How do you import a car from Japan to Morocco, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Morocco does not allow right-hand-drive cars to be imported or registered, and standard imports must be under 5 years old, so ordinary Japanese auction cars do not qualify. For an eligible left-hand-drive car, duty is 17.5% of CIF plus a 0.25% parafiscal tax and 20% VAT, which together add about 41% to CIF.
Car import duty calculator for Morocco
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive and steering conversion is not offered. Morocco does not allow right-hand-drive cars to be imported or registered, so only the rare left-hand-drive cars under 5 years old that appear at Japanese auctions could qualify.
Morocco drives on the right, and right-hand-drive vehicles are among the categories that cannot be imported. Japanese auction cars are almost all right-hand drive and steering conversion is not offered, so they are not a route into Morocco. Permanent imports are generally limited to cars under 5 years old from manufacture. Retired Moroccans resident abroad have concessions with a longer age limit, and diplomats are exempt; these schemes are not open to ordinary buyers. For a car that does qualify, the customs administration (ADII) assesses import duty, a parafiscal import tax and VAT, and publishes an online simulator, MCV, to estimate them. Before registration, the national road safety agency NARSA requires a favourable technical inspection and, for a car without Moroccan type approval, individual approval (réception à titre isolé). The few left-hand-drive cars that appear at Japanese auctions are mostly European and American models, and many are older than the 5-year limit.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Morocco?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Permanent import generally limited to vehicles under 5 years old from manufacture. Retired Moroccans Resident Abroad (MREs) may import up to 10 years old with reductions; diplomats are exempt from the age limit. Port: Casablanca.
- Inspection
- Vehicle conformity / technical inspection (visite technique) and homologation required for registration.
- Permits
- Customs declaration; eligibility-based concessions for MREs/returnees.
- Restrictions
- Morocco is strictly left-hand-drive: right-hand-drive vehicles cannot be registered. Since most Japanese used cars are RHD, used Japanese RHD imports are effectively impossible here.
- Special rules
- MRE/returnee diaspora schemes (e.g. Operation Marhaba) give age extensions and tax reductions; not available to ordinary commercial buyers.
- Entry ports
- Casablanca / Tanger Med
How do you import a car from Japan to Morocco, step by step?
Check the steering rule
Right-hand-drive cars cannot be imported or registered in Morocco. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive, and steering conversion is not offered.
Check the age
Standard permanent imports must be under 5 years old from manufacture. Retired Moroccans resident abroad and diplomats have separate rules.
Source an eligible car
Only left-hand-drive cars within the age limit qualify. Japanese auctions offer few such cars.
Ship to Casablanca or Tanger Med
Cars arrive at Casablanca or Tanger Med. The shipping line issues the bill of lading.
Technical inspection and identification
NARSA requires a favourable inspection at an approved technical inspection centre, followed by identification of the vehicle by its provincial or prefectural service.
Clear customs with ADII
Submit ID, the purchase invoice and the vehicle documents at the customs office. ADII verifies them, calculates the duty and taxes and issues the customs clearance certificate after payment.
Register with NARSA
With the customs certificate, the foreign registration certificate and the inspection report, NARSA issues the Moroccan registration certificate (carte grise).
Documents checklist
- National identity card or residence card
- Original purchase invoice
- Foreign registration certificate (or an attestation from the country of origin) and a sale contract
- Bill of lading
- Technical inspection report from an approved centre
- ADII customs clearance certificate
- NARSA registration application
What import duties and taxes does Morocco charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty | 17.5% | CIF value |
| Parafiscal Import Tax | 0.25% | CIF value |
| VAT (TVA) | 20% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs Duty
Rate: 17.5%. Charged on: CIF value.
Parafiscal Import Tax
Rate: 0.25%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT (TVA)
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Import duty is shown in the table at 17.5% of the CIF value; the actual rate varies by origin, and cars from countries with a free trade agreement with Morocco, such as the EU, may pay less. A parafiscal import tax of 0.25% of CIF is added. VAT (TVA) of 20% is then charged on CIF plus duty plus the parafiscal tax, about 23.6% of CIF. Together the three lines add about 41% to the CIF value. For a used car the taxable value takes account of make, year, engine size and depreciation rather than the invoice alone, and the ADII MCV simulator estimates the result. These rates apply only to cars that meet the steering and age rules.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Morocco?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca / Tanger Med | RoRo or container | 32–45 | US$1,700 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Morocco?
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Sold new in Japan in left-hand-drive form, and left-hand-drive examples appear at Japanese auctions. Only cars under 5 years old meet the Moroccan age rule.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes sold new in Japan are left-hand drive. Supply of recent examples is small, so choice is narrow.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Morocco?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | casablanca | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Rabat | casablanca | US$150 | US$190 | 2 |
| Marrakesh | casablanca | US$210 | US$260 | 2 |
| Fes | casablanca | US$230 | US$290 | 2 |
| Tangier | casablanca | US$250 | US$310 | 2 |
| Agadir | casablanca | US$310 | US$390 | 3 |
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
- Can I import a right-hand-drive car into Morocco?
- No. Right-hand-drive vehicles are among the categories that cannot be imported into Morocco, and they cannot be registered.
- Can I import a used car from Japan to Morocco?
- Only a left-hand-drive car under 5 years old. Almost all Japanese auction cars are right-hand drive, so ordinary Japanese stock does not qualify.
- What is the age limit for importing a car into Morocco?
- Under 5 years from manufacture for a standard permanent import. Retired Moroccans resident abroad have a longer limit, and diplomats are exempt.
- How much is import duty on a car in Morocco?
- About 17.5% of CIF, plus a 0.25% parafiscal tax and 20% VAT. Together they add roughly 41% to the CIF value; free trade agreements can lower the duty.
- How can I estimate customs duties for a car in Morocco?
- Use the MCV simulator on douane.gov.ma, run by the customs administration (ADII), which calculates the duties and taxes for clearing a passenger car.
- What inspection does an imported car need in Morocco?
- A favourable technical inspection at an approved centre, then identification by NARSA. Cars without Moroccan type approval also need individual approval (réception à titre isolé).
- Are left-hand-drive cars sold at Japanese auctions?
- A small number, mostly European and American models sold new in Japan in left-hand-drive form. Many are older than the Moroccan 5-year limit.
- Who registers an imported car in Morocco?
- NARSA, the national road safety agency. It issues the registration certificate once customs clearance is complete and the inspection report is on file.
Sources
- Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects — Dédouanement d'un véhicule — checked 15 October 2026
- NARSA — Homologation des véhicules — checked 15 October 2026
- AutoActu.ma — Comment importer des voitures au Maroc — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Morocco
Loading calculator…
Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.