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 — which our team arranges.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Italy

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

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. When you import a car from Japan to Italy, the car arrives at the Port of Livorno and our licensed team handles the customs declaration, origin paperwork, conformity and roadworthiness checks, and the local registration formalities, so you receive a fully registered car without dealing with the port yourself.

Main ports: Livorno
Import age rule: No EU-wide age cap for private imports, but vehicle must pass customs, conformity/roadworthiness, emissions/type-approval and local registration.
Steering: both
Duties & taxes: Approx. duty 0%, VAT 22% on the imported value. Use 0% only where Japan-origin EPA proof is accepted; otherwise TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty can apply.

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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 Italy

Choose the car you want
Tell us your budget and use case. Italy has no age limit and accepts right-hand drive, so we can shortlist cars freely and confirm they will clear Italian conformity and emissions requirements.
We source it from Japan's auctions
Our licensed USS auction access lets us find the car, read the auction sheet and condition grade, and verify the real mechanical state before you commit to anything.
Pre-shipment origin documentation
We prepare the Japan-origin proof needed to claim the 0% EPA duty rate when the shipment clears Italian customs, alongside export formalities in Japan.
Ocean shipping to Livorno
The car sails to the Port of Livorno, Italy's principal roll-on/roll-off entry point for used-vehicle imports. We send you the sailing schedule and tracking.
Customs, IVA and conformity at Livorno
On arrival our team handles the customs declaration, pays 22% IVA, completes conformity and roadworthiness checks, and clears the car through the port.
Registration and delivery to your city
We complete the Italian registration formalities and then deliver the car from Livorno to Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Bologna or wherever you are.

Import duties & taxes in Italy explained

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. Because the exact treatment depends on your specific car and its origin paperwork, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Italy

Honda Fit
A compact hatchback with petrol and hybrid options — frugal in urban Italian traffic and well within typical budget bands for Japanese imports.
See prices
Mazda Demio
The Japanese-market Mazda2, with a refined interior and small efficient engine that keeps running costs and registration taxes low.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with a strong resale track record — easy to register and straightforward to run on Italian roads.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A dependable compact sedan from Japan's domestic range — widely serviced and a safe conservative choice for family buyers.
See 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.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Italy

Livorno — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $150.
Bologna — Delivery from Livorno to Bologna adds roughly $220 for a sedan.
Milan — Delivery from Livorno to Milan adds roughly $270 for a sedan.
Rome — Delivery from Livorno to Rome adds roughly $280 for a sedan.
Turin — Delivery from Livorno to Turin adds roughly $290 for a sedan.
Naples — Delivery from Livorno to Naples adds roughly $380 for a sedan.

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 — which our team arranges.