Can I import any Japanese car to Australia?

Not any car. Vehicles under 25 years old must be on the SEVS register and ADR-modified by a RAW. Vehicles at least 25 years from manufacture use the simpler concessional RAV entry. Most everyday JDM models are not SEVS-eligible, so the practical pathway for most buyers is the 25-year rule.

What is a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) and is it mandatory?

Yes, mandatory. A VIA from the Australian federal government (rover.infrastructure.gov.au) must be in hand before the car is shipped. Arriving without one can result in the vehicle being detained or destroyed at your cost. Allow up to 60 business days to process it — we guide you through the application from day one.

What taxes do I pay when importing a car from Japan to Australia?

Under JAEPA you pay 0% customs duty with a Japan Certificate of Origin (5% without it), then 10% GST on CIF plus duty. Luxury Car Tax at 33% applies to value above AUD 80,567 (or AUD 91,387 for fuel-efficient cars). State registration, stamp duty and CTP insurance are on top of that.

Does Australia allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?

Yes — and only right-hand drive can be registered, since Australia drives on the left. Japan's domestic stock is almost entirely right-hand drive, which is why Australian enthusiasts and collectors regularly source directly from Japan.

How much does it cost to import a Japanese car to Australia?

The total depends on the car's age pathway (concessional vs SEVS), its value (LCT threshold), your port city, and ADR compliance costs. We quote the full landed cost — auction price, shipping, duty, GST, and any compliance work — before you commit to anything.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Australia

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Australia is a left-hand-drive-traffic country, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars are the only legal option for road registration — but the import rules are among the strictest in the Oceania region and require careful preparation before a single dollar is spent. The key framework is the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA). For vehicles under 25 years old, the car must appear on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) register and be modified to Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance by a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) before it can be registered. Most mainstream Japanese domestic models are not SEVS-eligible, so this route suits specialists, enthusiasts and unique vehicles. The far simpler pathway is the 25-year concessional RAV entry: any right-hand-drive car at least 25 years from its date of manufacture can be imported without SEVS approval, and vehicles 30 years or older may qualify for the Historic Vehicle Scheme with lighter requirements still. Crucially, you must hold a valid Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the federal government before the car is shipped — arriving without one means the vehicle may be detained or destroyed at your cost. On the cost side, Australia's Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) means 0% customs duty applies to Japan-built cars when a Certificate of Origin is provided; without it, the MFN fallback rate of 5% applies instead. You then pay 10% GST on the CIF value plus duty. A Luxury Car Tax (LCT) of 33% applies to the portion of the car's value above AUD 80,567 for standard vehicles, or AUD 91,387 for fuel-efficient cars consuming under 3.5L/100km — these are the 2025–26 thresholds. Pre-2004 vehicles also require an asbestos-free certificate; a positive result can mean vehicle destruction at the owner's expense. Our licensed team walks every client through the VIA application, sources the right car from Japanese auction, and manages shipping to Melbourne or Brisbane with full customs and ADR compliance support.

Main ports: Port of Melbourne
Port of Brisbane
Import age rule: 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.
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: 0% customs duty under JAEPA (Japan CoO required; 5% MFN if no CoO) + 10% GST on CIF+duty + LCT 33% on value above AUD 80,567 (standard) / AUD 91,387 (fuel-efficient <3.5 L/100km) — 2025-26 thresholds.

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Australia

Confirm eligibility: SEVS or 25-year rule
Before anything else, we establish which pathway applies to your car. Under-25-year vehicles must be SEVS-listed and ADR-modified by a RAW; vehicles 25 years or older from date of manufacture use the simpler concessional RAV entry. We will not source a car that cannot be legally registered in Australia.
Apply for a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA)
A VIA from the federal government (rover.infrastructure.gov.au) is legally required before the car is shipped. Allow up to 60 business days for approval. We guide you through the application and hold the process until approval is confirmed.
We source it from Japan's auctions
With our licensed USS auction access our team finds the car, reads the auction sheet and grade, and verifies real condition. Pre-2004 vehicles are flagged for the mandatory asbestos-free certificate requirement before we commit.
Pre-shipment checks and documentation
We prepare the Japan Certificate of Origin needed to claim 0% JAEPA duty, arrange any required asbestos testing for pre-2004 cars, and compile the customs package for Australian Border Force.
Shipping to Melbourne or Brisbane, DAFF biosecurity on arrival
The car sails to the Port of Melbourne or Port of Brisbane. On arrival it goes through a mandatory DAFF (Department of Agriculture) biosecurity inspection. We manage booking, tracking and the biosecurity clearance process.
ADR compliance, customs duty and state registration
SEVS vehicles are handed to a RAW for ADR modifications. All vehicles then clear customs with 0% JAEPA duty and 10% GST, plus LCT if applicable. We quote all costs before you commit and coordinate delivery to your city.

