How do you import a car from Japan to Fiji, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Fiji charges a used petrol or diesel car a fiscal duty of 15% of value or a fixed FJ$2,750–8,125 by engine size, whichever is greater, plus a 5% ECAL levy and 15% VAT on the duty-inclusive value; import excise on used cars is free. In 2026 petrol and diesel cars must be 2018 or newer and hybrids 2021 or newer, Euro 4 compliant and right-hand drive, with an FRCS import licence before shipping.
Worked example: a 2019 Toyota Corolla Axio 1.5 L costs about 27,900 to 29,800 FJD (US$12,400 to US$13,300) delivered to Suva, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Fiji
Fiji drives on the left and accepts right-hand-drive cars only; left-hand-drive and previously written-off vehicles are prohibited. Imports are controlled by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) under Schedule 3 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports and Exports) Regulation 1986. Age is the first test. Used petrol and diesel passenger cars, minivans and twin cabs must be 8 years or less from the year of manufacture, which FRCS states as 2018 or newer for 2026. Used hybrids must be 5 years or less, 2021 or newer. All must meet Euro 4. FRCS asks importers to obtain an import licence before the car is loaded, and a car that arrives outside the rules is a prohibited import and must be re-exported at the importer's cost. For a typical used car the fixed fiscal duty is the largest tax, so engine size matters more than price. FRCS may value cars against its quarterly motor vehicle landing cost schedule rather than the invoice alone. Cars arrive at Suva, where biosecurity inspection takes place, and the Land Transport Authority registers them.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Fiji?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Per the FRCS notice: petrol/diesel passenger vehicles, minivans and dual-purpose twin cabs generally ≤8 years from year of manufacture; hybrids ≤5 years; Euro 4 emissions required. Fiji drives on the left — RHD fits. LHD is prohibited; written-off vehicles prohibited; JEVIC inspection required.
- Inspection
- FRCS customs valuation, JEVIC pre-shipment, LTA registration, biosecurity.
- Restrictions
- Left-hand-drive vehicles and previously written-off vehicles are prohibited.
- Special rules
- Hybrids pay a flat FJ$2,000–4,250 fiscal-duty levy instead of the per-cc floor (concession).
- Entry ports
- Suva
How do you import a car from Japan to Fiji, step by step?
Confirm the car is eligible
In 2026, petrol and diesel cars must be 2018 or newer and hybrids 2021 or newer, Euro 4 compliant and right-hand drive. Check the engine band, because it sets the fiscal duty.
Obtain an FRCS import licence
Apply to FRCS for a motor vehicle import licence before the car is loaded and shipped. Cars shipped without meeting the criteria are not eligible for a licence.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued, which confirms the year of manufacture for the age rule.
Pass the pre-shipment inspection
The car is inspected in Japan before shipment (JEVIC carries out this inspection for Fiji). The certificate travels with the shipping documents.
Ship to Suva
Cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Suva, usually by RoRo vessel. The shipping line issues the bill of lading.
Clear customs and pay the taxes
A customs agent lodges the entry with FRCS. FRCS assesses the fiscal duty, the 5% ECAL and 15% VAT, and a biosecurity inspection is carried out before release.
Register with the Land Transport Authority
After release the car is inspected and registered by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which issues Fijian number plates.
Documents checklist
- FRCS motor vehicle import licence
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate with English translation
- Pre-shipment inspection certificate
- Bill of lading
- Customs entry lodged with FRCS
- Biosecurity clearance
- LTA registration application
What import duties and taxes does Fiji charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Fiscal Duty (per-unit floor by cc) | FJD 2,750–FJD 8,125 by engine size | Engine size (fixed amount) |
| Environment & Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL) | 5% | CIF value |
| VAT | 15% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Fiscal Duty (per-unit floor by cc)
Rate: FJD 2,750 up to 1,000 cc; FJD 3,875 up to 1,500 cc; FJD 5,000 up to 2,500 cc; FJD 6,750 up to 3,000 cc; FJD 8,125 above 3,000 cc. Charged on: Engine size (fixed amount).
