How do you import a car from Japan to Malta, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Malta charges 0% import duty on a Japan-origin car with proof of origin (10% without it), 18% VAT on CIF plus duty, and a one-off registration tax that Transport Malta sets from CO2, length and value. Estimated by engine size, the registration tax is 40–125% of CIF, so total tax is roughly 58–143% of CIF. There is no age limit, and the car must be registered within 30 days of arrival.
Worked example: a 2016 Honda Fit 1.3 L costs about 8,640 to 9,230 EUR (US$9,670 to US$10,300) delivered to Valletta, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Malta
Malta drives on the left, and right-hand-drive Japanese cars can be registered without conversion. There is no maximum age for a used import, but age still matters: for used passenger cars from outside the EU that are more than 5 years old from manufacture, Transport Malta applies a minimum registration tax, and older emission standards raise the rate. The biggest cost is the registration tax, not customs. Transport Malta calculates it from the car's CO2 emissions, its length and a registration value assigned by its Technical Unit after inspection. A non-EU car needs a single vehicle approval certificate that states its CO2 figure, so a Japanese car without one cannot be assessed or registered. Customs duty and VAT are paid at the port through a customs entry. The whole process, including the Transport Malta inspection and registration, must be completed within 30 days of the car arriving in Malta; after that a daily fine applies under the Motor Vehicles Registration and Licensing Act (Cap. 368).
Can you import a used car from Japan to Malta?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Malta drives on the LEFT — RHD Japanese stock fits and is genuinely registrable, with NO used-import age limit (all ages may be registered). A car built to a lower Euro standard just pays a higher registration-tax rate.
- Inspection
- Transport Malta (CFR) registration-value assessment + roadworthiness (VRT) test.
- Special rules
- Register within 30 days of arrival; the registration value is assigned from Transport Malta's used-vehicle valuation database.
- Entry ports
- Valletta
How do you import a car from Japan to Malta, step by step?
Check the car can be assessed
Confirm the CO2 figure, length and Euro standard before buying, because these drive the registration tax. Check whether the car will need a VRT roadworthiness certificate (cars over 4 years old, or over 1 year with more than 160,000 km).
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. Transport Malta needs the original registration document with an official English translation.
Get a mileage certificate and vehicle approval
Transport Malta asks for a JEVIC mileage certificate for passenger cars and light goods vehicles, and an SVA (single vehicle approval) certificate confirming the car can be registered in the EU and stating its CO2 emissions.
Ship to Valletta
Cars from Japan arrive at the Port of Valletta. The shipping line issues the bill of lading and a notice of arrival, which starts the 30-day registration period.
Clear customs and pay duty and VAT
A customs agent lodges the entry. Duty is 0% with Japan-origin proof and 10% without it; VAT of 18% is charged on CIF plus duty. The customs entry must show "Goods Released" and the chassis number.
Inspection by the Transport Malta Technical Unit
Book the inspection. The Technical Unit checks the car, assigns its registration value and stamps form VEH 005. A VRT test certificate is added where the car's age or mileage requires it.
Register and license with Transport Malta
Submit forms VEH 001 and VEH 002 with the documents and pay the registration tax, a €15 administration fee, a €55 inspection fee, number plates and the road licence. All of this must be done within 30 days of arrival.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice showing the chassis number
- Original Japanese registration or export certificate with an official English translation
- Bill of lading and notice of arrival naming the vehicle
- JEVIC mileage certificate (passenger cars and light goods vehicles)
- SVA (single vehicle approval) certificate stating CO2 emissions
- Customs entry with status "Goods Released" showing duty and VAT paid
- VRT roadworthiness certificate where required by age or mileage
- Original insurance certificate in the owner's name
- Transport Malta forms VEH 001, VEH 002 and VEH 005
What import duties and taxes does Malta charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (EU–Japan EPA) | 0% | CIF value |
| VAT (18%) | 18% | CIF + import duty |
| Registration tax (estimated from engine size) | 40%–125% by engine size | CIF value |
Import duty (EU–Japan EPA)
Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (18%)
Rate: 18%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Registration tax (estimated from engine size)
Rate: 40% up to 1,500 cc; 70% up to 2,500 cc; 125% above 2,500 cc. Charged on: CIF value.
