Cost to import a car from Japan to Indonesia
Rates & rules last reviewed
Indonesia drives on the left and uses right-hand-drive vehicles — the same standard as Japan — and Toyota, Honda, Suzuki and Daihatsu are everywhere because they are locally assembled, not imported as used CBUs. The distinction matters enormously: importing a used CBU (Completely Built Up) passenger car is not lawful for ordinary private buyers in Indonesia under the Ministry of Trade's Permendag regulations. The framework is designed to protect the local automotive assembly industry, and enforcement is serious. A Surveyor Report (LS) from a government-designated surveyor (Sucofindo or Surveyor Indonesia) is required for any lawful CBU import that does take place. Where a legal channel exists — commercial importers with specific approvals — the duty structure is formidable: 50% import duty on CIF, a PPnBM Luxury Goods Tax of 15% at 1,500cc rising to 125% above 3,000cc, and 12% VAT stacked on the cumulative total. The combined burden can exceed 180% of CIF. If you are a returning expatriate, a diplomat, or a commercial entity with an approved import licence, our licensed team can manage the full process. For everyone else, we recommend speaking to us on WhatsApp so we can properly assess your situation before any money moves.
- Main ports
- Tanjung Priok, Jakarta
- Import age rule
- No formal published age limit. Restriction is categorical (permit-based); not age-based.
- Steering
- RHD
- Duties & taxes
- Effectively prohibited for general buyers. In the rare legal case: import duty ~50% CIF + PPnBM luxury tax 15–125% (engine cc) + VAT 12%. Total burden can exceed 180% of CIF. Used CBU passenger-car import prohibited for general buyers under Permendag.
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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 Indonesia
Confirm your legal import status
Private CBU passenger-car imports are not permitted for general buyers under Indonesian trade ministry regulations. We confirm your specific situation — diplomat, returning expat, licensed commercial entity — before any sourcing begins.
We source the car at Japan's auctions
For eligible importers, our licensed USS auction team sources the right-hand-drive Japanese car you need, with full auction sheet and grade documentation required by Indonesian customs.
Surveyor report (LS) from Sucofindo or SI
Any lawful CBU import requires a Surveyor Report (Laporan Surveyor) from a government-designated surveyor — Sucofindo or Surveyor Indonesia — inspecting the car before it leaves Japan. We arrange this in Japan.
Ocean shipping to Tanjung Priok, Jakarta
The car ships to Tanjung Priok, Jakarta's main port. Our Indonesian customs agent handles the import-permit verification, pays duty and taxes, and clears the car through the port.
Import duties & taxes in Indonesia explained
For lawful CBU imports where an import approval exists, Indonesia applies: Import Duty (Bea Masuk) at 50% of CIF, followed by the PPnBM Luxury Goods Tax by engine capacity — 15% up to 1,500cc, 40% up to 2,500cc, 60% up to 3,000cc, and 125% above 3,000cc — and then 12% VAT (PPN) on the cumulative total. The combined burden can exceed 180% of CIF on a typical 1,500cc car. For most ordinary buyers the import approval itself is the insurmountable barrier rather than the duty rate. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.
Popular Japanese cars for Indonesia
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Honda Fit
For eligible importers, the Fit's 1.3L engine attracts the lowest PPnBM band (15%), minimising the luxury tax while providing a practical, fuel-efficient hatchback that suits Jakarta's daily traffic.
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Toyota Corolla Axio
Indonesia's most widely serviced Japanese family sedan — a 1.5L engine that keeps it in the 15% PPnBM band, with Toyota's vast local service network making maintenance easy anywhere in the archipelago.
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Suzuki Swift
A compact, affordable Japanese hatchback with a small engine that sits at the lower end of the PPnBM scale — low Japan auction price and minimal luxury-tax exposure for eligible importers.
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Daihatsu Mira
The kei Mira's 660cc engine falls in the lowest possible PPnBM bracket, making it the most tax-efficient Japanese car for eligible importers who need a simple, economical urban vehicle.
Shipping cost to major cities in Indonesia
- Jakarta — Local delivery from Tanjung Priok port adds roughly $50 for a sedan — you are at the port city.
- Bandung — Delivery from Jakarta to Bandung adds roughly $160 for a sedan.
- Surabaya — Delivery from Tanjung Priok port to Surabaya adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
- Semarang — Delivery from Jakarta port to Semarang adds roughly $300 for a sedan.
- Denpasar — Delivery from Jakarta port to Denpasar (Bali) adds roughly $570 for a sedan.
- Medan — Delivery from Jakarta port to Medan adds roughly $790 for a sedan.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I import a used Japanese car to Indonesia as a private buyer?
- Generally no. Importing a used CBU passenger car is prohibited for ordinary private buyers under Indonesia's Ministry of Trade regulations (Permendag). Legal channels exist for diplomats, returning expatriates and licensed commercial importers. Contact our team on WhatsApp to assess your specific situation.
- What is the PPnBM luxury tax on cars in Indonesia?
- PPnBM is applied after import duty and is the main variable tax: 15% up to 1,500cc, 40% up to 2,500cc, 60% up to 3,000cc, and 125% above 3,000cc — applied on CIF plus the 50% import duty already paid. Then 12% VAT applies on the cumulative total.
- What is a Surveyor Report (LS) and why is it required?
- An LS (Laporan Surveyor) is a certificate from a government-designated Indonesian surveyor — Sucofindo or Surveyor Indonesia — confirming the car's condition, value and specifications before it leaves Japan. Any lawful CBU import must have this document. We arrange the inspection in Japan.