How much import duty do I pay on a used Japanese car in Maldives?

A used petrol or diesel passenger car pays a flat 200% import duty on its CIF value under the Maldives National Tariff Schedule 2024 — no additional VAT or excise is added. Used hybrids pay 150%, and electric vehicles pay 0%. This is one of the highest single import duty rates for used cars anywhere in the world.

Is there an age limit to import a used car from Japan to Maldives?

No — the Maldives Customs Service does not impose a maximum vehicle age restriction, so you can import older Japanese cars that would be banned in neighbouring Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.

Does a hybrid car from Japan get a lower duty rate in Maldives?

Yes. A used hybrid pays 150% import duty on CIF, compared to 200% for a used petrol or diesel car. That 50-percentage-point saving on a USD 4,000 CIF car equals USD 2,000 less in duty — often a meaningful reason to choose a Honda Fit Hybrid or Toyota Aqua over a petrol equivalent.

Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to Maldives?

Yes. Maldives drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars are the natural choice and are permitted without restriction.

Which port does my car arrive at in Maldives?

The Port of Malé is the main entry point. Once cleared through customs there, the car can be driven in Malé or transported by ferry to Hulhumalé or other atolls with road networks.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Maldives

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

The Maldives is one of the smallest car markets in the world by geography, but it is an active one — the islands with road networks, Malé and Hulhumalé above all, run almost entirely on right-hand-drive Japanese imports. The country drives on the left, so Japan's stock is a natural fit, and there is no maximum age restriction on imported used vehicles. The Maldives Customs Service does not impose an age cap, which opens the full depth of the Japanese auction market to Maldivian buyers. What does restrict the market is the duty rate: a flat 200% import duty is charged on the CIF value of any used petrol or diesel passenger car — one of the highest single-duty rates in the world. No additional VAT or excise is stacked on top. Understanding that number up front is essential. For a car with a Japan price and shipping cost of USD 5,000 CIF, you pay USD 10,000 in duty before the car clears customs. Used hybrids attract a lower 150% rate, and electric vehicles pay 0% — the only category that enters duty-free. Our licensed team sources the right car at Japanese auction, handles inspection, books shipping to the Port of Malé, and works through customs clearing so your quote is exact and there are no surprises when the car arrives.

Main ports: Port of Malé
Import age rule: No maximum age restriction on imported used vehicles. Maldives Customs Service does not impose an age cap.
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: Used petrol/diesel cars: 200% import duty on CIF (flat rate, all CC bands) per Maldives National Tariff Schedule 2024. New cars: 100%. Used hybrids: 150%. New hybrids: 100%. EVs: 0%. No additional VAT or excise stacked on top. The 200% duty is the entire tax burden on a used petrol car — one of the highest single-duty rates in the world.

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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 Maldives

Choose your car
Tell us your budget and whether you want petrol, hybrid or EV — duty rates differ significantly. We shortlist right-hand-drive Japanese cars that match your needs and confirm real auction-sheet condition before you commit.
We source it at Japan's auctions
With our licensed USS auction membership, our team bids and buys the car you approve, reading the auction sheet and grade so you know exactly what you are getting before any money moves.
Pre-shipment documentation
The Maldives does not mandate a specific pre-export inspection body, but we prepare all customs documentation — export certificate, de-registration, auction sheet — to ensure smooth clearance at Malé.
Ocean shipping to the Port of Malé
The car is loaded onto a vessel and shipped to the Port of Malé. We provide the bill of lading, sailing schedule and tracking so you can follow the shipment from Japan to the Maldives.
Duty and customs clearing at Malé
On arrival our clearing partner handles the Maldives Customs Service formalities and pays the import duty — 200% for used petrol/diesel, 150% for used hybrids, 0% for EVs — calculated on CIF.
Delivery to your island
Once cleared at Malé, the car is delivered to Hulhumalé or, if you are in Addu City or another atoll with roads, we arrange the inter-island ferry transport to get it to you.

Import duties & taxes in Maldives explained

The Maldives National Tariff Schedule 2024 sets a flat import duty of 200% on the CIF value of a used petrol or diesel passenger car — there is no additional VAT or excise stacked on top, so that 200% is the entire customs tax burden. Used hybrid cars attract 150%, and electric vehicles enter at 0% duty. For context, a car with a combined Japan price and freight cost of USD 4,000 CIF generates USD 8,000 in duty alone before clearing customs. New petrol and hybrid cars are rated at 100% and 100% respectively, which makes the used-car duty premium over new significant. Because the exact CIF calculation depends on the car's auction price, freight cost and insurance on your specific shipment, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Maldives

Daihatsu Mira
The Mira's kei-car footprint is ideal for the narrow roads of Malé and Hulhumalé, and a very low auction price in Japan keeps the 200% duty bill as small as possible in absolute terms.
See prices
Honda Fit
The hybrid Fit qualifies for the lower 150% duty rate instead of 200%, making it one of the smartest financial choices for Maldivian buyers willing to spend a little more on the car itself to save on duty.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
A proven family sedan with abundant parts and mechanics who know it — the conservative choice for buyers who want reliability above all else on an island where breakdowns are inconvenient.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Compact, light and cheap to run, the Swift suits the short-distance driving of Maldivian town roads and has one of the lowest auction prices in the Japanese market, limiting the duty bill.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A well-finished hatchback for buyers who want a nicer interior and design without climbing into a larger engine class — keeping the excise calculation low while getting more cabin quality.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Maldives

Hulhumale — Delivery from Malé port to Hulhumalé adds roughly $60 for a sedan.
Addu City — Delivery from Malé port to Addu City (inter-island, southern atoll) adds roughly $400 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

How much import duty do I pay on a used Japanese car in Maldives?: A used petrol or diesel passenger car pays a flat 200% import duty on its CIF value under the Maldives National Tariff Schedule 2024 — no additional VAT or excise is added. Used hybrids pay 150%, and electric vehicles pay 0%. This is one of the highest single import duty rates for used cars anywhere in the world.
Is there an age limit to import a used car from Japan to Maldives?: No — the Maldives Customs Service does not impose a maximum vehicle age restriction, so you can import older Japanese cars that would be banned in neighbouring Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.
Does a hybrid car from Japan get a lower duty rate in Maldives?: Yes. A used hybrid pays 150% import duty on CIF, compared to 200% for a used petrol or diesel car. That 50-percentage-point saving on a USD 4,000 CIF car equals USD 2,000 less in duty — often a meaningful reason to choose a Honda Fit Hybrid or Toyota Aqua over a petrol equivalent.
Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to Maldives?: Yes. Maldives drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars are the natural choice and are permitted without restriction.
Which port does my car arrive at in Maldives?: The Port of Malé is the main entry point. Once cleared through customs there, the car can be driven in Malé or transported by ferry to Hulhumalé or other atolls with road networks.