How do you import a car from Japan to India, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
India charges 100% basic customs duty and a 10% social welfare surcharge on CIF, then 28% IGST and a 1–22% compensation cess on the running total, about 171% of CIF for a 1.5-litre petrol car. Used cars must be no more than 3 years old, right-hand drive, and enter through a limited set of ports.
Car import duty calculator for India
India is technically open to used Japanese car imports, but the tax structure makes it unviable for the vast majority of buyers. The country drives on the left and accepts only right-hand-drive cars up to 3 years old, imported through specific ports (Nhava Sheva in Mumbai and Chennai Port). The duty stack is among the heaviest anywhere: 100% Basic Customs Duty, a 10% Social Welfare Surcharge on that duty, 28% IGST on the cumulative total, and a Compensation Cess that rises by engine size from 1% at 1,500cc to 22% above 4,000cc. Together these push the effective tax burden to roughly 100–180% of the car's CIF value, meaning you typically pay twice the car's value or more in tax alone. For most buyers researching how to import a car from Japan to India, the realistic answer is that a new locally-assembled car is the more affordable path.
Can you import a used car from Japan to India?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- ≤3 years from manufacture; RHD; limited ports of entry.
- Inspection
- Roadworthiness certificate
- Permits
- Restricted import — limited entry ports and conditions.
- Restrictions
- Prohibitively taxed; most used imports unviable.
- Entry ports
- Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai, Chennai Port
How do you import a car from Japan to India, step by step?
Check the import rules
≤3 years from manufacture; RHD; limited ports of entry. India registers right-hand-drive vehicles, so Japanese domestic stock meets the steering rule.
Obtain the import permit
Restricted import — limited entry ports and conditions.
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 India.
Complete the required inspection
Required for India: Roadworthiness certificate.
Ship to Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai
Cars from Japan arrive at Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai. Sea transit is about 19–26 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 Basic Customs Duty, Social Welfare Surcharge, IGST and Compensation Cess; 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 India's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does India charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Customs Duty | 100% | CIF value |
| Social Welfare Surcharge | 10% | CIF value |
| IGST | 28% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Compensation Cess | 1%–22% by engine size | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Basic Customs Duty
Rate: 100%. Charged on: CIF value.
Social Welfare Surcharge
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF value.
IGST
Rate: 28%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Compensation Cess
Rate: 1% up to 1,500 cc; 15% up to 4,000 cc; 22% above 4,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
India's import tax on used passenger cars is among the highest in Asia. Basic Customs Duty is 100% of CIF, followed by a Social Welfare Surcharge of 10% on that duty. IGST (Integrated GST) at 28% is applied on the cumulative total of CIF plus duty plus surcharge. On top of that comes a Compensation Cess that scales with engine displacement: 1% at up to 1,500cc, 15% at 1,501–4,000cc, and 22% above 4,000cc. The effective combined burden typically runs 100–180% of the car's CIF value, making the total landed cost two to nearly three times the imported car's price. These figures are why new locally-assembled cars are far more cost-effective for most Indian buyers.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to India?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai | RoRo or container | 19–26 | US$900 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in India?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A 1.3L engine keeps it in the lowest Compensation Cess band (1%), giving the most tax-efficient entry point of any full-size Japanese hatchback for the rare buyer for whom a used import makes sense in India.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Right-hand-drive, well-documented service history and a 1.5L engine that minimises cess — the Axio is the default sensible choice if a used Japanese import is the path chosen.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Low auction price keeps the duty base manageable; small engine sits in the 1% Compensation Cess band. Suzuki's brand presence in India also means parts are straightforward to source.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A compact, well-specified hatchback with a small 1.3L engine at a budget auction price — the best option for buyers who want a premium finish while minimising the tax calculation base.
How much is inland delivery to cities in India?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai | US$280 | US$360 | 7 |
| Bengaluru | Chennai Port | US$160 | US$210 | 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
- Is it worth importing a used car from Japan to India?
- For most buyers, no — the tax burden of 100–180% of CIF makes a locally-assembled new car far more economical. However, specific cases (collectors, businesses needing a particular Japanese spec) do import.
- What taxes apply to importing a car from Japan to India?
- The main layers are: Basic Customs Duty 100% of CIF, Social Welfare Surcharge 10% on that duty, IGST 28% on the cumulative value, and a Compensation Cess from 1% to 22% depending on engine size. The combined effective rate typically reaches 100–180% of CIF.
- Which ports can I import a car through in India?
- Used vehicle imports are restricted to designated ports — primarily Nhava Sheva (JNPT) near Mumbai and Chennai Port.
Sources
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — India — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for India
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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.