How do you import a car from Japan to Egypt, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Japanese auction cars cannot normally be imported into Egypt. Egypt drives on the right, its traffic law bars permanent licences for right-hand-drive cars, and used cars may be imported only if under 1 year old. For an eligible car, duty is 30% of CIF up to 1,600 cc and 100% above, plus a development fee and 14% VAT.
Car import duty calculator for Egypt
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive and steering conversion is not offered. Egypt does not license right-hand-drive cars and allows used imports only under 1 year old, so there is no normal purchase path from Japan.
Egypt drives on the right. Its traffic law, Law 66 of 1973 and its executive regulations, does not allow permanent licences for right-hand-drive cars, apart from special procedures for rare and classic vehicles. Almost every car sold at Japanese auctions is right-hand drive, and steering conversion is not offered, so standard Japanese used stock is not a route into Egypt. The age rule closes the gap further. Used passenger cars are generally banned unless they are less than 1 year old, which leaves only near-new vehicles. Since 26 December 2024 individuals have also been limited to importing one car for personal use every 5 years. The few left-hand-drive cars that pass through Japanese auctions, mostly European and American models, are usually far older than this limit. Customs duty depends on engine size: 30% of CIF up to 1,600 cc and 100% above under Presidential Decree 419 of 2018. Electric cars are exempt from customs duty, and EU-origin cars follow separate rates. A development fee and 14% VAT are added. In practice these figures matter for new or nearly new left-hand-drive cars bought outside Japan.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Egypt?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Used passenger cars are heavily restricted: imports are generally limited to the current model year / max ~1 year old (some legacy guides cite up to 3 years). Personal import: one vehicle per person every 5 years. Effectively only near-new cars qualify; ordinary used Japanese cars do not. Port: Alexandria.
- Inspection
- Customs valuation and conformity checks at port; EV/hybrid have separate schemes.
- Permits
- Import limited to eligible persons; documentation and one-vehicle-per-5-years rule enforced.
- Restrictions
- Egypt is a left-hand-drive country and bans right-hand-drive registration. Most Japanese used cars are RHD and cannot be registered. Combined with the near-new age limit, used Japanese RHD imports are effectively impractical.
- Special rules
- EU-origin cars may get phased customs reductions under the EU association agreement; EVs may qualify for partial/full duty exemption.
- Entry ports
- Alexandria
How do you import a car from Japan to Egypt, step by step?
Check the steering rule first
Egypt does not grant permanent licences to right-hand-drive cars. A right-hand-drive car from Japan will not be registrable, and steering conversion is not offered.
Check the age rule
Used passenger cars must be under 1 year old. Older used cars are refused.
Check personal import eligibility
Since 26 December 2024 an individual may import one car for personal use every 5 years.
Source an eligible car
Only left-hand-drive, nearly new cars qualify. Japanese auction stock is almost entirely right-hand drive, so such cars are rare there.
Ship to Alexandria
Imported cars usually arrive at Alexandria, where customs valuation and conformity checks take place.
Clear customs
Egyptian Customs assesses customs duty by engine size, the development fee and 14% VAT before releasing the car.
Insure and register the car
Compulsory insurance is arranged first. The Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior then registers the car and issues plates.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Export certificate or registration document from the country of purchase
- Bill of lading
- Proof of eligibility under the one-car-per-5-years personal import rule
- Egyptian customs declaration
- Compulsory insurance certificate and Traffic Department registration application
What import duties and taxes does Egypt charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty (engine cc) | 30%–100% by engine size | CIF value |
| Development FeeApplies to engines up to 1,600 cc | 3% | CIF + import duty |
| VAT | 14% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs Duty (engine cc)
Rate: 30% up to 1,600 cc; 100% above 1,600 cc. Charged on: CIF value.
Development Fee
Rate: 3%. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to engines up to 1,600 cc.
VAT
Rate: 14%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Customs duty is charged on the CIF value by engine size: 30% up to 1,600 cc and 100% above, the rates set by Presidential Decree 419 of 2018, reduced from 40% and 135%. Electric cars are exempt from customs duty, and EU-origin cars follow a separate schedule. A development fee is charged on CIF plus duty; the table shows the 3% tier for cars up to 1,600 cc, and larger engines pay a higher tier that the table does not include. VAT of 14% is then charged on CIF plus duty plus the development fee. For a car up to 1,600 cc the lines add about 53% to CIF; above 1,600 cc, duty and VAT alone add about 128%. These rates apply only to cars that meet the age and steering rules.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Egypt?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | RoRo or container | 21–30 | US$1,350 |
Only cars that meet both the steering and the age rules can be cleared at Alexandria.
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Egypt?
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Sold new in Japan in left-hand-drive form, and left-hand-drive examples appear at Japanese auctions. Only a car under 1 year old would meet the Egyptian age rule, so supply is close to nil.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes sold new in Japan are left-hand drive and come up in Japanese stock. Very few are young enough for Egypt.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Egypt?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | Alexandria | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Cairo | Alexandria | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Giza | Alexandria | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Port Said | Alexandria | US$220 | US$280 | 2 |
| Suez | Alexandria | US$250 | US$310 | 2 |
| Luxor | Alexandria | US$450 | US$560 | 3 |
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 right-hand-drive car into Egypt?
- No. Egyptian traffic law does not allow permanent licences for right-hand-drive cars, apart from special procedures for rare classic vehicles. Japanese auction cars are right-hand drive.
- Can I import a used car from Japan to Egypt?
- In practice, no. Japanese stock is right-hand drive, and Egypt allows used passenger cars only if they are under 1 year old.
- What is the age limit for used cars imported into Egypt?
- Under 1 year old. Used vehicles are otherwise generally banned from import.
- How many cars can I import into Egypt for personal use?
- One every 5 years. The limit has applied to individuals since 26 December 2024.
- How much is customs duty on a car in Egypt?
- 30% of CIF up to 1,600 cc and 100% above, under Presidential Decree 419 of 2018. A development fee and 14% VAT are added.
- Are electric cars exempt from duty in Egypt?
- Yes, from customs duty. Decree 419 of 2018 exempts electric vehicles from tariffs; VAT still applies.
- Can a Japanese car be converted to left-hand drive for Egypt?
- Conversion is not offered. Egyptian licensing also requires a vehicle to match the manufacturer's original design, so a converted car would face registration problems.
- Are left-hand-drive cars available at Japanese auctions?
- A small number, mostly European and American models sold new in Japan in left-hand-drive form. Few are young enough to meet the Egyptian 1-year age rule.
Sources
- International Trade Administration — Egypt prohibited and restricted imports — checked 15 October 2026
- International Trade Administration — Egypt import tariffs — checked 15 October 2026
- Masrawy — Licensing of right-hand-drive cars in Egypt (Arabic) — checked 15 October 2026
- Expat Focus — Egypt: buying or importing a car — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Egypt
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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.