Does Hong Kong charge import duty on cars from Japan?

No — Hong Kong is a free port and levies zero import duty on vehicles. The main tax is First Registration Tax (FRT), which is tiered and works out to roughly 86% of the car's imported value. We quote the exact FRT amount before you commit.

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

There is no absolute statutory age ban, but used cars are generally expected to be under 7 years old from the date of first registration in Japan. Older vehicles may still qualify if they meet classic or vintage criteria — our team checks eligibility for your specific car before sourcing.

Can I import both left- and right-hand drive cars to Hong Kong?

Yes. Hong Kong drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese imports are the natural fit, but left-hand-drive vehicles can also be registered. Our team advises which specification makes most sense for your intended use.

How long does shipping from Japan to Hong Kong take?

Sea freight from Japanese ports to Hong Kong typically takes one to two weeks. Our team books the vessel, sends you the sailing schedule and tracking, and handles all documentation at both ends.

Do you handle the Transport Department first-registration paperwork?

Yes. Our licensed team prepares the full customs declaration, coordinates the FRT assessment, and completes the Transport Department first-registration process so the car arrives registered and ready to drive.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Hong Kong

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Hong Kong is a free port for vehicles, meaning customs import duty is 0% — but do not confuse that with cheap. The government charges First Registration Tax (FRT) on new and used imports, which works out to roughly 86% of the imported value, making the tax load one of the steepest in East Asia. You also need to stay within the generally accepted age window: imported used cars are typically expected to be under 7 years old unless the vehicle qualifies as a classic or vintage, and left- or right-hand drive are both accepted since Hong Kong drives on the left. The process of importing a car from Japan to Hong Kong involves a customs declaration and first-registration approval from the Transport Department, followed by FRT assessment. Our licensed team uses USS auction access to find the right car at Japan auction, arranges a pre-shipment inspection, handles the sea freight to Hong Kong port, and prepares the first-registration and FRT paperwork so nothing stalls at the border. Because FRT is tiered and assessed on the vehicle's imported value, the tax bill shifts by make, model and age — we quote the exact figure before you commit.

Main ports: Hong Kong
Import age rule: Hong Kong is a free port with NO customs import duty; the cost is the First Registration Tax (FRT). Imported used cars must generally be under 7 years old, petrol, and meet Euro V emission + noise standards (EPD Vehicle Emission approval obtained BEFORE shipping). Hong Kong drives on the LEFT — RHD Japanese stock fits; LHD is not registrable. Classic exemptions for 20/30+ year vehicles.
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: No customs import duty (free port). The First Registration Tax is PROGRESSIVE on the taxable value (≈ landed CIF + brokerage, less depreciation for used cars): 46% on the first HK$150,000, 86% on 150k–300k, 115% on 300k–500k, 132% above HK$500,000. There is no VAT/GST. Effective load is ~46% of value for a typical small car (all in band 1) rising toward ~54% for a ~HK$330k SUV and 100%+ only for very high-value cars. Bands last changed 24 Feb 2021 (unchanged in the 2025 budget).

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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 Hong Kong

Choose a Hong Kong-ready car
Tell us your budget and requirements. We shortlist cars that fall within the accepted age window (typically under 7 years old) and confirm they can pass the Transport Department's first-registration process.
We source it from Japan's auctions
Using our licensed USS auction access, our team identifies the car, reads its auction sheet and grade, and verifies actual condition before you agree to anything.
Pre-shipment inspection
We arrange a roadworthiness and condition check in Japan before the car is loaded, and prepare the customs declaration and origin documentation needed for the Hong Kong import entry.
Ocean freight to Hong Kong
The car is shipped to the Port of Hong Kong. We send you the sailing schedule and vessel tracking so you know exactly when to expect it.
First Registration Tax assessment and customs
On arrival we handle the customs declaration and submit the vehicle for FRT assessment by the Transport Department. Because FRT is tiered by imported value, we prepare the valuation documents carefully to support the correct band.
Registration and delivery
Once FRT is paid and the car passes the Transport Department checks, we complete first registration and arrange delivery to your address in Hong Kong, Kowloon or the New Territories.

Import duties & taxes in Hong Kong explained

Hong Kong levies zero import duty on vehicles — it is a free port. The major tax is First Registration Tax (FRT), which is tiered and applies to every private car being registered in Hong Kong for the first time. The effective rate works out to approximately 86% of the vehicle's imported value for a typical used car, though the precise amount depends on the taxable value assessed by the Transport Department and which FRT band the vehicle falls into. Because the assessment is based on the imported value rather than the Japan auction price alone, and because bands shift by vehicle type and age, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Hong Kong

Honda Fit
A compact, fuel-efficient hatchback with petrol and hybrid variants — small engine size helps contain the FRT bill, and the Fit's practical magic-seat cabin is well suited to Hong Kong's dense urban environment.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A conservative, reliable compact sedan from Japan's domestic range, popular with buyers who want proven running costs and easy servicing in Hong Kong.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A stylish small hatchback with a well-finished cabin; its small displacement engine keeps the taxable imported value — and therefore FRT — on the lower side.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and easy to park in tight city streets; the Swift's modest size and low fuel bills suit Hong Kong's stop-start traffic well.
See prices
Daihatsu Mira
A kei car with ultra-low running costs and a tiny footprint — ideal for buyers who want the absolute minimum in operating expenses in one of Asia's most congested cities.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Hong Kong

Hong Kong — You are at the port of entry — inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $150.
Kowloon — Delivery from Hong Kong port to Kowloon adds roughly $150 for a sedan.
New Territories — Delivery from Hong Kong port to the New Territories adds roughly $150 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hong Kong charge import duty on cars from Japan?: No — Hong Kong is a free port and levies zero import duty on vehicles. The main tax is First Registration Tax (FRT), which is tiered and works out to roughly 86% of the car's imported value. We quote the exact FRT amount before you commit.
Is there an age limit to import a car from Japan to Hong Kong?: There is no absolute statutory age ban, but used cars are generally expected to be under 7 years old from the date of first registration in Japan. Older vehicles may still qualify if they meet classic or vintage criteria — our team checks eligibility for your specific car before sourcing.
Can I import both left- and right-hand drive cars to Hong Kong?: Yes. Hong Kong drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese imports are the natural fit, but left-hand-drive vehicles can also be registered. Our team advises which specification makes most sense for your intended use.
How long does shipping from Japan to Hong Kong take?: Sea freight from Japanese ports to Hong Kong typically takes one to two weeks. Our team books the vessel, sends you the sailing schedule and tracking, and handles all documentation at both ends.
Do you handle the Transport Department first-registration paperwork?: Yes. Our licensed team prepares the full customs declaration, coordinates the FRT assessment, and completes the Transport Department first-registration process so the car arrives registered and ready to drive.