How do you import a car from Japan to Barbados, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Barbados charges 45% import duty, excise of 46.95% or 76.34% on CIF plus duty depending on engine and fuel, a 1% environmental levy and 17.5% VAT, which together add roughly 150% to 200% of the CIF value. A used car must be right-hand drive, no more than 4 years old and under 50,000 km to get an import licence.
Worked example: a 2023 Toyota Yaris 1.5 L costs about 84,500 to 86,400 BBD (US$42,300 to US$43,200) delivered to Bridgetown, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Barbados
Barbados drives on the left and limits used imports tightly. To get an import licence a used or reconditioned vehicle must be right-hand drive, no more than 4 years old, with under 50,000 km, structurally and mechanically sound, and accompanied by a certificate of roadworthiness from an authorised agent in the exporting country. In 2026 that means only very recent Japanese stock qualifies. Barbados has some of the highest car taxes in the region. Excise is the largest single tax and depends on engine size, fuel and the chargeable value of the car. Its rates are set in the Excise Tax (Validation of Tax) (Motor Vehicles) Act, 2017. Customs does not value used vehicles on the invoice alone; it uses a depreciation-based method. Registration is handled by the Barbados Licensing Authority after customs release.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Barbados?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Generally vehicles must be 4 years or under and <=50,000 km unless returning national/diplomat/classic exception.
- Inspection
- Import licence, customs, registration
- Entry ports
- Bridgetown
How do you import a car from Japan to Barbados, step by step?
Check age, mileage and steering
Confirm the car is right-hand drive, no more than 4 years old and under 50,000 km. Returning nationals who have owned a car for at least 4 years are an exception.
Apply for the import licence
Used vehicles need an import licence before shipment. Individuals importing on their own behalf submit a letter of application seeking permission to import the car.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. It confirms the year of manufacture and the mileage record.
Obtain a certificate of roadworthiness
The car must be accompanied by a certificate of roadworthiness from an authorised agent in the country of origin, and must be fitted with new tyres.
Ship to Bridgetown
Cars from Japan arrive at Bridgetown. The bill of lading is needed for the customs declaration.
Clear customs and pay the taxes
The customs declaration (Form C63) is lodged with the Barbados Revenue Authority customs office. It assesses duty, excise, the environmental levy and VAT on a depreciation-based value.
Register with the Barbados Licensing Authority
The BLA registers the car on form L.A. 33 with the C63 customs declaration, insurance, a weight certificate and an examiner's certificate.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate with English translation
- Import licence (letter of application for individual importers)
- Certificate of roadworthiness from an authorised agent in Japan
- Original bill of lading
- Customs declaration (Form C63)
- Insurance certificate or cover note
- Weight certificate and examiner's certificate
- Registration form L.A. 33
What import duties and taxes does Barbados charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (CARICOM CET) | 45% | CIF value |
| Excise tax (petrol)Applies to petrol vehicles only | 46.95%–76.34% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise tax (diesel)Applies to diesel vehicles only | 46.95%–76.34% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise tax (hybrid)Applies to hybrid vehicles only | 20%–120% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Excise tax (electric)Applies to ev vehicles only | 46.95%–76.34% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Environmental levy | 1% | CIF value |
| VAT | 17.5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty (CARICOM CET)
Rate: 45%. Charged on: CIF value.
Excise tax (petrol)
Rate: 46.95% up to 1,600 cc; 76.34% above 1,600 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to petrol vehicles only.
Excise tax (diesel)
Rate: 46.95% up to 2,000 cc; 76.34% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to diesel vehicles only.
Excise tax (hybrid)
Rate: 20% up to 1,600 cc; 35% up to 1,799 cc; 46.95% up to 1,999 cc; 120% above 1,999 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to hybrid vehicles only. Source: BRA — Excise Tax (Validation of Tax) (Motor Vehicles) Act, 2017.
Excise tax (electric)
Rate: 46.95% up to 2,000 cc; 76.34% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to ev vehicles only.
