How do you import a car from Japan to Bolivia, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Bolivia charges a 10% customs duty (GA) on CIF, an engine-based specific-consumption tax (ICE, set by decree and graduated by displacement/value on the CIF+duty base), and 13% IVA charged tax-inclusive (~14.94% effective). Self-charging hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles get temporary GA/ICE cuts to ~July 2026. Passenger cars are capped at 1 year old and it drives on the right, so used RHD Japanese stock is effectively excluded.
Car import duty calculator for Bolivia
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Bolivia we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
Bolivia is landlocked and receives cars overland from Chilean ports. Light passenger cars may be no more than 1 year old at import under DS 2232, and Bolivia requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so almost all used Japanese stock is excluded.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Bolivia?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Light passenger vehicles (HS 87.03) may not be more than 1 year old at import — since 1 Jan 2016 under DS 2232, the limit for cars dropped from 2 years to 1 year (model-year: in 2026 only ~2025 cars qualify). This effectively excludes almost all used Japanese stock. Heavier categories have slightly longer limits but 87.03 cars are the tightest.
- Inspection
- Certification of legal import (RD 01-001-25) plus SGS / inspectorate pre-shipment inspection for vehicles over ~USD 12,000 FOB. RHD units must be converted to LHD only inside Bolivia's national industrial free zone.
- Permits
- Customs declaration through Aduana Nacional; landlocked transit bond for the Chile->Bolivia overland leg.
- Restrictions
- Bolivia drives on the RIGHT (LHD). Right-hand-drive vehicles that had their steering converted OUTSIDE Bolivia are PROHIBITED (DS 2232, 2014 — the old Iquique 'transformer' RHD->LHD conversion trade was banned). An imported RHD unit can only be regularised by converting it to LHD inside Bolivia's national industrial free zone. Combined with the 1-year age cap, standard used RHD Japanese cars are not a viable market.
- Special rules
- Incentives to ~14 July 2026: self-charging hybrids (HEV) get GA cut 10%->5% and ICE cut 5%->3%; flex-fuel vehicles 0% GA and 0% ICE. These favour new/near-new eligible units, not used RHD Japanese stock.
- Entry ports
- La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile)
How do you import a car from Japan to Bolivia, step by step?
Check the import rules
Light passenger vehicles (HS 87.03) may not be more than 1 year old at import — since 1 Jan 2016 under DS 2232, the limit for cars dropped from 2 years to 1 year (model-year: in 2026 only ~2025 cars qualify). This effectively excludes almost all used Japanese stock. Heavier categories have slightly longer limits but 87.03 cars are the tightest. Bolivia requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Obtain the import permit
Customs declaration through Aduana Nacional; landlocked transit bond for the Chile->Bolivia overland leg.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Bolivia.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Bolivia: Certification of legal import (RD 01-001-25) plus SGS / inspectorate pre-shipment inspection for vehicles over ~USD 12,000 FOB. RHD units must be converted to LHD only inside Bolivia's national industrial free zone.
Ship to La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile)
Cars from Japan arrive at La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile). Sea transit is about 32–52 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses Gravamen Arancelario, ICE and IVA; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Bolivia's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Bolivia charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Gravamen Arancelario (customs duty) | 10% | CIF value |
| ICE (Impuesto a los Consumos Especificos, engine cc) | 5%–18% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| IVA (VAT, effective) | 14.94% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Gravamen Arancelario (customs duty)
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF value.
ICE (Impuesto a los Consumos Especificos, engine cc)
Rate: 5% up to 1,500 cc; 10% up to 2,000 cc; 15% up to 3,000 cc; 18% above 3,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
IVA (VAT, effective)
Rate: 14.94%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Bolivia charges a 10% customs duty (GA) on CIF, an engine-based specific-consumption tax (ICE, set by decree and graduated by displacement/value on the CIF+duty base), and 13% IVA charged tax-inclusive (~14.94% effective). Self-charging hybrids and flex-fuel vehicles get temporary GA/ICE cuts to ~July 2026. Passenger cars are capped at 1 year old and it drives on the right, so used RHD Japanese stock is effectively excluded.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Bolivia?
Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile) | RoRo or container | 32–52 | US$1,950 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Bolivia?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Bolivia?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Paz / El Alto | La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile) | US$1,950 | US$2,350 | 3 |
| Cochabamba | La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile) | US$2,250 | US$2,700 | 5 |
| Santa Cruz de la Sierra | La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile) | US$2,600 | US$3,150 | 7 |
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 a used Japanese car to Bolivia?
- In principle yes — Bolivia does trade in used imported vehicles.
- Which port does a car use to enter Bolivia?
- Bolivia is landlocked, so vehicles typically arrive via Chilean or Argentine ports and are trucked overland to La Paz, Cochabamba or Santa Cruz.
- Why doesn't AskJapanCars show a price calculator for Bolivia?
- Bolivia's data is still being confirmed.
Car import duty calculator for Bolivia
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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.