Three charges apply. Import duty is 0% of CIF for a car of Japanese origin with valid proof of origin under the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement; without it the standard 10% EU duty on passenger cars applies. VAT of 18% is charged on CIF plus duty. The registration tax is set by Transport Malta under Cap. 368: it combines a CO2 component and a length component, each multiplied by the registration value its Technical Unit assigns, and a minimum tax applies to used passenger cars from outside the EU that are more than 5 years old. Because the real formula needs the car's CO2 figure and length, the duty table estimates it by engine size: 40% of CIF up to 1,500 cc, 70% from 1,501 to 2,500 cc and 125% above 2,500 cc. A car with a low CO2 figure and a Euro 6 rating usually pays less than this estimate; one with no declared CO2 pays more.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Malta?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Valletta | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Honda Fit 1.3 L | US$4,140 | US$5,610 | US$3,25058% of CIF | EUR 8,640 – 9,230US$9,670 – US$10,300 |
| 2017 Toyota Aqua 1.5 L hybrid | US$8,740 | US$10,200 | US$5,92058% of CIF | EUR 15,100 – 15,700US$16,900 – US$17,600 |
| 2016 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 L | US$9,210 | US$11,000 | US$9,71088% of CIF | EUR 19,300 – 19,900US$21,500 – US$22,300 |
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 Valletta. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valletta | RoRo or container | 26–33 | US$1,450 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Malta?
- Models and prices
Toyota Aqua
A 1.5-litre hybrid with low CO2 emissions, which keeps the CO2 part of the registration tax down. It is short, which also helps the length component.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact hatchback sold in petrol and hybrid form. Its short length and small engine suit narrow streets and keep the registration tax low.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A 1.2-litre petrol hatchback with low running costs. It sits in the lowest engine band of the registration tax estimate.
- Models and prices
Toyota Vitz
A small petrol hatchback with a 1.0 or 1.3-litre engine. It is one of the cheapest cars at auction, so the value-based tax stays modest.
- Models and prices
Nissan X-Trail
A mid-size SUV with a 2.0-litre petrol or hybrid engine. Its greater length and engine size put it in a higher registration tax band than a small car.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Malta?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valletta | Valletta | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Birkirkara | Valletta | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Sliema | Valletta | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Marsaxlokk | Valletta | US$150 | US$190 | 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
- Is there an age limit for importing a used car to Malta?
- No. Malta has no maximum age for used imports. Used passenger cars from outside the EU that are more than 5 years old pay at least the minimum registration tax set by Transport Malta.
- How much is import duty on a car from Japan to Malta?
- 0% if the car is of Japanese origin and has valid proof of origin under the EU–Japan agreement. Without proof of origin, the standard 10% EU duty applies. VAT of 18% is charged on top.
- How is registration tax calculated in Malta?
- From the car's CO2 emissions, its length and the registration value set by the Transport Malta Technical Unit. The duty table estimates it at 40–125% of CIF by engine size because the exact CO2 and length are needed for the real figure.
- Can I register a right-hand-drive car in Malta?
- Yes. Malta drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars are registered without any steering conversion.
- How long do I have to register an imported car in Malta?
- 30 days from the date the car arrives. Inspection and registration must both be completed in that time, or a €30 daily fine can apply under Cap. 368.
- Does a Japanese car need an SVA certificate in Malta?
- Yes. Transport Malta requires an SVA (single vehicle approval) certificate for cars from outside the EU, confirming the car can be registered in the EU and stating its CO2 emissions.
- Do I need a VRT test for an imported car in Malta?
- Yes, if the car is over 4 years old, or over 1 year old with more than 160,000 km. The VRT is Malta's roadworthiness test.
- Do hybrid cars pay less registration tax in Malta?
- Usually. A hybrid with a low CO2 figure pays less on the CO2 component. Electric cars and plug-in hybrids with more than 50 km electric range are exempt from the minimum tax for older non-EU cars.
- What mileage proof does Transport Malta accept for a Japanese car?
- A JEVIC mileage certificate. Transport Malta lists it as a required document for passenger cars and light goods vehicles imported from outside the EU.
Sources
- Transport Malta — Registering a vehicle: documents required — checked 15 October 2026
- Transport Malta — Registering and licensing a motor vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Malta
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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.