How do you import a car from Japan to South Korea, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
South Korea charges 8% customs duty on the CIF value, then an individual consumption tax of 5% on CIF plus duty, an education tax equal to 30% of that consumption tax, and 10% VAT on the running total. Safety and emissions certification before registration is the bigger hurdle for used imports.
Car import duty calculator for South Korea
South Korea has no blanket age limit on used car imports, but every vehicle must clear Korea Customs, pass a safety and emissions compliance check, and complete the registration process before it can be driven on public roads. The import tax stack is straightforward: 8% customs duty on the CIF value, then an Individual Consumption Tax of 5%, and 10% VAT — with the exact totals depending on engine size and registration age, which attract their own local acquisition taxes at the registration stage. When you import a car from Japan to South Korea, the car arrives at the Port of Busan, South Korea's main ro-ro terminal.
Can you import a used car from Japan to South Korea?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- No statutory age ban on imported passenger cars, but imported vehicles need Korean safety and emissions certification (KMVSS) before registration, which is onerous and costly for one-off used imports. Port: Busan.
- Inspection
- Korean safety & emissions certification (KMVSS type approval) and inspection required before registration.
- Permits
- Import declaration to Korea Customs Service; emissions/safety certification.
- Special rules
- If a personally imported car is sold within one year of arrival, a 5% consumption tax on CIF and VAT adjustment can apply.
- Entry ports
- Busan
How do you import a car from Japan to South Korea, step by step?
Check the import rules
There is no statutory age ban on imported passenger cars. Every imported vehicle needs Korean safety and emissions certification (KMVSS) before registration, which is costly for a one-off used import.
Obtain the import permit
Import declaration to Korea Customs Service; emissions/safety certification.
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 South Korea.
Complete the required inspection
Required for South Korea: Korean safety & emissions certification (KMVSS type approval) and inspection required before registration.
Ship to Busan
Cars from Japan arrive at Busan. Sea transit is about 3–8 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 Customs Duty, Individual Consumption Tax, Education Tax and VAT; 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 South Korea's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does South Korea charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty | 8% | CIF value |
| Individual (Special) Consumption Tax | 5% | CIF + import duty |
| Education Tax | 1.5% | CIF + import duty |
| VAT | 10% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs Duty
Rate: 8%. Charged on: CIF value.
Individual (Special) Consumption Tax
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Education Tax
Rate: 1.5%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
VAT
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Korea Customs applies an 8% import duty on the CIF value of passenger cars where no preferential rate is in force. On top of that you pay an Individual Consumption Tax of approximately 5% and VAT at 10%, both calculated on the customs-cleared value. At the registration stage, local acquisition taxes also apply and vary by engine displacement. The combined tax burden depends on your specific car.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to South Korea?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | RoRo or container | 3–8 | US$1,000 |
How much is inland delivery to cities in South Korea?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incheon | Busan | US$260 | US$320 | 2 |
| Seoul | Busan | US$260 | US$320 | 2 |
| Busan | Busan | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Daegu | Busan | US$150 | US$190 | 2 |
| Daejeon | Busan | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Gwangju | Busan | US$200 | US$250 | 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 South Korea?
- There is no blanket statutory age ban for private imports, but the car must pass Korea's safety and emissions compliance checks and complete registration.
- How much is the import duty on a Japanese car in South Korea?
- Korea Customs applies approximately 8% import duty on the CIF value for passenger cars. On top of that you pay an Individual Consumption Tax of about 5% and 10% VAT. Local acquisition taxes also apply at registration and vary by engine size.
- Which port does the car arrive at in South Korea?
- Most used Japanese car imports enter through the Port of Busan, South Korea's main ro-ro terminal.
Car import duty calculator for South Korea
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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.