How do you import a car from Japan to Papua New Guinea, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Papua New Guinea charges Import Excise Duty on the CIF value, 20% for a standard passenger car and up to 110% for larger and luxury vehicles, then 10% GST on CIF plus excise, so a standard car pays about 32% of CIF, plus a K30 entry fee. There is no age limit. A licensed customs broker must lodge the declaration, and a car left uncleared for over 30 days is forfeited.
Worked example: a 2015 Toyota Probox 1.5 L costs about 32,400 to 36,900 PGK (US$7,300 to US$8,320) delivered to Lae, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars suit its roads, and there is no maximum age for a used import. SUVs, 4WDs, wagons and light commercials are common choices because many roads outside the towns are rough. Tax is set by PNG Customs. The main charge is Import Excise Duty on the CIF value. Customs classifies each car with a tariff code and a Tariff Specification Code (TSC) that records the exact model, engine size and year, and that classification sets the rate: 20% for a standard passenger car such as a 2.0-litre Subaru Forester, with higher bands for large-engine, high-end and luxury vehicles. GST of 10% is then charged on CIF plus excise. PNG Customs warns that duties, taxes and fees can double the purchase price of a car. A licensed customs broker is legally required to act for the importer, and a car left at a customs wharf for more than 30 days is forfeited to the State. Cars arrive at Lae or Port Moresby.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Papua New Guinea?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No maximum age limit for used imports. PNG drives on the left, so Japanese RHD stock fits. An imported vehicle generally cannot be resold for 15 months after import.
- Inspection
- PNG Customs valuation + roadworthiness on arrival.
- Special rules
- EVs may receive concessional treatment; large/luxury vehicles face the higher excise bands below.
- Entry ports
- Port of Lae, Port Moresby
How do you import a car from Japan to Papua New Guinea, step by step?
Check the duty band and costs
Find the car's Tariff Specification Code and excise band before buying, and check the model is not a prohibited import. Large-engine and luxury vehicles pay much more than 20%.
Engage a licensed customs broker
A licensed customs broker is legally required to act for the importer. Have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) ready, as it must appear on the declaration.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued, which confirms the model, engine size and year used for classification.
Ship to Lae or Port Moresby
Cars from Japan arrive at Lae or Port Moresby, by RoRo vessel or container. The shipping line issues the bill of lading.
Lodge the import declaration and pay taxes
The broker lodges the import declaration (SAD). Customs classifies the car, and the importer pays Import Excise Duty, 10% GST and the K30 entry fee. Clear the car within 30 days to avoid forfeiture.
Quarantine, safety inspection and registration
After payment the car needs quarantine clearance, a safety inspection and sticker, and registration with Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL).
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate with English translation
- Bill of lading
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Import declaration (SAD) lodged by a licensed customs broker
- Quarantine clearance
- Safety inspection sticker
- MVIL registration
What import duties and taxes does Papua New Guinea charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Excise Duty | 20% | CIF value |
| GST | 10% | CIF + import duty |
Import Excise Duty
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF value.
GST
Rate: 10%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Two taxes and a fee apply. Import Excise Duty is charged on the CIF value converted to kina. PNG Customs applies 20% to a standard passenger car, using a 2.0-litre Subaru Forester as its worked example, and higher bands of 40%, 60% and 110% to large-engine, high-end and luxury or special vehicles; the band depends on the Tariff Specification Code for the exact model, engine size and year, and the duty table uses the standard 20% rate. GST of 10% is charged on CIF plus the excise duty. A customs entry fee of K30 is added. Brokerage, quarantine, wharf handling, the safety sticker and MVIL registration are separate fees, which PNG Customs puts at about K3,447 in its example.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Papua New Guinea?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Port of Lae | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Toyota Probox 1.5 L | US$2,840 | US$5,330 | US$1,71032% of CIF | PGK 32,400 – 36,900US$7,300 – US$8,320 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5 L | US$5,420 | US$7,600 | US$2,43032% of CIF | PGK 45,700 – 49,800US$10,300 – US$11,200 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester 2.0 L | US$9,920 | US$12,100 | US$3,87032% of CIF | PGK 72,000 – 76,100US$16,200 – US$17,200 |
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 Lae. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Lae | RoRo or container | 39–51 | US$1,750 |
| Port Moresby | RoRo or container | 39–51 | US$1,850 |
Clear the car promptly on arrival: a vehicle left uncleared at a customs wharf for more than 30 days is forfeited to the State.
Which Japanese cars are popular in Papua New Guinea?
- Models and prices
Subaru Forester
A 2.0-litre AWD SUV that PNG Customs itself uses as its 20% standard passenger car example. AWD helps on unsealed roads.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
A 1.5-litre commercial wagon used by small businesses. It is simple to maintain and sits in the standard excise band.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Fielder
A 1.5-litre estate with good load space. Its small engine keeps it in the standard excise band.
- Models and prices
Nissan X-Trail
A 2.0-litre SUV with 4WD versions, suited to rough roads. Check its Tariff Specification Code to confirm the excise band.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Papua New Guinea?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lae | Port of Lae | US$120 | US$160 | 1 |
| Port Moresby | Port Moresby | US$130 | US$170 | 1 |
| Mount Hagen | Port of Lae | US$450 | US$560 | 2 |
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
- How much is duty on a car from Japan to Papua New Guinea?
- 20% Import Excise Duty on CIF for a standard passenger car, then 10% GST on CIF plus excise, about 32% of CIF in total. Large-engine and luxury vehicles pay higher excise bands.
- Is there an age limit for importing a used car to PNG?
- No. Papua New Guinea has no maximum age for used vehicle imports. Check that the model is not a prohibited import before buying.
- Do I need a customs broker to import a car to PNG?
- Yes. A licensed customs broker is legally required to act for the importer and lodge the import declaration.
- What happens if my car is not cleared in PNG within 30 days?
- It is forfeited to the State. A vehicle left uncleared at a customs wharf for more than 30 days is forfeited to recover costs.
- How does PNG Customs decide the excise rate on a car?
- By its tariff code and Tariff Specification Code (TSC), which record the exact model, engine size and year. Standard cars pay 20%; higher bands are 40%, 60% and 110%.
- What GST applies to imported cars in PNG?
- 10% of the CIF value plus Import Excise Duty, paid to Customs before the car is released.
- What fees apply after customs in PNG?
- Quarantine clearance, a safety inspection sticker and MVIL registration, plus brokerage and wharf handling. PNG Customs estimates these at about K3,447 in its example.
- Which ports do cars from Japan arrive at in PNG?
- Lae and Port Moresby. Transit at sea is around 6 to 7 weeks, often with transhipment.
Sources
- PNG Customs Service — Importing a used vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Tax Summaries — Papua New Guinea: other taxes (GST 10%) — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Papua New Guinea
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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.