How do you import a car from Japan to Cyprus, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Cyprus charges 0% customs duty on a Japan-origin car with proof of origin (10% without it) and 19% VAT on CIF plus duty, so tax adds about 19% of CIF; excise on motor vehicles was abolished in March 2019. Used cars must be under 5 years old (2022 or newer in 2026), and used passenger cars from outside the EU are registered by an authorised importer.
Worked example: a 2022 Toyota Aqua 1.5 L hybrid costs about 17,200 to 17,800 EUR (US$19,300 to US$19,900) delivered to Limassol, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Cyprus
Cyprus drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars fit the roads. Japan is outside the EU, so a car shipped from Japan pays customs duty and VAT on arrival. The customs bill is light: no excise duty has been charged on imported motor vehicles since Law 39(I)/2019 took effect on 22 March 2019. What remains is customs duty, which is 0% for a car of Japanese origin with proof of origin, and 19% VAT. The binding constraints are age and registration. Used passenger cars must be under 5 years old, which in 2026 means 2022 or newer. The Road Transport Department applies restrictions to vehicles from outside the EU and advises importers to check with it before importing. A used passenger car (category M1) from a third country must be registered online by an authorised importer, using the single vehicle approval (SVA) documents. Cars arrive at Limassol. Customs needs the invoice, bill of lading, freight and insurance receipts and the original foreign registration certificate to set the customs value.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Cyprus?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Cyprus drives on the LEFT — RHD Japanese stock fits and is registrable. Japan is a third country: customs duty + 19% VAT. Cyprus ABOLISHED the one-off excise/registration tax on 1 Jan 2019; the remaining CO2 charge is an ANNUAL road tax (not a landed cost). Older used vehicles may face emission-standard restrictions.
- Inspection
- Customs clearance; roadworthiness (MOT); registration.
- Special rules
- A CO2-based annual road tax and a ~€150 one-off registration fee apply separately at registration.
- Entry ports
- Limassol
How do you import a car from Japan to Cyprus, step by step?
Confirm the car is eligible
Check that the car is under 5 years old (2022 or newer in 2026). Ask the Road Transport Department whether the specific model can be registered, as it advises for every vehicle from outside the EU.
Arrange an authorised importer
A used passenger car from a third country must be registered online by an authorised importer. Agree this before the car is bought.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. Customs asks for the original registration certificate from the country of export at clearance.
Ship to Limassol
Cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Limassol, usually by container or transhipped RoRo. The shipping line issues the bill of lading.
Clear customs and pay duty and VAT
A single administrative document (SAD) is lodged with the invoice, bill of lading and freight and insurance receipts. Duty is 0% with Japan-origin proof and 10% without it; VAT of 19% is charged on CIF plus duty.
Register with the Road Transport Department
The authorised importer submits the registration with the SVA documents, and the district office processes it. After registration the car is licensed and pays the annual CO2-based road tax.
Documents checklist
- Purchase invoice
- Original Japanese registration or export certificate with English translation
- Proof of Japanese origin for 0% customs duty
- Bill of lading and freight and insurance receipts
- Single administrative document (SAD) customs declaration
- Single vehicle approval (SVA) documents for a used car from a third country
- Registration application lodged by an authorised importer
- Insurance certificate
What import duties and taxes does Cyprus charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU–Japan EPA) | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT (19%) | 19% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty (EU–Japan EPA)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (19%)
Rate: 19%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Two charges apply. Customs duty is charged on the customs value, which is the purchase price plus transport and insurance to the port of entry (CIF). For a car of Japanese origin with proof of origin under the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement the rate is 0%; otherwise the standard rate for passenger cars, new or used, is 10%. VAT of 19% is charged on the customs value plus the import duty. No excise duty is charged: Law 39(I)/2019, published on 22 March 2019, removed excise duty on motor vehicles imported into Cyprus. A small registration fee and an annual road tax based on CO2 emissions are paid to the Road Transport Department after customs clearance, but they are not import charges.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Cyprus?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Limassol | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Aqua 1.5 L hybrid | US$14,200 | US$15,500 | US$2,94019% of CIF | EUR 17,200 – 17,800US$19,300 – US$19,900 |
| 2023 Toyota Yaris 1.5 L hybrid | US$14,200 | US$15,500 | US$2,94019% of CIF | EUR 17,200 – 17,800US$19,300 – US$19,900 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 2.5 L hybrid | US$32,700 | US$34,200 | US$6,50019% of CIF | EUR 37,200 – 37,800US$41,600 – US$42,300 |
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 Limassol. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limassol | RoRo or container | 26–36 | US$1,250 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Cyprus?
- Models and prices
Toyota Aqua
A 1.5-litre hybrid with low CO2 emissions, which keeps the annual road tax low. Plenty of 2022 and newer cars reach the auctions.
- Models and prices
Toyota Yaris
A small petrol or hybrid hatchback built in Japan, so it can qualify for 0% duty. Its low CO2 figure suits the road tax scale.
- Models and prices
Honda Vezel
A compact crossover in petrol and hybrid form. The second generation, from 2021, fits the age rule.
- Models and prices
Toyota RAV4
A mid-size SUV with a 2.0 petrol or 2.5 hybrid engine. Japan-built examples from 2022 meet the age limit.
- Models and prices
Toyota Harrier
A premium SUV sold in Japan with 2.0 petrol and 2.5 hybrid engines. Its higher value means higher VAT in absolute terms.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Cyprus?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limassol | Limassol | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Nicosia | Limassol | US$180 | US$220 | 2 |
| Larnaca | Limassol | US$170 | US$210 | 2 |
| Paphos | Limassol | US$170 | US$210 | 2 |
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 car older than 5 years to Cyprus?
- Not as a normal used import. Used passenger cars must be under 5 years old, so in 2026 only 2022 and newer cars qualify. Check with the Road Transport Department before buying.
- How much is import duty on a car from Japan to Cyprus?
- 0% for a car of Japanese origin with proof of origin under the EU–Japan agreement. Otherwise the standard 10% duty for passenger cars applies.
- Is there excise duty on imported cars in Cyprus?
- No. Law 39(I)/2019, in force from 22 March 2019, removed excise duty on motor vehicles transported or imported into Cyprus.
- What VAT do I pay on an imported car in Cyprus?
- 19% of the customs value plus import duty. With 0% duty, that is 19% of CIF.
- Who registers a used car imported from Japan to Cyprus?
- An authorised importer. The Road Transport Department requires used category M1 cars from a third country to be registered online by an authorised importer.
- Does Cyprus accept right-hand-drive cars?
- Yes. Cyprus drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars suit the roads and need no steering conversion.
- What documents does Cyprus customs need for a car from Japan?
- A SAD declaration, the purchase invoice, the bill of lading, freight and insurance receipts, and the original registration certificate from the country of export.
- Is road tax part of the import cost in Cyprus?
- No. Road tax is an annual charge based on CO2 emissions, paid after registration. The import cost is customs duty plus 19% VAT.
Sources
- Cyprus Customs and Excise Department — Vehicles: on payment of import duty and VAT — checked 15 October 2026
- Cyprus Road Transport Department — Registering a vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Cyprus
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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.