How do you import cars from Japan to Jamaica, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
To import cars from Japan to Jamaica you pay 20% import duty, a Special Consumption Tax of 10%, 20% or 30% by engine size, 15% GCT and a 0.5% environmental levy on a petrol car: about 52% of CIF up to 1,000 cc, 66% up to 2,000 cc and 80% above. Cars must be right-hand drive, no more than 6 years old, pre-inspected in Japan and covered by a Trade Board import licence.
Worked example: a 2021 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5 L costs about 4,080,000 to 4,350,000 JMD (US$25,700 to US$27,400) delivered to Montego Bay, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Jamaica
Jamaica drives on the left and Japanese right-hand-drive cars make up a large share of its used imports. The main limit is age: under the Trade Board's Motor Vehicle Import Policy, sedans, station wagons and SUVs seating up to 8 may be no more than 6 years old at importation. Panel vans, window vans and heavier pickups are allowed up to 10 years. Every used vehicle shipped from Japan must pass a pre-shipment inspection, which includes sanitisation, by Autoterminal Japan (ATJ). The inspection certificate is needed for the Trade Board import licence, and the licence must be issued before the car reaches Jamaica. An individual may import up to 2 motor vehicles every 3 years, but not 2 motor cars. Taxes are collected by the Jamaica Customs Agency. Engine size drives the bill for petrol cars, because the Special Consumption Tax steps from 10% to 30%. Diesel and hybrid cars have their own lower rates in the JCA rate sheet.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Jamaica?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Motor cars ≤6 years; Trade Board import licence required.
- Permits
- Trade Board import licence.
- Restrictions
- Cars over 6 years not permitted.
- Entry ports
- Port of Kingston
How do you import a car from Japan to Jamaica, step by step?
Check the age, steering and engine band
Confirm the car is right-hand drive and within the 6-year limit for cars (10 years for panel vans and heavier pickups). Check the engine size, because it sets the Special Consumption Tax band.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. It shows the model, year, chassis number, colour, seating and weight that the Trade Board application needs.
Pass the pre-shipment inspection
Autoterminal Japan (ATJ) inspects and sanitises used vehicles exported from Japan to Jamaica and issues the pre-shipment inspection certificate.
Apply for the Trade Board import licence
Apply online through JSWIFT with the invoice, export certificate, ID, TRN and inspection certificate. The permit fee is J$6,325, processing takes about 3 working days, and the permit must be issued before the car arrives.
Ship to Kingston
Cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Kingston. The shipping line issues the bill of lading needed for the customs entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A customs broker lodges the declaration in ASYCUDA World with the licence, invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. JCA assesses duty, SCT, GCT and the levies on the CIF value.
Get a certificate of fitness and register
After release the car is examined at an Island Traffic Authority depot for a certificate of fitness. Tax Administration Jamaica then issues the motor vehicle registration certificate and plates.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice or bill of sale
- Japanese export certificate (cancelled registration) with English translation
- Pre-shipment inspection certificate from Autoterminal Japan (ATJ)
- Trade Board import licence issued through JSWIFT
- Valid ID, proof of citizenship and Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN)
- Original bill of lading
- Customs declaration lodged in ASYCUDA World by a customs broker
- Certificate of fitness and registration application
What import duties and taxes does Jamaica charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 20% | CIF value |
| Special Consumption Tax (petrol)Applies to petrol vehicles only | 10%–30% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| Special Consumption Tax (diesel)Applies to diesel vehicles only | 0%–20% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| GCT | 15% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Environmental Levy | 0.5% | CIF value |
Import Duty
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF value.
Special Consumption Tax (petrol)
Rate: 10% up to 1,000 cc; 20% up to 2,000 cc; 30% up to 3,500 cc; 30% above 3,500 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to petrol vehicles only.
Special Consumption Tax (diesel)
Rate: 0% up to 1,000 cc; 10% up to 2,200 cc; 20% above 2,200 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty. Applies to diesel vehicles only. Source: Jamaica Customs Agency — Motor Vehicle Individual Rate Sheet 2025.
GCT
Rate: 15%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Environmental Levy
Rate: 0.5%. Charged on: CIF value.
