Cost to import a car from Japan to Brunei
Rates & rules last reviewed
Brunei is a small but affluent used-Japanese-car market with a long history of importing vehicles directly from Japan. The country drives on the left, uses right-hand-drive vehicles exclusively, and has no fuel cost problem — petrol is among the cheapest in Asia — so buyers tend to focus on quality and reliability rather than running costs. The import framework distinguishes between dealer imports (maximum 3 years from first registration) and private-name imports (up to 5 years), and all imported vehicles must pass an inspection by the Land Transport Department before registration. Japan's auction market is the primary source, and Toyota and Honda dominate the Bruneian road, with demand for both everyday family cars and occasional premium Japanese vehicles. Brunei does not publish a comprehensive public tariff schedule for vehicle imports, and the customs duty and registration fee structure is confirmed by the Land Transport Department on a case-by-case basis. Our licensed team sourcing from Japan's USS auctions has handled Brunei imports and can confirm the current duties, registration conditions and full door-to-door cost on WhatsApp before you commit to any car.
- Main ports
- Muara Port
- Import age rule
- Private use: ≤3 years from original registration (and ≤4 years from manufacture). Commercial: up to 6 years. Brunei drives on the left — Japanese RHD stock fits.
- Steering
- RHD
- Duties & taxes
- One of the lightest regimes here. Low customs duty (~5% of CIF) plus a car excise (~20% of CIF), and NO VAT/GST — total roughly 20–25% of CIF. The real gates are the strict 3-year age cap and the dealer-licence import channel, not the tax.
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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 Brunei
Confirm the age limit and channel that applies to you
Dealer imports into Brunei are limited to cars 3 years old or newer from first registration; private imports can go up to 5 years. We establish which channel applies to your situation and confirm the Land Transport Department requirements.
We source it at Japan's auctions
Our licensed USS auction team finds right-hand-drive cars within the applicable age window, reads the auction sheet and grade, and confirms real condition before committing any money.
Pre-shipment documentation
All export documents — Japanese de-registration, auction sheet, export certificate — are prepared and verified before the car leaves Japan to ensure a smooth Land Transport Department inspection on arrival.
Ocean shipping to Brunei
The car ships from Japan to Brunei. We provide the sailing schedule, bill of lading and tracking throughout the voyage, and co-ordinate with our local partner on arrival.
Land Transport Department inspection and registration
On arrival the car undergoes the mandatory Land Transport Department inspection. Our local partner pays the applicable customs duty and registration fees, manages the inspection, and completes registration so the car is road-legal in Brunei.
Import duties & taxes in Brunei explained
Brunei's customs duty and registration fee structure for imported vehicles is set by the Land Transport Department and confirmed on a per-vehicle basis. Detailed tariff rates are not published in a format stable enough to quote with precision here. What is consistent is that Brunei has no fuel excise complication (fuel is heavily subsidised) and the cost structure is generally less punishing than neighbouring Malaysia or Singapore. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.
Popular Japanese cars for Brunei
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Toyota Corolla Axio
The default reliable family sedan in Brunei — Toyota's quality and longevity suit Bruneian buyers who want a car that will last many years with minimal maintenance cost, backed by a local service network.
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Honda Fit
A practical, well-made hatchback with hybrid options — the Fit suits Brunei's daily urban driving around Bandar Seri Begawan and is easy to service locally.
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Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and affordable from Japan's auction market — a sensible compact for buyers who want a second car or a starter import at the lowest possible landed cost.
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Daihatsu Mira
The most budget-accessible Japanese car for Brunei — a kei car with minimal running costs that suits city driving in Bandar Seri Begawan and has a very low Japan auction price.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the age limit for importing a used car from Japan to Brunei?
- Brunei distinguishes between channels: dealer imports must be 3 years old or newer from first registration; private-name imports can be up to 5 years old. Our team confirms which channel applies to you and the current Land Transport Department requirements.
- Is a Land Transport Department inspection required for imported cars in Brunei?
- Yes — all imported vehicles must pass a Land Transport Department inspection before they can be registered in Brunei. Our local partner manages the inspection process and the full registration on your behalf.
- How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Brunei?
- Brunei's customs duty and registration fees vary by vehicle and are confirmed by the Land Transport Department on a case-by-case basis. The structure is generally less expensive than neighbouring Malaysia or Singapore. Our team confirms the exact landed cost for your specific car before you commit.