How do you import a car from Japan to Oman, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
5% GCC customs duty on CIF, then 5% VAT on (CIF + duty) — combined effective burden about 10.25% of CIF. LHD only (RHD barred); vehicles generally ≤7 years and GCC-spec.
Car import duty calculator for Oman
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Oman we can only source the limited left-hand-drive cars that come up at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American imports, so choice is narrow and prices are higher than for ordinary Japanese stock.
Oman is a GCC member state with a long tradition of Japanese vehicle ownership — Toyota Land Cruisers and Hilux pickups are a fixture on Omani roads from Muscat to Salalah. As a left-hand-drive country, Oman follows Gulf steering conventions, meaning Japan's right-hand-drive domestic stock is not directly registrable for normal use. Oman sits within the GCC customs framework.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Oman?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Left-hand-drive only, generally ≤7 years old and GCC-spec compliant. Vehicles older than 10 years face extra process and charges. Oman drives on the right.
- Inspection
- Royal Oman Police (ROP) technical inspection before registration; GCC-spec emissions/safety compliance required.
- Restrictions
- RHD vehicles are barred — only LHD permitted. Salvage/rebuilt titles problematic.
- Special rules
- GCC Common Customs Law (5% CET). Oman introduced VAT at 5% in April 2021.
- Entry ports
- Sohar Port
How do you import a car from Japan to Oman, step by step?
Check the import rules
Left-hand-drive only, generally ≤7 years old and GCC-spec compliant. Vehicles older than 10 years face extra process and charges. Oman drives on the right. Oman requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase in Japan the car's registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. An English translation of it is needed for customs and registration in Oman.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Oman: Royal Oman Police (ROP) technical inspection before registration; GCC-spec emissions/safety compliance required.
Ship to Sohar Port
Cars from Japan arrive at Sohar Port. Sea transit is about 18–26 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.
Lodge the customs entry and pay the taxes
A licensed clearing agent lodges the import declaration with the invoice, bill of lading and export certificate. Customs assesses GCC Customs Duty and VAT; the rates are in the duty table on this page.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Oman's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Oman charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| GCC Customs Duty | 5% | CIF value |
| VAT | 5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
GCC Customs Duty
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Oman is a member of the GCC customs union, which applies a baseline 5% customs duty on the CIF value of imported vehicles, similar to other Gulf states. Oman also levies VAT; the applicable VAT rate and any vehicle-category-specific surcharges depend on your car's type, engine and declared CIF value.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Oman?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sohar Port | RoRo or container | 18–26 | US$950 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Oman?
- Models and prices
Ford Explorer
Sold new in Japan with left-hand drive, so used Explorers turn up in Japanese stock from time to time.
- Models and prices
Porsche Cayenne
Some Cayennes were sold new in Japan with left-hand drive and resurface in Japanese used stock in small numbers.
- Models and prices
Cadillac SRX
An American SUV sold new in Japan with left-hand drive; examples appear in Japanese used stock occasionally.
- Models and prices
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Left-hand-drive S-Class cars sold new in Japan appear in Japanese used stock, mostly older examples.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Oman?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscat | Sohar Port | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Sohar | Sohar Port | US$90 | US$120 | 1 |
| Salalah | Sohar Port | US$420 | US$520 | 2 |
| Nizwa | Sohar Port | US$190 | US$240 | 1 |
| Sur | Sohar Port | US$230 | US$290 | 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
- Does Oman allow right-hand-drive cars from Japan?
- Oman drives on the right and follows GCC left-hand-drive conventions for vehicle registration. Right-hand-drive Japanese domestic cars are generally not registrable for normal road use.
- How much is the import duty on a car in Oman?
- Oman is part of the GCC customs union, which applies a 5% baseline duty on CIF. VAT and any category-specific surcharges also apply.
- Which Japanese cars are most popular in Oman?
- Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado and Hilux are the dominant Japanese vehicles on Omani roads, valued for their durability in desert and mountain terrain. Honda Fit and Suzuki Swift are popular in Muscat for urban commuting at a lower price point.
Car import duty calculator for Oman
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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.