How do you import a car from Japan to Denmark, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Denmark charges 0% duty under the EU-Japan agreement, 25% VAT and a registration tax modelled at 60–140% by engine size, about 115% of CIF for a 1.5-litre petrol car. There is no maximum age; the registration tax is assessed on the car's estimated Danish market value.
Car import duty calculator for Denmark
Denmark is an EU member, so the EU-Japan EPA applies and import duty on Japan-origin cars can be 0% with valid origin proof — a strong starting point. Danish VAT (moms) is 25% on the imported value. The reason Denmark requires careful cost planning is its registreringsafgift — the registration tax, widely cited as one of the highest in the world. It is levied in bands of roughly 25%, 85% and 150% of the car's assessed Danish-market value (as determined by Motorstyrelsen), with CO2 surcharges that rise sharply for higher-emission cars. For a typical mid-size petrol car the effective rate commonly sits in the 85% band, which means a car with a Danish-market value of €20,000 might carry a registration tax of around €17,000 before CO2 surcharges.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Denmark?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No fixed maximum age for importing a used car. Older cars register, but the registration tax is assessed on the car’s estimated Danish-market value (age, mileage, condition, equipment). Port: Fredericia.
- Inspection
- Toldsyn / registreringssyn (customs and roadworthiness inspection) and a Motorstyrelsen value assessment are required before registration.
- Permits
- EU-Japan EPA origin proof for 0% duty; value declaration to Motorstyrelsen for the registration tax.
- Special rules
- EVs get a large taxable-value deduction (DKK 165,000 in 2025) and plug-in hybrids pay a reduced share; ordinary petrol cars get no such relief.
- Entry ports
- Fredericia
How do you import a car from Japan to Denmark, step by step?
Check the import rules
No fixed maximum age for importing a used car. Older cars register, but the registration tax is assessed on the car’s estimated Danish-market value (age, mileage, condition, equipment). Port: Fredericia. Denmark accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
Obtain the import permit
EU-Japan EPA origin proof for 0% duty; value declaration to Motorstyrelsen for the registration tax.
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 Denmark.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Denmark: Toldsyn / registreringssyn (customs and roadworthiness inspection) and a Motorstyrelsen value assessment are required before registration.
Ship to Fredericia
Cars from Japan arrive at Fredericia. Sea transit is about 26–36 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 Import duty, VAT and Registration tax; 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 Denmark's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Denmark charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU-Japan EPA) | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT (moms) | 25% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Registration tax (registreringsafgift, estimated from engine size) | 60%–140% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
Import duty (EU-Japan EPA)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (moms)
Rate: 25%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Registration tax (registreringsafgift, estimated from engine size)
Rate: 60% up to 1,000 cc; 90% up to 2,000 cc; 140% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty on a Japan-origin car can be 0% with valid origin proof; otherwise standard TARIC/MFN duty applies. Danish VAT (moms) is 25% on the imported value. The registreringsafgift is the dominant cost: it is charged in bands — roughly 25% on the first portion of assessed Danish-market value, then 85%, then 150% — plus CO2 surcharges. Motorstyrelsen determines the car's Danish-market value based on age, mileage, condition and equipment; the total registration tax for a mid-size petrol car commonly lands around the 85% effective rate. Deductions exist (e.g. for safety equipment), and EVs face a much lighter burden.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Denmark?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericia | RoRo or container | 26–36 | US$1,700 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Denmark?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
The Fit's small engine and low CO2 output keep both the base registration tax and the CO2 surcharges as low as possible for a petrol car. Hybrid variants are even more favourable in Denmark's tax structure.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A light, low-emission hatchback that minimises the registreringsafgift. Low assessed Danish-market value and modest CO2 combine to make it one of the most tax-efficient Japanese imports for Denmark.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A compact hatchback with a modest CO2 rating and a low assessed Danish-market value — both factors keep the registration tax bill in the lower range.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable, practical and with Toyota's extensive Danish service network. A sensible family sedan for buyers who have budgeted for the registration tax and want long-term certainty.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Denmark?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericia | Fredericia | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Copenhagen | Fredericia | US$240 | US$300 | 2 |
| Aarhus | Fredericia | US$180 | US$220 | 2 |
| Odense | Fredericia | US$160 | US$200 | 1 |
| Aalborg | Fredericia | US$230 | US$290 | 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
- How large is Denmark's registreringsafgift on a Japanese car?
- Very large — Denmark's registration tax is among the highest in the world. It is assessed by Motorstyrelsen in bands (roughly 25%, 85% and 150% of Danish-market value) plus CO2 surcharges. For a typical mid-size petrol car the effective burden commonly sits around the 85% band. Low-CO2 and electric cars face much lower rates.
- Is import duty 0% for Japanese cars in Denmark?
- Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty can be 0% with valid Japan-origin proof. Without it, standard TARIC/MFN duty applies.
- Is there an age limit to import a car to Denmark?
- No — there is no fixed age cap. Older cars may have a lower assessed Danish-market value, which can reduce the registreringsafgift base, though CO2 surcharges still apply.
- Where does the car arrive in Denmark?
- The main vehicle-import port is Fredericia on the Jutland peninsula. Delivery to Copenhagen adds roughly $240 for a sedan; to Aarhus roughly $180; to Aalborg roughly $230.
Sources
- Motorstyrelsen — Registration tax and rates — checked 15 October 2026
- Motorstyrelsen — Importing vehicles — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Denmark
Loading calculator…
Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.