Can I import a used Japanese car to Brazil?

No, not under general rules. Brazil prohibits the import of used consumer goods including used cars for ordinary private buyers. Only new vehicles, cars 30 years or older (collector items), and diplomatic or military imports are permitted.

What will Brazil's import taxes cost on a car?

For eligible vehicles, the combined burden of II import tax (approx 35%), IPI excise (approx 25%), PIS/COFINS (approx 11.75%) and state ICMS (approx 18%) typically totals 90–120% of the vehicle's value. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Is there any law change coming that would allow used-car imports?

A 2025 bill (PL 1.409/2025) originally proposed letting individuals import used cars up to 3 years old, but a November 2025 committee substitute stripped that provision (refocusing it on 30-year collector cars and returning federal servants); it had not become law at the time this guide was written. Our team monitors legislative changes and can update you.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Brazil

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Brazil is effectively a closed market for used Japanese car imports under today's rules. The importation of used consumer goods — including used cars — is prohibited for ordinary individual buyers under Brazilian federal law. The US government's trade resource confirms this position, and the Brazilian regulatory framework (INMETRO, IBAMA, DENATRAN/SENATRAN) applies to all vehicle imports. The limited exceptions are: brand-new vehicles, vehicles 30 years old or older qualifying as collector items, and diplomatic or military imports. A legislative proposal (PL 1.409/2025) originally sought to let individuals import used cars up to three years old, but a committee substitute approved in November 2025 removed that provision — the bill now centres on 30-year collector vehicles and federal public servants returning from abroad, and had not become law at the time this guide was written. Brazil also drives on the right and requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so even if the prohibition were lifted, Japan's right-hand-drive domestic stock would not directly qualify for normal registration. If you are a diplomat, have a qualifying new-vehicle case, or hold a collector-car permit, AskJapanCars can discuss your options — but for most buyers asking about Brazil, we are honest that the current rules block a normal used-car import. We recommend speaking to our team first so you do not start a process that cannot clear customs.

Main ports: Santos
Import age rule: Importation of used consumer goods, including used cars, is generally PROHIBITED. Only new vehicles, used cars 30+ years old (collector items), or diplomatic/military imports are permitted. A bill (PL 1.409/2025) to allow individuals to import used cars up to 3 years old was pending in 2025 but is not law. Port: Santos.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: Brazil prohibits importing used cars for ordinary buyers — only new vehicles, 30-year-old collector cars, or diplomatic/military imports are allowed, so a typical used Japanese car cannot legally be imported for sale. For an eligible (new) car the tax burden is very high, roughly 90-120% of value, layering the II import tax (around 35%), IPI, PIS/COFINS, and state ICMS. A 2025 bill to liberalise used imports was pending but had not become law.

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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 Brazil

Confirm your eligibility (critical first step)
For Brazil we verify whether you fall within a permitted category — new-vehicle buyer, 30-year collector, diplomat or military — before any sourcing begins. Most buyers do not qualify under current law.
Source the vehicle in Japan (qualifying cases only)
For new vehicles or 30-year collectors, we use licensed USS auction access to locate the right car, verify the production year and confirm all documentation matches Brazilian import requirements.
INMETRO and IBAMA certification
Brazil requires INMETRO safety certification and IBAMA emissions certification for all permitted vehicles. We co-ordinate with certified agents to prepare these documents before the car leaves Japan.
Ocean shipping to Port of Santos
The car sails to Santos, Brazil's main vehicle import port. We provide sailing schedule and tracking updates throughout.
Customs and tax clearance
For eligible imports we handle the cascading Brazilian tax stack — II import tax, IPI excise, PIS/COFINS and state ICMS — and work with a licensed customs broker at Santos for clearance and DENATRAN/SENATRAN registration.

Import duties & taxes in Brazil explained

Brazil prohibits used-car imports for ordinary buyers — the duty question does not arise for most enquiries because eligibility is the real blocker. For permitted vehicles (new, 30-year collector, diplomatic/military), Brazil's tax structure is among the highest in the world: approximately 35% Imposto de Importação (II), 25% IPI excise, 11.75% PIS/COFINS-Importação and roughly 18% ICMS state VAT, layered and compounding to a total burden often in the range of 90–120% of the vehicle's value. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Brazil

Honda Fit
For the narrow category of eligible buyers, a compact petrol hatchback with a modest CIF value limits exposure to Brazil's cascading II/IPI/PIS/ICMS stack — though even on a small car this stack is heavy.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A practical compact for eligible buyers who want proven reliability and good resale — the low purchase price keeps the base for Brazil's percentage taxes lower than on a larger vehicle.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Low maintenance and economical — for a returning resident or diplomat managing a qualifying new-vehicle import, it minimises the overall duty exposure through a lower CIF value.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable and widely understood across Latin America — for eligible buyers who want a dependable family sedan with a known maintenance ecosystem.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Brazil

Santos — You are at the port — sedan delivery runs about $100.
Sao Paulo — Delivery from Santos to São Paulo adds roughly $180 for a sedan.
Curitiba — Delivery from Santos to Curitiba adds roughly $360 for a sedan.
Rio de Janeiro — Delivery from Santos to Rio de Janeiro adds roughly $360 for a sedan.
Belo Horizonte — Delivery from Santos to Belo Horizonte adds roughly $470 for a sedan.
Brasilia — Delivery from Santos to Brasília adds roughly $740 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a used Japanese car to Brazil?: No, not under general rules. Brazil prohibits the import of used consumer goods including used cars for ordinary private buyers. Only new vehicles, cars 30 years or older (collector items), and diplomatic or military imports are permitted.
What will Brazil's import taxes cost on a car?: For eligible vehicles, the combined burden of II import tax (approx 35%), IPI excise (approx 25%), PIS/COFINS (approx 11.75%) and state ICMS (approx 18%) typically totals 90–120% of the vehicle's value. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.
Is there any law change coming that would allow used-car imports?: A 2025 bill (PL 1.409/2025) originally proposed letting individuals import used cars up to 3 years old, but a November 2025 committee substitute stripped that provision (refocusing it on 30-year collector cars and returning federal servants); it had not become law at the time this guide was written. Our team monitors legislative changes and can update you.