Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to France?

No — France has no fixed maximum age cap for private car imports. The car must clear customs, pass a roadworthiness inspection (contrôle technique), and meet first-registration formalities for the carte grise.

What is the CO2 malus and how much will I pay?

Since March 2025, the CO2 malus écologique applies to imported used cars at first French registration. It starts at 113 g/km and scales steeply — roughly €900–3,100 at 150 g/km, up to €33,000 near 180 g/km, capped at €70,000. An age depreciation coefficient reduces it for older vehicles. We calculate it before you commit.

Do I pay import duty on a Japanese car in France?

Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% with valid origin proof. You also pay 20% TVA (VAT) on the imported value, plus the CO2 malus and carte grise fee at registration.

Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in France?

Yes. French registration accepts both left- and right-hand drive, so a right-hand-drive Japanese import can be put on the road once it passes the contrôle technique and first-registration process.

Which port does the car arrive at?

Japan-to-France imports typically arrive at the Port of Le Havre. From there we arrange inland delivery to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice or wherever you are.

Cost to import a car from Japan to France

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

France has no fixed age limit on used-car imports, so a well-maintained Japanese car can clear customs regardless of its year — but the country drives on the right, and Japanese stock is right-hand drive, which French registration permits. The number that surprises most buyers is not the duty. Under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, import duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% with valid origin proof, and VAT stands at 20%. The decisive variable is the CO2 malus écologique, which since March 2025 also applies to imported used cars at first French registration. It starts at 113 g/km and scales steeply — a mid-size petrol car at 170 g/km can attract €3,300–14,300, while anything near 180 g/km triggers roughly €33,000, capped at €70,000. An age-based depreciation coefficient reduces the charge for older cars. When you import a car from Japan to France, our licensed team reads the Japanese auction sheet, confirms the car's CO2 figure, and calculates the malus before you agree to anything, so there are no shocks at the port of Le Havre.

Main ports: Le Havre
Import age rule: No fixed maximum age. Since 1 March 2025 imported used cars pay the CO2 malus at first French registration, reduced by an age-based depreciation coefficient. Port: Le Havre.
Steering: both
Duties & taxes: France charges 20% VAT on the import value, but the decisive cost is the CO2 "malus ecologique", which since March 2025 also applies to imported used cars at first French registration. The malus starts at 113 g/km and rises very steeply — roughly €900-3,100 at 150 g/km, €3,300-14,300 at 170 g/km and about €33,000 at 180 g/km in 2025 (capped at €70,000), reduced by an age coefficient for older cars — plus a regional carte grise fee. We show a conservative representative 10% on top of VAT for a typical mid-size petrol car, but this depends entirely on the car’s exact CO2 and registration year and is an estimate our team confirms before quoting; a high-CO2 car can cost tens of thousands more.

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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 France

Choose the right car for France
Tell us your budget and priorities. We shortlist Japan-origin cars — both left- and right-hand drive are registerable in France — and flag the CO2 figure so you know the malus before committing.
We source it at Japanese auction
Using our licensed USS auction access, our team reads the auction sheet and grade and verifies the car's actual condition, mileage and CO2-relevant engine spec before any bid is placed.
Pre-shipment origin documentation
We prepare the Japan-origin proof and export paperwork needed to claim the 0% EPA duty rate when the car clears customs at Le Havre.
Ocean shipping to Le Havre
The car sails to the Port of Le Havre, France's main entry point for roll-on/roll-off vehicle imports. We send you the sailing schedule and tracking once booked.
Customs, VAT and CO2 malus
On arrival our team handles the customs declaration, pays 20% TVA and manages the CO2 malus calculation. We have already modelled this before departure, so the figure at the port matches our quote.
Contrôle technique and carte grise
After clearing customs the car needs a roadworthiness inspection (contrôle technique) and first-registration formalities to obtain the carte grise. We arrange these and deliver the car to your door.

Import duties & taxes in France explained

Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% when valid origin proof accompanies the shipment; without it, standard TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty can apply instead. On top of duty comes 20% French VAT (TVA) on the imported value. The decisive extra cost is the CO2 malus écologique, applied since March 2025 to imported used cars at first French registration: it starts at 113 g/km, runs roughly €900–3,100 at 150 g/km, €3,300–14,300 at 170 g/km and about €33,000 at 180 g/km (capped at €70,000), with an age-based depreciation coefficient reducing it for older vehicles. A regional carte grise fee also applies. Because the exact figures depend on your car's CO2 rating and registration year, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for France

Honda Fit
Petrol and hybrid options with low CO2 output keep the malus modest, and the practical cabin works well as an everyday city car.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A compact hatchback (Japanese-market Mazda2) with a well-finished cabin and a small engine that sits below the steepest malus bands.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, efficient and easy to keep — a sensible choice for buyers watching both the malus and ongoing running costs.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A reliable compact sedan from Japan's domestic range — straightforward to register and a conservative pick for family use.
See prices
Daihatsu Mira
An ultra-compact kei car with very low CO2 — good for buyers wanting the cheapest possible malus bill and minimal running costs.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in France

Le Havre — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $150.
Paris — Delivery from Le Havre to Paris adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
Lyon — Delivery from Le Havre to Lyon adds roughly $450 for a sedan.
Toulouse — Delivery from Le Havre to Toulouse adds roughly $510 for a sedan.
Marseille — Delivery from Le Havre to Marseille adds roughly $580 for a sedan.
Nice — Delivery from Le Havre to Nice adds roughly $610 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to France?: No — France has no fixed maximum age cap for private car imports. The car must clear customs, pass a roadworthiness inspection (contrôle technique), and meet first-registration formalities for the carte grise.
What is the CO2 malus and how much will I pay?: Since March 2025, the CO2 malus écologique applies to imported used cars at first French registration. It starts at 113 g/km and scales steeply — roughly €900–3,100 at 150 g/km, up to €33,000 near 180 g/km, capped at €70,000. An age depreciation coefficient reduces it for older vehicles. We calculate it before you commit.
Do I pay import duty on a Japanese car in France?: Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% with valid origin proof. You also pay 20% TVA (VAT) on the imported value, plus the CO2 malus and carte grise fee at registration.
Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in France?: Yes. French registration accepts both left- and right-hand drive, so a right-hand-drive Japanese import can be put on the road once it passes the contrôle technique and first-registration process.
Which port does the car arrive at?: Japan-to-France imports typically arrive at the Port of Le Havre. From there we arrange inland delivery to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice or wherever you are.