How do you import a car from Japan to Finland, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Finland charges 0% duty under the EU-Japan agreement, 25.5% VAT and car tax (autovero) modelled at 12–40% by engine size, about 48% of CIF for a 1.5-litre petrol car. There is no maximum age; car tax is based on the car's Finnish market value, so older cars pay less.
Car import duty calculator for Finland
Finland is an EU member, which means the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement applies and import duty on Japan-origin cars can be 0% with valid origin proof. Finnish VAT (ALV) is 25.5% on the imported value. The major Finnish-specific charge is the autovero, a one-off car tax payable to the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) at registration. It is calculated as a CO2-based percentage of the car's assessed Finnish-market value — for a fully electric car the rate is 0%, while a typical mid-size petrol car at around 150-180g/km CO2 faces roughly 25% of assessed value. Because autovero is assessed on Finnish-market value rather than the import purchase price, the figure varies and must be confirmed. Cars arrive at the Port of Hanko.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Finland?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No fixed maximum age. Autovero is based on the car’s current Finnish-market value, so older cars pay tax on a lower assessed value. Port: Hanko.
- Inspection
- Traficom registration inspection plus a car-tax (autovero) declaration to Vero are required before registration.
- Permits
- EU-Japan EPA origin proof for 0% duty; autovero declaration to the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero).
- Special rules
- Autovero is CO2-based: fully electric cars are taxed at 0%, while petrol cars pay a percentage of value that rises with CO2.
- Entry ports
- Hanko
How do you import a car from Japan to Finland, step by step?
Check the import rules
No fixed maximum age. Autovero is based on the car’s current Finnish-market value, so older cars pay tax on a lower assessed value. Port: Hanko. Finland 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; autovero declaration to the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero).
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 Finland.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Finland: Traficom registration inspection plus a car-tax (autovero) declaration to Vero are required before registration.
Ship to Hanko
Cars from Japan arrive at Hanko. 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 Car 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 Finland's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Finland charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU-Japan EPA) | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT (ALV) | 25.5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Car tax (autovero, estimated from engine size) | 12%–40% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
Import duty (EU-Japan EPA)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (ALV)
Rate: 25.5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Car tax (autovero, estimated from engine size)
Rate: 12% up to 1,000 cc; 22% up to 2,000 cc; 40% 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 may apply. Finnish VAT (ALV) is 25.5% on the imported value. The autovero is a one-off CO2-based car tax assessed by the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) on the car's Finnish-market value — the percentage rises with CO2, from 0% for full EVs to roughly a quarter to a third of assessed value for a typical mid-size petrol car. Because autovero tracks CO2 and the Finnish-market value, the exact figure depends on your specific car.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Finland?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanko | RoRo or container | 26–36 | US$1,600 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Finland?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
The Fit's low CO2 output puts it in a favourable autovero band, and the hybrid version is even more advantageous. Compact and practical for Finnish cities and roads.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A light, low-emission hatchback that minimises autovero. Easy to service anywhere in Finland and cheap to run year-round.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
Modest CO2 output and a competitive Finnish-market assessed value keep the autovero bill in the lower range. A practical, well-finished choice for Finnish buyers.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable and practical with a broad parts network in Finland. A sensible family choice where steady running costs and Toyota's service coverage matter most.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Finland?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanko | Hanko | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Helsinki | Hanko | US$210 | US$260 | 2 |
| Tampere | Hanko | US$250 | US$310 | 2 |
| Turku | Hanko | US$180 | US$220 | 2 |
| Oulu | Hanko | US$460 | US$580 | 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
- What is autovero and how much will it cost?
- Autovero is Finland's one-off car tax, assessed by the Finnish Tax Administration (Vero) at registration as a CO2-based percentage of the car's assessed Finnish-market value. Fully electric cars pay 0%; a typical mid-size petrol car at 150-180g/km CO2 pays roughly a quarter to a third of assessed value.
- Is import duty 0% for Japanese cars in Finland?
- Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty can be 0% with valid Japan-origin proof. Without it, standard TARIC/MFN duty may apply.
- Is there an age limit on importing a car to Finland?
- There is no fixed age cap. Older cars can have a lower assessed Finnish-market value, which may actually reduce the autovero bill. All cars must pass the Traficom registration inspection.
- Where does the car arrive in Finland?
- The main vehicle import port is Hanko on Finland's south coast. Delivery to Helsinki adds roughly $210 for a sedan; to Tampere roughly $250; to Oulu roughly $460.
Sources
- Vero — Amount of car tax — checked 15 October 2026
- Vero — Importing a vehicle to Finland — checked 15 October 2026
- Traficom — Vehicle taxation — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Finland
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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.