How do you import a car from Japan to Germany, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Germany charges 0% customs duty on cars from Japan under the EU-Japan agreement and 19% import VAT, about 19% of CIF before registration costs. There is no age limit, but the car must pass conformity, emissions and roadworthiness checks before registration.
Car import duty calculator for Germany
Germany has no EU-wide age cap on private car imports, but every car must clear customs, prove conformity and roadworthiness, meet emissions and type-approval rules, and pass local registration before it can drive. The cost story is friendlier than most: under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, import duty on a Japan-origin car can be 0% with valid origin proof, with 19% VAT charged on the imported value.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Germany?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No EU-wide age cap for private imports, but vehicle must pass customs, conformity/roadworthiness, emissions/type-approval and local registration.
- Inspection
- Customs declaration; conformity/roadworthiness; local registration tax/CO2 rules
- Entry ports
- Hamburg
How do you import a car from Japan to Germany, step by step?
Check the import rules
No EU-wide age cap for private imports, but vehicle must pass customs, conformity/roadworthiness, emissions/type-approval and local registration. Germany accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
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 Germany.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Germany: Customs declaration; conformity/roadworthiness; local registration tax/CO2 rules.
Ship to Hamburg
Cars from Japan arrive at Hamburg. Sea transit is about 35–42 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 and VAT / GST; 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 Germany's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Germany charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT / GST | 19% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT / GST
Rate: 19%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
For a Japan-origin car, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement means import duty can be 0% when valid origin proof is accepted; without that proof, standard TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty can apply instead. On top of duty you pay 19% German VAT on the imported value. Note that national registration and CO2-based motor taxes are separate and vary by the car's engine and emissions — these are not part of the import duty itself.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Germany?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg | RoRo or container | 35–42 | US$1,350 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Germany?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A frugal, practical hatchback with hybrid and petrol options — note Japanese-market cars are right-hand drive, which German registration permits.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with low running costs, a tidy city car for buyers who do not mind a right-hand-drive Japanese import.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A compact hatchback (the Japanese-market Mazda2) with a well-finished cabin and a small, efficient engine.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A reliable, low-cost compact sedan from Japan's domestic range — straightforward to keep on the road and a right-hand-drive model.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Germany?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerhaven | Hamburg | US$190 | US$240 | 2 |
| Hamburg | Hamburg | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Berlin | Hamburg | US$280 | US$350 | 2 |
| Munich | Hamburg | US$480 | US$600 | 3 |
| Frankfurt | Hamburg | US$360 | US$450 | 3 |
| Cologne | Hamburg | US$340 | US$420 | 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
- Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Germany?
- No — there is no EU-wide age cap for private imports. The car must, however, clear customs and pass conformity, roadworthiness, emissions and local registration before it can be driven.
- Do I pay import duty on a Japanese car in Germany?
- Often not. Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty on a Japan-origin car can be 0% with valid origin proof; otherwise standard TARIC duty may apply. Either way you pay 19% German VAT on the imported value.
- Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in Germany?
- Yes. Germany permits both left- and right-hand drive, so right-hand-drive Japanese imports can be registered once they pass conformity, emissions and the local registration process.
Sources
- European Commission — EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement — checked 15 October 2026
- European Commission — VAT rates — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Germany
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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.