Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to Peru?

Not through the standard import route — Peru requires vehicles to have been LHD from manufacture for regular national circulation. RHD cars can enter through the CETICOS or ZOFRATACNA free zones but must be converted to LHD before they can be registered and driven on Peruvian roads, adding significant cost and complexity.

What is the age limit for importing a car to Peru?

Used passenger vehicles are limited to five years old under the standard import regime (some categories are stricter). In 2026 that means a 2021 model or newer. Our team verifies the current rule for your specific category.

How much import duty is charged in Peru?

Approximately 6% ad valorem duty on CIF, plus 0% ISC for CETICOS reconditioned vehicles, plus 18% combined IGV and municipal promotion tax on CIF plus duty plus ISC. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Peru

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Peru is a market that looks accessible on paper — a low 6% ad valorem duty, 0% selective consumption tax for free-zone reconditioned vehicles, and an 18% combined sales tax — but carries an important practical barrier: the standard import regime requires vehicles to have been left-hand drive from manufacture. Japan's domestic stock is right-hand drive, so a direct used-car import under the regular route is not possible without a CETICOS or ZOFRATACNA free-zone step that involves reconditioning and converting the car to LHD before it can circulate on Peruvian roads. The five-year age cap is a further constraint: in 2026 that means a 2021 model or newer. Under the regular LHD regime, the duty route is approximately 6% ad valorem on CIF, 0% ISC (selective consumption tax) and 18% combined IGV and municipal promotion tax on CIF plus duty plus ISC. When you enquire about importing a car from Japan to Peru, AskJapanCars confirms the routing upfront. A buyer who needs a standard road-registered vehicle must source an LHD-configured car, which Japan's domestic auction market does not commonly list. For buyers exploring the CETICOS free-zone route with LHD conversion, the added reconditioning cost and regulatory steps change the economics significantly. We explain the options honestly and quote the real landed cost for each path before any commitment.

Main ports: Matarani
Import age rule: Used passenger cars must be LEFT-HAND-DRIVE from the factory and no more than 2 years old (2026 SUNAT/MTC rules). Right-hand-drive is banned and conversion is no longer accepted, so Japanese domestic RHD auction stock cannot be imported. Port: Callao.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: Peru applies a low ad valorem customs duty (around 0-6%), a selective consumption tax (ISC) that runs roughly 5-10% of the value-plus-duty by engine size for used cars, and a combined sales tax of 18% (16% IGV plus 2% municipal promotion tax). The decisive blocker for our model is steering: 2026 rules require left-hand-drive from the factory (no conversion), so right-hand-drive Japanese auction cars cannot be imported at all.

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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 Peru

Understand the steering requirement
Peru's standard import regime requires LHD from manufacture. We discuss your options upfront: either source a rare LHD Japanese export vehicle, or use the CETICOS/ZOFRATACNA free-zone route with LHD conversion — a more complex and costly path.
Confirm age compliance
Used passenger vehicles are limited to five years old (some categories have tighter restrictions). In 2026 that means a 2021 model or newer. We only shortlist cars within the current age window.
Source the vehicle in Japan
Once the route is confirmed, we use licensed USS auction access to source the right car, read the auction sheet and grade, and verify production year, odometer and condition before any bid.
Pre-shipment inspection
Peru requires a pre-shipment or technical inspection. We arrange this in Japan and include the certificate with the shipping documentation.
Ocean shipping to Matarani or Callao
For the CETICOS route, the car arrives at Matarani (near the ZOFRATACNA free zone). For direct LHD imports, Callao is the main port. We send you the vessel schedule and tracking.
Customs clearance and tax payment
Our team handles clearance, paying approximately 6% ad valorem duty, applicable ISC and 18% combined IGV and municipal promotion tax, then arranges delivery to your city.

Import duties & taxes in Peru explained

Peru's tariff structure is relatively low: approximately 6% ad valorem customs duty on the CIF value, a selective consumption tax (ISC) of 0% for vehicles reconditioned in a CETICOS free zone (rates vary for other cases), and a combined sales tax of 18% made up of 16% IGV and 2% municipal promotion tax, applied to CIF plus duty plus ISC. The practical complication is the LHD requirement: standard imports must be LHD from manufacture, and Japan's RHD stock must go through a free-zone conversion step that adds cost. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Peru

Honda Fit
For buyers sourcing an LHD export-specification Honda, the Fit's small engine keeps the CIF base and IGV bill low — and hybrid options are fuel-efficient for Lima traffic.
See prices
Mazda Demio
Good cabin quality relative to price — a practical choice for eligible LHD import buyers who want more than the bare minimum for their money.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light, economical and low-maintenance — a sensible option for buyers navigating Peru's restricted import landscape who want predictable running costs.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Conservative, reliable and widely serviced in Peru — for buyers who want a dependable family sedan with the lowest possible ownership cost after landing.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Peru

Matarani — You are at the port — sedan delivery runs about $100.
Arequipa — Delivery from Matarani to Arequipa adds roughly $200 for a sedan.
Callao — Delivery from Matarani to Callao adds roughly $640 for a sedan.
Lima — Delivery from Matarani to Lima adds roughly $640 for a sedan.
Trujillo — Delivery from Matarani to Trujillo adds roughly $950 for a sedan.
Chiclayo — Delivery from Matarani to Chiclayo adds roughly $1,060 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a right-hand-drive Japanese car to Peru?: Not through the standard import route — Peru requires vehicles to have been LHD from manufacture for regular national circulation. RHD cars can enter through the CETICOS or ZOFRATACNA free zones but must be converted to LHD before they can be registered and driven on Peruvian roads, adding significant cost and complexity.
What is the age limit for importing a car to Peru?: Used passenger vehicles are limited to five years old under the standard import regime (some categories are stricter). In 2026 that means a 2021 model or newer. Our team verifies the current rule for your specific category.
How much import duty is charged in Peru?: Approximately 6% ad valorem duty on CIF, plus 0% ISC for CETICOS reconditioned vehicles, plus 18% combined IGV and municipal promotion tax on CIF plus duty plus ISC. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.