Environmental levy
Rate: 1%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 17.5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Import duty is 45% of the CIF value, the CARICOM Common External Tariff rate for motor vehicles. Excise is charged on CIF plus duty at 46.95% or 76.34%: petrol cars split at 1,600 cc and diesel cars at 2,000 cc, for a chargeable value up to BBD 55,000. Under the Excise Tax (Validation of Tax) (Motor Vehicles) Act, 2017, cars with a higher chargeable value pay 64.35%, 93.73% or 120%, and hybrids have their own lower rates by engine size. The environmental levy is 1% of CIF. VAT of 17.5% is charged on the total of CIF, duty, excise and levy. Customs values used vehicles with a depreciation-based method rather than the invoice price alone.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Barbados?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Bridgetown | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Yaris 1.5 L | US$14,200 | US$16,500 | US$25,000152% of CIF | BBD 84,500 – 86,400US$42,300 – US$43,200 |
| 2023 Suzuki Swift 1.2 L | US$11,600 | US$13,900 | US$21,000152% of CIF | BBD 71,500 – 73,300US$35,700 – US$36,700 |
| 2023 Mazda CX-5 2.2 L diesel | US$27,000 | US$29,700 | US$59,900202% of CIF | BBD 181,000 – 183,000US$90,400 – US$91,500 |
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 Bridgetown. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | RoRo or container | 40–45 | US$2,250 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Barbados?
- Models and prices
Toyota Yaris
A 1.5-litre petrol hatchback. A small engine and a low value keep it in the lowest excise band.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A 1.2-litre petrol hatchback. Recent examples under 50,000 km are easy to find at Japanese auctions.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
The 1.3 petrol and hybrid versions both have small engines. Hybrids pay a lower excise rate under the 2017 Act.
- Models and prices
Mazda CX-5
A mid-size SUV. The 2.2 diesel is above 2,000 cc, so it pays the 76.34% excise rate.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Barbados?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgetown | Bridgetown | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Speightstown | Bridgetown | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Oistins | Bridgetown | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
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
- How old can a used car be to import into Barbados?
- No more than 4 years old, with under 50,000 km. Returning nationals who have owned the car for at least 4 years are an exception.
- How much is duty on a car from Japan to Barbados?
- About 150% to 200% of CIF in total: 45% duty, 46.95% or 76.34% excise on CIF plus duty, a 1% environmental levy and 17.5% VAT.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to Barbados?
- No. Used vehicles must be right-hand drive to be granted an import licence. Japanese domestic cars meet the rule.
- Do hybrid cars pay less excise in Barbados?
- Yes. The 2017 excise schedule gives hybrids their own rates by engine size, starting well below the petrol rates for small engines. The table shows the hybrid scale as its own line.
- Do I need an import licence for a used car in Barbados?
- Yes. Used and reconditioned vehicles need a licence. Individuals submit a letter of application seeking permission to import the car on their own behalf.
- How does Barbados customs value a used car?
- With a depreciation-based method rather than the invoice price alone. Customs routinely checks the value of used vehicles to counter under-invoicing.
- How long does shipping from Japan to Bridgetown take?
- Around 40 to 45 days at sea, longer than to most Caribbean ports. Customs clearance and registration follow arrival.
- What do I need to register an imported car in Barbados?
- The C63 customs declaration, insurance, a weight certificate, an examiner's certificate and form L.A. 33, presented to the Barbados Licensing Authority.
Sources
- Barbados Revenue Authority — Excise Tax (Validation of Tax) (Motor Vehicles) Act, 2017 — checked 15 October 2026
- Barbados Licensing Authority — Vehicle Registration — checked 15 October 2026
- WTO Trade Policy Review of Barbados (WT/TPR/S/308), via Ministry of Foreign Affairs — checked 15 October 2026
- International Trade Administration — Barbados Import Tariffs — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Barbados, Other taxes — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Barbados
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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.