All charges are based on the CIF value of the car (cost, insurance and freight to Kingston). Import duty is 20% of CIF. The Special Consumption Tax is charged on CIF plus duty: for a petrol car it is 10% up to 1,000 cc, 20% from 1,001 to 2,000 cc and 30% above 2,000 cc. General Consumption Tax of 15% is charged on CIF plus duty plus SCT. The environmental levy is 0.5% of CIF. These figures match the aggregate rates of 52%, 66% and 80% in the JCA motor vehicle rate sheet for individual importers. Hybrid and fully electric motor cars pay 0% SCT, and diesel cars have their own lower bands, shown in the table. Customs also collects a 0.3% Standard Compliance Fee, stamp duty and a customs administrative fee, which are not in the table.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Jamaica?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Kingston | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5 L | US$12,300 | US$15,400 | US$10,20066% of CIF | JMD 4,080,000 – 4,350,000US$25,700 – US$27,400 |
| 2021 Toyota Noah 2.0 L | US$25,600 | US$28,600 | US$18,90066% of CIF | JMD 7,570,000 – 7,840,000US$47,800 – US$49,500 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 2.5 L | US$27,000 | US$30,100 | US$24,00080% of CIF | JMD 8,600,000 – 8,870,000US$54,300 – US$56,000 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Montego Bay. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
This market taxes by engine size, age or fuel. Enter all three for a tighter figure.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | RoRo or container | 24–36 | US$2,500 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Jamaica?
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Fielder
A 1.5-litre petrol estate that sits in the 20% SCT band. It counts as a station wagon, so the 6-year limit applies.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A small hatchback with a 1.3 or 1.5 petrol engine, both in the 20% SCT band. Hybrid versions fall under the separate hybrid rate.
- Models and prices
Toyota Noah
A 2.0-litre petrol people carrier seating up to 8. At 1,986 cc it stays just inside the 20% SCT band.
- Models and prices
Mazda CX-5
A mid-size SUV. The 2.5 petrol pays 30% SCT, while the 2.0 petrol stays at 20%, so engine choice changes the tax noticeably.
- Models and prices
Toyota Hiace
A van used for business and passenger work. Panel and window vans have a 10-year age limit and their own duty lines in the rate sheet.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
A 1.5-litre commercial wagon and one of the most searched-for used models in Jamaica. With a petrol engine under 2,000 cc it sits in the 20% SCT band.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Jamaica?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montego Bay | Kingston | US$160 | US$200 | 2 |
| Mandeville | Kingston | US$140 | US$180 | 2 |
| Kingston | Kingston | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Spanish Town | Kingston | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Ocho Rios | Kingston | US$130 | US$160 | 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
- How old can an imported car be in Jamaica?
- No more than 6 years old at importation for sedans, station wagons and SUVs seating up to 8. Panel vans, window vans and pickups weighing 1,501–3,000 kg unladen may be up to 10 years old.
- Do I need an import licence to bring a car into Jamaica?
- Yes. The Trade Board issues the import licence through JSWIFT, and it must be issued before the car arrives in Jamaica. The application fee is J$6,325.
- How much is duty on a car from Japan to Jamaica?
- For a petrol car, about 52% of CIF up to 1,000 cc, 66% up to 2,000 cc and 80% above. That is 20% duty, 10–30% SCT, 15% GCT and a 0.5% environmental levy.
- Do hybrid cars pay less tax in Jamaica?
- Yes. The JCA rate sheet lists hybrid motor cars separately with no Special Consumption Tax, so they pay less than a petrol car of the same size. The table shows the SCT line for each fuel.
- Who inspects cars in Japan for Jamaica?
- Autoterminal Japan (ATJ). It carries out the pre-shipment inspection, including sanitisation, and issues the certificate needed for the Trade Board licence.
- How many cars can I import into Jamaica?
- An individual may import up to 2 motor vehicles every 3 years, but not 2 motor cars. Certified dealers may import any number for resale.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to Jamaica?
- Jamaica drives on the left and the calculator covers right-hand-drive cars only. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive, so they fit as they are.
- How long does shipping from Japan to Kingston take?
- Around 24 to 36 days at sea, depending on the vessel and its stops. Customs clearance and the certificate of fitness add time after arrival.
- How do I register an imported car in Jamaica?
- After customs release, the car is examined at an Island Traffic Authority depot for a certificate of fitness. Tax Administration Jamaica then issues the registration certificate.
Sources
- Trade Board Limited — Motor Vehicle Import Permit Procedures — checked 15 October 2026
- Jamaica Customs Agency — Motor Vehicle Rates (Individual Importers) 2025 — checked 15 October 2026
- Jamaica Customs Agency — Duties, Taxes and Fees — checked 15 October 2026
- Jamaica Customs Agency — Motor Vehicle Processing — checked 15 October 2026
- Tax Administration Jamaica — Certificate of Fitness fees — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Jamaica
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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.