Can I import a standard used Japanese car to Egypt?

Generally no — Egypt bans right-hand-drive vehicles and limits used passenger car imports to approximately one year old. Since most Japanese domestic used cars are RHD and more than one year old, they do not qualify. Speak to our team first to confirm whether your specific situation opens a viable route.

Does Egypt allow right-hand-drive cars?

No. Egypt is a right-hand-traffic country and does not permit the registration of right-hand-drive vehicles. Japanese domestic used cars are almost all RHD, which is the core reason most standard Japanese used imports are not eligible for Egypt.

What is the import duty on a car in Egypt?

Customs duty under Decree 419/2018 is 30% for engines up to 1,600cc and 100% for larger engines. A development fee of 3–8.5% and 14% VAT on the landed cost also apply. The correct rate depends on your car's engine size; our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Egypt

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Egypt is an important automotive market but one with strict and buyer-specific import rules that every buyer must understand before approaching Japan's auctions. The country drives on the right and prohibits the registration of right-hand-drive vehicles — and since the vast majority of Japan's domestic used-car stock is right-hand drive, most standard used Japanese cars simply cannot be imported and registered in Egypt. The second major constraint is the age rule: used passenger car imports are generally limited to approximately one year old from the current model year, meaning only near-new vehicles qualify under the standard personal import scheme. That said, our team can advise on whether your specific situation — vehicle type, your eligibility category and the car you have in mind — opens a viable route. Taxes on eligible cars are engine-based: 30% customs duty on cars up to 1,600cc and 100% above 1,600cc under Decree 419/2018, plus a development fee of 3–8.5% by engine size, plus 14% VAT on the landed cost. Speak to us first so we can confirm eligibility honestly before any commitment.

Main ports: Alexandria
Import age rule: 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.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: Egypt charges engine-based customs duty of 30% on cars up to 1600cc and 100% above 1600cc (Decree 419/2018), plus a development fee of 3%-8.5% by engine size, plus 14% VAT on the landed cost. Far more important for a buyer: used-car imports are near-new only (about 1 year old) and Egypt bans right-hand-drive vehicles, so typical RHD Japanese used cars cannot be imported or registered.

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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 Egypt

Confirm your eligibility with our team first
Egypt's used-car import rules are buyer-category specific. Contact us before choosing a car — we will confirm whether a Japanese vehicle can legally enter and be registered for your situation.
Identify an eligible near-new LHD model
If you are eligible, only near-new cars (approximately one model year old) and left-hand-drive vehicles qualify. We identify LHD Japanese export stock within that window from auction.
Pre-shipment inspection and conformity documents
Conformity checks and valuation documents for Egypt customs are prepared. EV and hybrid vehicles follow separate schemes that we flag at this stage.
Ocean shipping to Alexandria
The car sails to the Port of Alexandria, Egypt's primary vehicle import gateway on the Mediterranean. We share the sailing schedule and container tracking.
Duty and clearing at Alexandria
On arrival, customs duty (30% up to 1,600cc, 100% above), the development fee and 14% VAT are assessed and paid. Our local partner clears the car through the port.
Inland delivery to your city
From Alexandria the car is transported to Cairo, Giza, Port Said, Suez, Luxor or another destination — we quote the inland cost before you approve shipment.

Import duties & taxes in Egypt explained

Egypt's passenger-car customs duty is engine-based under Decree 419/2018: 30% on cars up to 1,600cc and 100% on larger engines. On top of duty, a development fee of 3%–8.5% applies (scaled by engine size), and 14% VAT is charged on the full landed cost. The decisive issue for most buyers, however, is eligibility: Egypt bans right-hand-drive vehicles and limits used-car imports to approximately one year old, so most standard Japanese domestic used cars do not qualify. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car and — critically — your eligibility before you commit.

Popular Japanese cars for Egypt

Toyota Corolla Axio
A near-new LHD Corolla Axio is a practical family sedan with a 1,500cc engine that keeps it in the 30% duty band — but eligibility must be confirmed first given Egypt's import rules.
See prices
Honda Fit
The Fit's compact engine (petrol or hybrid) places it in the lower duty band if a near-new LHD export model can be sourced — our team advises whether this is feasible for your situation.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A small-engine hatchback that, if eligible, benefits from the 30% duty tier and keeps overall import cost more manageable in Egypt's high-tax environment.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
A lightweight petrol hatchback with a small engine — eligible LHD near-new stock keeps duty at the lower 30% rate, though availability and eligibility must be verified.
See prices
Toyota Probox
An LHD commercial wagon that can serve business users if the vehicle category qualifies under Egypt's import scheme — our team confirms the classification before purchase.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Egypt

Alexandria — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $100.
Cairo — Delivery from Alexandria to Cairo adds roughly $200 for a sedan.
Giza — Delivery from Alexandria to Giza adds roughly $200 for a sedan.
Port Said — Delivery from Alexandria to Port Said adds roughly $220 for a sedan.
Suez — Delivery from Alexandria to Suez adds roughly $250 for a sedan.
Luxor — Delivery from Alexandria to Luxor adds roughly $450 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a standard used Japanese car to Egypt?: Generally no — Egypt bans right-hand-drive vehicles and limits used passenger car imports to approximately one year old. Since most Japanese domestic used cars are RHD and more than one year old, they do not qualify. Speak to our team first to confirm whether your specific situation opens a viable route.
Does Egypt allow right-hand-drive cars?: No. Egypt is a right-hand-traffic country and does not permit the registration of right-hand-drive vehicles. Japanese domestic used cars are almost all RHD, which is the core reason most standard Japanese used imports are not eligible for Egypt.
What is the import duty on a car in Egypt?: Customs duty under Decree 419/2018 is 30% for engines up to 1,600cc and 100% for larger engines. A development fee of 3–8.5% and 14% VAT on the landed cost also apply. The correct rate depends on your car's engine size; our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.