How do you import a car from Japan to Italy, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Italy charges 0% customs duty on cars from Japan under the EU-Japan agreement and 22% VAT, about 22% of the CIF value before registration costs. There is no EU-wide age limit, but the car must pass conformity, emissions and roadworthiness checks before it can be registered.
Car import duty calculator for Italy
Italy has no EU-wide age cap on private car imports, and the country accepts both left- and right-hand drive — so the full range of Japanese domestic stock is available to Italian buyers. The duty story is positive: under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, import duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% with valid origin proof, and 22% Italian VAT (IVA) applies on the imported value.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Italy?
- 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
- Livorno
How do you import a car from Japan to Italy, 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. Italy 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 Italy.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Italy: Customs declaration; conformity/roadworthiness; local registration tax/CO2 rules.
Ship to Livorno
Cars from Japan arrive at Livorno. Sea transit is about 27–36 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 Italy's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Italy charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT / GST | 22% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT / GST
Rate: 22%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty on a Japan-origin car is 0% when valid origin proof is submitted at customs; without it, standard TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty can apply instead. On top of duty comes 22% Italian VAT (IVA) on the imported value. Italy also requires conformity (omologazione) and roadworthiness checks, and national registration taxes apply at the time of registering the car — these vary by the vehicle's engine and emissions.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Italy?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livorno | RoRo or container | 27–36 | US$1,350 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Italy?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact hatchback with petrol and hybrid options — frugal in urban Italian traffic and well within typical budget bands for Japanese imports.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
The Japanese-market Mazda2, with a refined interior and small efficient engine that keeps running costs and registration taxes low.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with a strong resale track record — easy to register and straightforward to run on Italian roads.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A dependable compact sedan from Japan's domestic range — widely serviced and a safe conservative choice for family buyers.
- Models and prices
Daihatsu Mira
Ultra-compact kei car with minimal engine size — lowest running costs for urban use and easy to park in narrow Italian city centres.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Italy?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livorno | Livorno | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Rome | Livorno | US$280 | US$350 | 2 |
| Milan | Livorno | US$270 | US$340 | 2 |
| Naples | Livorno | US$380 | US$480 | 3 |
| Turin | Livorno | US$290 | US$360 | 2 |
| Bologna | Livorno | US$220 | US$280 | 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 Italy?
- No — there is no EU-wide age cap for private imports. The car must clear customs and pass conformity, roadworthiness, emissions and local registration checks before it can be driven in Italy.
- Do I pay import duty on a Japanese car in Italy?
- Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty is 0% with valid Japan-origin proof. You also pay 22% IVA (VAT) on the imported value, plus conformity and registration costs that vary by car.
- Can a right-hand-drive Japanese car be registered in Italy?
- Yes. Italy accepts both left- and right-hand drive for private imports, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars can be registered once they pass conformity and roadworthiness checks.
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 Italy
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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.