- Models and prices
Mitsubishi Delica D:5
A 4WD people carrier popular as a camper. Check the exact variant and build date against the SEVs Register before buying.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Australia?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | Brisbane | US$960 | US$1,200 | 5 |
| Sydney | Brisbane | US$580 | US$720 | 3 |
| Brisbane | Brisbane | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Adelaide | Brisbane | US$1,100 | US$1,380 | 7 |
| Perth | Brisbane | US$2,330 | US$2,910 | 10 |
| Canberra | Brisbane | US$700 | US$880 | 5 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- Can I import any car from Japan to Australia?
- No. You need an import approval before shipping. Cars 25 years or older can use the older-vehicles route; younger cars must be on the SEVs Register and be modified by a RAW.
- What is the 25-year rule for importing cars to Australia?
- Cars 25 years or older can apply for a concessional RAV entry under the older-vehicles criterion without being on the SEVs Register. An import approval is still required.
- What is the SEVs Register?
- A public list of vehicles that meet the specialist and enthusiast criteria under section 129 of the Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019. Being listed is the first step, not an import approval.
- How much is import duty on a Japanese car in Australia?
- 0% for a car made in Japan with a JAEPA certificate of origin or origin certification document. Without it the general 5% rate applies.
- Do I pay GST on an imported car in Australia?
- Yes. GST is 10% of the customs value plus any duty, paid to the ABF before the car is released.
- When does Luxury Car Tax apply to an imported car?
- When the GST-inclusive value is above the LCT threshold set each financial year. LCT is 33% of the amount above the threshold, so most mid-priced imports pay none.
- What happens if my car arrives without an import approval?
- The ABF will not release it. Storage costs fall on the importer, and the car may have to be exported or destroyed at the importer's expense.
- How long does an import approval take in Australia?
- A complete application is generally assessed within 30 working days. Apply through ROVER and wait for the approval before shipping.
- Does a car from Japan need an asbestos check for Australia?
- Yes. Importing asbestos is prohibited, and the ABF can require assurance that parts are asbestos-free before releasing the car.
Sources
- Department of Infrastructure — Importing a road vehicle into Australia — checked 15 October 2026
- Department of Infrastructure — Specialist and enthusiast vehicles (SEVs Register) — checked 15 October 2026
- Australian Border Force — Importing a motor vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- Australian Border Force — GST and other taxes (Luxury Car Tax) — checked 15 October 2026
- Australian Border Force — JAEPA free trade agreement — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Australia
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.