Is Mongolia landlocked — how does the car actually get there?

Yes, Mongolia has no coastline. Cars leave Japan by ocean freight and arrive at Tianjin port in China, then travel overland by truck or rail across the Chinese border into Mongolia. Our team manages the entire chain — ocean booking, Chinese transit customs, border crossing and in-country delivery.

How does Mongolia's excise duty work?

Mongolia charges a flat USD excise that depends on your car's engine displacement and age. Newer cars with small engines pay as little as around USD 500; older or large-engined vehicles can face USD 13,000 or more. Choosing the right age and engine size before sourcing is the single biggest way to control your landed cost — our team advises on this before we source anything.

Does Mongolia allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?

Yes — right-hand drive is the norm in Mongolia and Japan's right-hand-drive stock is a natural fit. Most Japanese domestic-market vehicles are eligible, subject to the radiation check at the border.

What is the radiation check at the Mongolian border?

All vehicles originating from Japan must pass a radiation check when entering Mongolia — a standard procedure since 2011. It is routine for cars sourced from areas unaffected by the Fukushima event and adds only a short delay at the border crossing. Our team ensures the paperwork is in order before the car arrives at the border.

How long does it take to import a car from Japan to Mongolia?

The ocean leg from Japan to Tianjin takes approximately two to three weeks, and overland transit from Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar adds another week or two depending on the season and customs queue. Our team gives you a realistic timeline once the car is confirmed.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Mongolia

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Mongolia is one of the most committed used-Japanese-car markets in Asia — right-hand drive is required, the country has no categorical age ban, and Japanese makes dominate the roads. The cost picture, however, is more complex than a simple percentage rate. Mongolia applies a 5% customs duty on the invoice value and 10% VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total, but the largest and most variable charge is a flat-rate USD excise that depends on engine displacement and vehicle age: newer, smaller-engined cars attract as little as around USD 500 in excise, while older vehicles with large engines can face USD 13,000 or more in excise alone — which means age and engine size are the two numbers to nail down before sourcing. Every Japan-origin vehicle also undergoes a mandatory radiation check at the Mongolian border, a legacy of Fukushima-era caution that is now routine. Because Mongolia is landlocked, there is no direct sea route. Cars leave Japan by ocean freight and transit through Tianjin port in China, then travel overland into Mongolia. This transit adds weeks and meaningful inland freight cost compared with a coastal destination, but our licensed team manages the full chain — Japan auction, pre-shipment inspection, ocean freight to Tianjin, Chinese transit documentation, border crossing and delivery to Ulaanbaatar or beyond. We quote the transit cost and the excise amount upfront so you know the total landed cost before committing.

Main ports: Ulaanbaatar (via Tianjin, China)
Import age rule: No maximum age limit. However, the flat USD excise increases steeply for vehicles 10+ years old and/or large engine size — acting as a significant financial disincentive. No age-based categorical ban.
Steering: RHD
Duties & taxes: Customs duty 5% of invoice value + VAT 10% on (CIF + duty) + flat USD excise by engine CC and vehicle age (USD 500 for small/new up to USD 13,000 for large/old). Landlocked via Tianjin transit adds significant cost.

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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 Mongolia

Choose the right car for Mongolia's excise structure
Mongolia's flat excise rises sharply with vehicle age and engine size, so we consult on which combination gives you the best value. Right-hand drive is required; there is no age ban but older or larger cars face much steeper excise charges.
We source it from Japan's auctions
Our licensed USS auction access lets us find the car, read its auction sheet and grade, and verify condition before you commit. We confirm the year and engine CC that will be assessed for Mongolian excise.
Pre-shipment inspection and radiation clearance prep
We arrange a condition inspection in Japan and prepare the export and transit documentation needed for the China overland leg. Mongolia requires a radiation check at the border — we ensure the paperwork is in order so the crossing is routine.
Ocean freight to Tianjin, China
The car is shipped from Japan to Xingang (Tianjin) port in China — the standard transit hub for Mongolia-bound vehicles. We provide the sailing schedule and vessel tracking.
Overland transit from Tianjin to Mongolia
From Tianjin the car moves overland by truck or rail through the Chinese border crossing into Mongolia. Our team manages Chinese transit customs and the Mongolian border entry, including the radiation check.
Duty, excise and VAT, then delivery
At the Mongolian border our team processes customs duty (5%), the flat-rate USD excise and 10% VAT, then delivers the cleared car to Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet, Choibalsan or wherever you are.

