How do you import a car from Japan to Kuwait, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Just a 5% GCC customs duty on CIF — Kuwait has no VAT. One of the lightest tax regimes, but the real gates are the strict 5-year age cap and LHD-only registration (RHD banned).
Car import duty calculator for Kuwait
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Kuwait we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
Kuwait is a prosperous GCC state with a well-established appetite for large, premium Japanese vehicles — Toyota Land Cruisers and Nissan Patrols are a common sight on Kuwait City's wide boulevards, and the Toyota brand holds deep trust in the local market. Kuwait is a left-hand-drive country operating within the GCC customs framework, which means Japan's right-hand-drive domestic stock is not directly registrable.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Kuwait?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Passenger cars must be ≤5 years old (import of cars/light trucks under 5 tons older than 5 years is prohibited under Law No. 147 of 2000). Light trucks up to ~10 years in some categories. Kuwait drives on the right — LHD only.
- Inspection
- Traffic Department examination and registration on arrival; GCC-spec expected.
- Permits
- New 2025 traffic law limits expatriates to a small number of registered vehicles; used import runs largely through licensed dealer channels.
- Restrictions
- Right-hand-drive and rebuilt/salvage vehicles are prohibited — Kuwait is left-hand-drive.
- Special rules
- Kuwait has NOT implemented VAT (still under GCC framework discussion), so the only federal tax is the 5% GCC customs duty.
- Entry ports
- Shuwaikh Port
How do you import a car from Japan to Kuwait, step by step?
Check the import rules
Passenger cars must be ≤5 years old (import of cars/light trucks under 5 tons older than 5 years is prohibited under Law No. 147 of 2000). Light trucks up to ~10 years in some categories. Kuwait drives on the right — LHD only. Kuwait requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Obtain the import permit
New 2025 traffic law limits expatriates to a small number of registered vehicles; used import runs largely through licensed dealer channels.
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 Kuwait.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Kuwait: Traffic Department examination and registration on arrival; GCC-spec expected.
Ship to Shuwaikh Port
Cars from Japan arrive at Shuwaikh Port. Sea transit is about 24–34 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 GCC Customs Duty; 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 Kuwait's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Kuwait charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| GCC Customs Duty | 5% | CIF value |
GCC Customs Duty
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF value.
Kuwait is a member of the GCC customs union and applies the common 5% import duty on the CIF value of passenger vehicles. Because the precise duty treatment and associated fees depend on your car's type, engine and CIF value — and as Kuwait's regulations can be updated.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Kuwait?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuwaikh Port | RoRo or container | 24–34 | US$1,100 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Kuwait?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Kuwait?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait City | Shuwaikh Port | US$90 | US$120 | 1 |
| Hawalli | Shuwaikh Port | US$100 | US$130 | 1 |
| Al Ahmadi | Shuwaikh Port | US$140 | US$180 | 1 |
| Al Jahra | Shuwaikh Port | US$130 | US$170 | 1 |
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
- Does Kuwait allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?
- Kuwait drives on the right side of the road and follows Gulf LHD conventions, meaning right-hand-drive cars cannot be registered for normal road use.
- What import duty applies to cars in Kuwait?
- Kuwait applies the GCC 5% customs duty on the CIF value of imported vehicles. Kuwait currently has no national VAT, though port fees and registration charges apply.
- Which Japanese models are most popular in Kuwait?
- Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol are the dominant choices for prestige and family use, followed by Toyota Prado and Hilux for those prioritising capability at a more accessible price. Honda Fit is popular for urban driving at a budget price point.
Car import duty calculator for Kuwait
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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.