How do you import a car from Japan to Djibouti, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
This page explains the rules, documents, import taxes, shipping and typical landed cost for a used car imported from Japan to Djibouti.
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Djibouti we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
Djibouti sits at the southern entrance to the Red Sea and hosts one of East Africa's most significant transit ports, making it logistically straightforward for vehicle imports. The country has a relatively small domestic vehicle market, but Japanese cars are popular for their reliability in a hot, arid climate where engine durability and low maintenance count for a great deal. Djibouti also serves as the main import gateway for landlocked Ethiopia, so the port infrastructure for vehicle handling is well-established. Duty rates and registration requirements need to be confirmed for your specific vehicle.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Djibouti?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
How do you import a car from Japan to Djibouti, step by step?
Check the import rules
Djibouti requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
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 Djibouti.
Ship the car
The car ships directly to the Port of Djibouti — a short, well-established sea route.
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 duty and taxes on the declared value.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Djibouti's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Djibouti charge?
Djibouti applies import duties and taxes on imported vehicles. The applicable rates depend on the vehicle type, engine and current customs schedules.
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Djibouti?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
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 from Japan to Djibouti?
- Yes. Djibouti has a well-developed port and vehicles are regularly imported from Japan.
- How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Djibouti?
- Import duties and taxes apply and vary by vehicle type.
Car import duty calculator for Djibouti
There is no instant calculator for Djibouti yet, because its tax model or freight route is not in the dataset. The rules and steps above still apply. Contact