Import duties & taxes in Mongolia explained

Mongolia's import costs have three components. First, a 5% customs duty on the invoice value. Second, a flat-rate USD excise that varies by engine displacement and vehicle age — vehicles under 3 years old with a small engine pay around USD 500 in excise, while older, large-engine cars can face USD 13,000 or more; this is the single biggest variable in your landed cost. Third, 10% VAT calculated on CIF plus duty. On top of that, the landlocked transit through Tianjin adds meaningful overland freight to the overall cost. Because the excise table has multiple age and displacement bands, the precise figures shift with your specific car — our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Mongolia

Toyota Corolla Axio
The most practical choice for Mongolia's excise structure: a right-hand-drive compact sedan with a small, proven engine that keeps the flat-rate excise at its lower end and runs well on Mongolian roads.
See prices
Honda Fit
Compact, fuel-efficient and easy to service — the Fit's petrol and hybrid variants both have modest engine sizes that avoid the steeper excise bands, making them cost-effective to import.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A well-finished small hatchback with a fuel-efficient engine; its compact displacement keeps excise costs low and its reliability suits Mongolia's long distances between service centres.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical with a small engine that sits in the lowest excise bands — a sensible budget import for buyers in Ulaanbaatar or smaller cities.
See prices
Toyota Probox
A rugged right-hand-drive wagon built for commercial durability; popular with traders and fleet buyers who need cargo space and reliability across Mongolia's varied road conditions.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar — Overland from Tianjin (China) to Ulaanbaatar adds roughly $1,100 for a sedan — landlocked transit is the main freight cost.
Choibalsan — Overland from Tianjin to Choibalsan adds roughly $930 for a sedan, via an easterly transit route.
Darkhan — Delivery from Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan adds roughly $80 for a sedan once the car has cleared the border.
Erdenet — Delivery from Ulaanbaatar to Erdenet adds roughly $120 for a sedan once the car has cleared the border.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mongolia landlocked — how does the car actually get there?: Yes, Mongolia has no coastline. Cars leave Japan by ocean freight and arrive at Tianjin port in China, then travel overland by truck or rail across the Chinese border into Mongolia. Our team manages the entire chain — ocean booking, Chinese transit customs, border crossing and in-country delivery.
How does Mongolia's excise duty work?: Mongolia charges a flat USD excise that depends on your car's engine displacement and age. Newer cars with small engines pay as little as around USD 500; older or large-engined vehicles can face USD 13,000 or more. Choosing the right age and engine size before sourcing is the single biggest way to control your landed cost — our team advises on this before we source anything.
Does Mongolia allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?: Yes — right-hand drive is the norm in Mongolia and Japan's right-hand-drive stock is a natural fit. Most Japanese domestic-market vehicles are eligible, subject to the radiation check at the border.
What is the radiation check at the Mongolian border?: All vehicles originating from Japan must pass a radiation check when entering Mongolia — a standard procedure since 2011. It is routine for cars sourced from areas unaffected by the Fukushima event and adds only a short delay at the border crossing. Our team ensures the paperwork is in order before the car arrives at the border.
How long does it take to import a car from Japan to Mongolia?: The ocean leg from Japan to Tianjin takes approximately two to three weeks, and overland transit from Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar adds another week or two depending on the season and customs queue. Our team gives you a realistic timeline once the car is confirmed.