Cost to import a car from Japan to Bolivia
Rates & rules last reviewed
Bolivia is a landlocked country with a used-car import market that our licensed team is still actively researching. The packet data for Bolivia is thin — import duty rates, age restrictions, steering rules and port routing have not yet been fully verified for our system, and publishing placeholder figures as if they were confirmed would mislead buyers. What we know is that Bolivia borders both Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, and vehicles typically arrive via overland transit from Chilean or Argentine ports. Japanese used cars — particularly practical models with reliable parts ecosystems — are in demand in Bolivia's cities, and our team is building the same quality of verified data for this market that we provide for our established routes. Until that verification is complete, we do not quote Bolivia costs automatically — all enquiries are handled manually so a licensed team member can give you current, accurate information.
- Main ports
- La Paz (via Iquique/Arica, Chile)
- Import age rule
- 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.
- Steering
- LHD
- Duties & 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.
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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 Bolivia
Contact our team for a current briefing
Bolivia's import rules are being actively verified. The right first step is a conversation with our team so we can give you current, accurate information on duty, age rules and routing rather than estimates that may be wrong.
Establish the route and eligibility
Vehicles entering Bolivia are typically routed through Chilean or Argentine ports and trucked overland to La Paz, Cochabamba or Santa Cruz. We confirm the current best routing and any import restrictions that apply to your vehicle category.
Source the vehicle in Japan
Once routing and eligibility are confirmed, we use our licensed USS auction access to source the right car, read the full auction sheet and grade, and verify condition before any bid.
Ocean freight and overland transit
The car ships to the transit port and is then trucked overland to Bolivia. We manage the full logistics chain and keep you updated at each stage.
Bolivian customs clearance and delivery
Our team co-ordinates with a licensed local customs broker for Bolivia's clearance process and arranges delivery to your city once the vehicle is released.
Import duties & taxes in Bolivia explained
Import duty rates, VAT, age restrictions and steering requirements for Bolivia have not yet been fully verified in our system. We do not publish placeholder figures for Bolivia as if they were confirmed — that would risk misleading buyers. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car through a manual assessment process.
Popular Japanese cars for Bolivia
- See prices
Daihatsu Mira
A kei car with very low running cost — a popular budget import across landlocked South American markets where fuel economy and low maintenance are priorities.
- See prices
Honda Fit
Practical and fuel-efficient, with hybrid and petrol options — a reliable daily driver for Bolivia's urban centres with a small engine that keeps running costs down.
- See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with predictable maintenance — a sensible first import for buyers who want low ownership cost and easy resale in a new market.
- See prices
Toyota Probox
A durable commercial wagon suited to Bolivia's varied road conditions — trusted by traders and small businesses that need reliable load capacity.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I import a used Japanese car to Bolivia?
- In principle yes — Bolivia does trade in used imported vehicles — but import duty, age rules and steering requirements are still being verified by our team. Contact us for a current briefing before starting the process.
- 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. Our team confirms the best current routing for your enquiry.
- Why doesn't AskJapanCars show a price calculator for Bolivia?
- We only publish duty and cost figures we have verified. Bolivia's data is still being confirmed, so all Bolivia enquiries are handled manually by our licensed team — contact us directly for current information.