Environment & Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL)
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 15%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Three charges apply to a used non-hybrid car. The fiscal duty is 15% of value or a fixed amount per unit, whichever is greater: FJ$2,750 below 1,000 cc, FJ$3,875 from 1,000 to 1,500 cc, FJ$5,000 from 1,500 to 2,500 cc, FJ$6,750 from 2,500 to 3,000 cc and FJ$8,125 above 3,000 cc. For typical used-car values the fixed amount is higher, so the duty table uses it. Import excise is free on used cars. The Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL) is 5% of CIF. VAT of 15% is charged on CIF plus fiscal duty and ECAL. Used hybrids pay a lower fixed fiscal duty of FJ$2,000 to FJ$4,250 by engine size instead. FRCS also lists a separate luxury vehicle levy for engines above 3,000 cc, which is not included in the table. Rates are from the FRCS motor vehicle duty rates notice issued after the 2022–2023 budget.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Fiji?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Suva | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Toyota Corolla Axio 1.5 L | US$6,370 | US$8,450 | US$3,74044% of CIF | FJD 27,900 – 29,800US$12,400 – US$13,300 |
| 2020 Suzuki Swift 1.2 L | US$6,130 | US$8,210 | US$3,69045% of CIF | FJD 27,200 – 29,200US$12,100 – US$13,000 |
| 2019 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 L | US$15,100 | US$17,600 | US$6,21035% of CIF | FJD 54,000 – 56,200US$24,000 – US$25,000 |
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 Suva. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suva | RoRo or container | 36–46 | US$2,050 |
FRCS asks for the import licence to be issued before the car is loaded, so book the vessel only after the licence is granted.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Fiji?
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A 1.5-litre petrol sedan in the FJ$3,875 fiscal duty band. It is widely used as a taxi and private car, and 2018 and newer cars meet the age rule.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A 1.2-litre petrol hatchback, also in the FJ$3,875 band. It is cheap to run and easy to park in Suva.
- Models and prices
Toyota Aqua
A 1.5-litre hybrid that pays the lower hybrid fiscal duty of FJ$2,000. Only 2021 and newer hybrids are allowed in 2026.
- Models and prices
Nissan X-Trail
A 2.0-litre SUV in the FJ$5,000 band, suited to rougher roads outside the towns. Hybrid versions must be 2021 or newer.
- Models and prices
Toyota Hilux
A diesel twin cab used for work and farming. Dual-purpose twin cabs follow the 8-year rule, so 2018 and newer qualify.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Fiji?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suva | Suva | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Lautoka | Suva | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Nadi | Suva | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Labasa | Suva | US$260 | US$320 | 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
- What is the age limit for importing a used car to Fiji?
- 8 years or less from the year of manufacture for petrol and diesel cars, which FRCS states as 2018 or newer in 2026. Used hybrids must be 5 years or less, 2021 or newer.
- How much is duty on a used car from Japan to Fiji?
- The fiscal duty is 15% of value or a fixed FJ$2,750 to FJ$8,125 by engine size, whichever is greater. A 5% ECAL and 15% VAT are added; import excise on used cars is free.
- Do I need an import licence to bring a car into Fiji?
- Yes. FRCS asks importers to obtain a motor vehicle import licence before the car is loaded and shipped. Cars outside the criteria cannot get a licence.
- Do hybrid cars pay less duty in Fiji?
- Yes. Used hybrids pay a fixed fiscal duty of FJ$2,000 to FJ$4,250 by engine size, lower than petrol cars. They must be 2021 or newer in 2026.
- What emissions standard must a car meet for Fiji?
- Euro 4. FRCS requires used petrol, diesel and hybrid passenger vehicles to be Euro 4 compliant as well as within the age limit.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to Fiji?
- No. Left-hand-drive vehicles are prohibited, as are previously written-off vehicles. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive.
- What happens if a car arrives in Fiji outside the age rule?
- It is treated as a prohibited import. It will not be released and must be re-exported at the importer's cost.
- What is ECAL on imported cars in Fiji?
- The Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy, charged at 5% of the CIF value of an imported motor vehicle. It was reduced from 10% to 5% in the 2020–2021 budget.
- Who registers an imported car in Fiji?
- The Land Transport Authority (LTA), after FRCS releases the car from customs and biosecurity checks are complete.
Sources
- FRCS — Importation of used or reconditioned motor vehicles in 2026 — checked 15 October 2026
- FRCS — Motor vehicle duty rates — checked 15 October 2026
- FRCS — Tax Talk: 2020–2021 National Budget revenue policies (ECAL on motor vehicles) — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Fiji
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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.