Import duties & taxes in Australia explained

Under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA), a Japan-built car with a valid Certificate of Origin attracts 0% customs duty. Without the CoO the MFN rate of 5% applies. On top of duty you pay 10% GST on the combined CIF plus duty value. The Luxury Car Tax (LCT) at 33% kicks in on the value above AUD 80,567 for standard vehicles or AUD 91,387 for fuel-efficient models consuming under 3.5L/100km (2025–26 thresholds), so high-value Japanese performance or luxury imports can carry a significant additional charge. State-level registration fees, stamp duty and a Compulsory Third Party insurance charge are also payable at registration and vary by state. Because LCT thresholds shift annually and the GST base moves with your specific CIF, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Australia

Toyota Corolla Axio
For 25-year-rule importers the older Axio generations (2006 and earlier) are increasingly eligible for concessional RAV entry — reliable, parts-available and an easy registration once ADRs are satisfied.
See prices
Honda Fit
First-generation Fits (2001–2007) are entering the 25-year window and can be imported under the concessional pathway — excellent fuel efficiency and a well-known parts network in Australia.
See prices
Mazda Demio
Early Demio models from the late 1990s and early 2000s are now 25-year eligible and make a compact, practical hatchback for urban Australian use with low running costs.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
The first-generation Swift is entering the 25-year window and appeals to buyers seeking an affordable, fun Japanese import that skips the SEVS paperwork entirely.
See prices
Toyota Probox
A practical wagon widely used in Japanese fleets; older examples now qualify under the concessional pathway and are valued in Australia for rural and commercial use where durability matters.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Australia

Melbourne — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $200.
Brisbane — Brisbane receives its own direct sailings — inland delivery from the Port of Brisbane runs about $150 for a sedan.
Sydney — Delivery from Melbourne to Sydney adds roughly $350 for a sedan.
Canberra — Delivery from Melbourne to Canberra adds roughly $700 for a sedan.
Adelaide — Delivery from Brisbane to Adelaide adds roughly $1,100 for a sedan.
Perth — Delivery from Brisbane to Perth adds roughly $2,330 for a sedan — the long overland haul makes this the most expensive delivery in the country.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import any Japanese car to Australia?: Not any car. Vehicles under 25 years old must be on the SEVS register and ADR-modified by a RAW. Vehicles at least 25 years from manufacture use the simpler concessional RAV entry. Most everyday JDM models are not SEVS-eligible, so the practical pathway for most buyers is the 25-year rule.
What is a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) and is it mandatory?: Yes, mandatory. A VIA from the Australian federal government (rover.infrastructure.gov.au) must be in hand before the car is shipped. Arriving without one can result in the vehicle being detained or destroyed at your cost. Allow up to 60 business days to process it — we guide you through the application from day one.
What taxes do I pay when importing a car from Japan to Australia?: Under JAEPA you pay 0% customs duty with a Japan Certificate of Origin (5% without it), then 10% GST on CIF plus duty. Luxury Car Tax at 33% applies to value above AUD 80,567 (or AUD 91,387 for fuel-efficient cars). State registration, stamp duty and CTP insurance are on top of that.
Does Australia allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?: Yes — and only right-hand drive can be registered, since Australia drives on the left. Japan's domestic stock is almost entirely right-hand drive, which is why Australian enthusiasts and collectors regularly source directly from Japan.
How much does it cost to import a Japanese car to Australia?: The total depends on the car's age pathway (concessional vs SEVS), its value (LCT threshold), your port city, and ADR compliance costs. We quote the full landed cost — auction price, shipping, duty, GST, and any compliance work — before you commit to anything.