How do you import a car from Japan to Nepal, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Nepal generally does not allow imports of used goods, and from 2025 vehicles must meet the Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard (Euro 6 for cars). Where an import is allowed, petrol cars pay 80% customs duty, 60–100% excise by engine size on CIF plus duty, 13% VAT and a fixed road construction fee, which together exceed 200% of CIF.
Car import duty calculator for Nepal
Nepal drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars fit the steering rule, but the import rules are the main obstacle. Nepal generally prohibits imports of used goods. Since the Finance Act 2078/79 only manufacturers and authorised dealers may import vehicles, and cars imported outside that rule can be confiscated. In August 2025 Nepal Rastra Bank told banks not to finance imports of reconditioned, used or any vehicles that fall outside the Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard, 2025, which requires Euro 6 for four-wheelers from 23 June 2025. In practice, a private buyer cannot simply buy a used car at a Japanese auction and register it in Nepal. Check with the Department of Customs and an authorised importer before spending money. Nepal is landlocked. Cars travel by sea to Kolkata in India and then by road to the Birgunj border crossing under the India–Nepal transit arrangements. The tax burden is among the highest in the world, and rates are revised every year in the May/June budget.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Nepal?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Used passenger cars generally ≤5 years from manufacture (some sources cite up to 10 — confirm the current Department of Transport Management rule). Nepal drives on the left, so Japanese RHD stock fits.
- Permits
- Landlocked — cleared via Kolkata/Haldia (India) under the India–Nepal transit treaty, then road/rail to the Birgunj dry port. A local customs agent handles the transit bond.
- Restrictions
- Left-hand-drive not standard. Import taxes are among the highest in the world and are revised every fiscal year at the May/June budget — figures are point-in-time.
- Special rules
- Policy strongly favours EVs (customs ~10%, low excise). Petrol/diesel cars carry the full stacked burden below.
- Entry ports
- Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal
How do you import a car from Japan to Nepal, step by step?
Confirm the car may be imported at all
Used vehicle imports are generally barred, and vehicles must meet the Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard, 2025. Confirm eligibility with the Department of Customs before buying.
Use an authorised importer
Under the Finance Act 2078/79 only manufacturers and authorised dealers may import vehicles. Banks will not open payment for vehicles that fail the emission standard.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued, with an English translation for customs.
Ship to Kolkata
The car is shipped to Kolkata in India and moved in transit, under bond, by road to the Nepal border.
Clear Nepal customs at Birgunj
A customs agent lodges the declaration with the Department of Customs. Customs duty, excise, VAT and the road construction fee are assessed.
Register with the Department of Transport Management
After customs release, the Department of Transport Management registers the vehicle and issues number plates.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate with English translation
- Bill of lading
- Bank payment documents (banks will not open payment for non-compliant vehicles)
- Indian transit documents for the Kolkata–Birgunj leg
- Nepal customs declaration lodged by a customs agent
- Department of Transport Management registration application
What import duties and taxes does Nepal charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty | 80% | CIF value |
| Excise Duty (by engine cc) | 60%–100% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| VAT | 13% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Road Construction / infrastructure fee (by cc) | NPR 200,000–NPR 500,000 by engine size | Engine size (fixed amount) |
Customs Duty
Rate: 80%. Charged on: CIF value.
Excise Duty (by engine cc)
Rate: 60% up to 1,000 cc; 70% up to 1,500 cc; 80% up to 2,000 cc; 90% up to 2,500 cc; 100% above 2,500 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
VAT
Rate: 13%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Road Construction / infrastructure fee (by cc)
Rate: NPR 200,000 up to 1,000 cc; NPR 250,000 up to 1,500 cc; NPR 300,000 up to 2,000 cc; NPR 500,000 up to 2,500 cc; NPR 500,000 above 2,500 cc. Charged on: Engine size (fixed amount).
Where a car may be imported, customs duty is 80% of CIF for petrol passenger cars. Excise is charged on CIF plus customs duty by engine size: 60% up to 1,000 cc, 70% up to 1,500 cc, 80% up to 2,000 cc, 90% up to 2,500 cc and 100% above that. VAT of 13% is charged on CIF plus customs duty plus excise. A fixed road construction fee is added by engine size, from NPR 200,000 up to 1,000 cc to NPR 500,000 above 2,000 cc. Taken together, a 1,500 cc petrol car pays well over 200% of its CIF value before the road fee. Electric vehicles pay much lower customs and excise rates. All rates are set in the annual budget and change each fiscal year, so check the current Finance Act before relying on them.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Nepal?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | RoRo or container | 28–48 | US$1,350 |
Cars for Nepal are landed at Kolkata (India), then road transit to the Birgunj border and continue overland.
Nepal is landlocked, so cars move from Kolkata to Birgunj under India–Nepal transit arrangements with a transit bond.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Nepal?
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
A 1.2-litre hatchback in the 1,001–1,500 cc band, which pays 70% excise.
- Models and prices
Toyota Yaris
Offered with 1.0 and 1.5-litre engines, which fall in the 60% and 70% excise bands.
- Models and prices
Toyota Hilux
A pickup used for hill roads and business. Its 2.4 and 2.8-litre diesel engines fall in the 90% and 100% excise bands.
- Models and prices
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
A large SUV in the top excise band. Its tax bill shows how steeply Nepal taxes big engines.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Nepal?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birgunj | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,150 | US$1,450 | 4 |
| Kathmandu | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,500 | US$1,850 | 6 |
| Lalitpur | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,520 | US$1,870 | 6 |
| Pokhara | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,700 | US$2,050 | 7 |
| Biratnagar | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,250 | US$1,550 | 4 |
| Bharatpur | Kolkata (transit) + road to Nepal | US$1,450 | US$1,800 | 5 |
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 used car from Japan to Nepal?
- Generally no. Nepal prohibits most used-goods imports, only manufacturers and authorised dealers may import vehicles, and banks will not finance vehicles that fail the Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard, 2025.
- What emission standard do imported cars need in Nepal?
- Euro 6 for four-wheelers, under the Nepal Vehicle Emission Standard, 2025, in force from 23 June 2025. Two-wheelers need Euro 5.
- How much is customs duty on a car in Nepal?
- 80% of CIF for petrol passenger cars. Excise of 60–100% by engine size, 13% VAT and a road construction fee come on top.
- How is excise duty on cars calculated in Nepal?
- On CIF plus customs duty, by engine size: 60% up to 1,000 cc, 70% up to 1,500 cc, 80% up to 2,000 cc, 90% up to 2,500 cc and 100% above.
- Why are car taxes in Nepal so high?
- Because the taxes stack. Excise is charged on CIF plus 80% duty, then 13% VAT on the total, then a fixed road fee. A typical petrol car pays more than double its CIF value.
- How do cars from Japan reach Nepal?
- By sea to Kolkata in India, then by road in transit to the Birgunj border. Nepal has no sea port.
- Are electric cars cheaper to import to Nepal?
- Yes. Electric vehicles pay much lower customs and excise rates than petrol cars. Rates are set in each annual budget.
- Who registers an imported car in Nepal?
- The Department of Transport Management, after customs has released the vehicle.
Sources
- Department of Customs, Nepal — checked 15 October 2026
- Department of Transport Management, Nepal — checked 15 October 2026
- US International Trade Administration — Nepal trade barriers — checked 15 October 2026
- MeroAuto — NRB revises vehicle import standards (August 2025) — checked 15 October 2026
- Nepal Drives — Authorised dealership compulsory for vehicle imports — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Nepal
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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.