How do you import a car from Japan to Philippines, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Used passenger-car imports restricted (EO 877-A). Where applicable: Customs duty 30% CIF + TRAIN law excise 4–50% by net retail price (RA 10963 §149) + VAT 12% cumulative. Combined burden 48–110%+ of CIF. LHD only; CAI required before shipment.
Car import duty calculator for Philippines
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Philippines 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.
The Philippines is the only target market in Southeast Asia that uses left-hand traffic but requires left-hand-drive vehicles — the opposite of Japan. This is a significant constraint: Japan's right-hand-drive cars are not registrable in the Philippines, which means sourcing must come from LHD export markets or specifically from Japanese models produced for LHD markets. The more fundamental restriction is Executive Order 156 (2002), as amended by Executive Order 877-A, which effectively prohibits used CBU (Completely Built Up) passenger-car imports for general private buyers. The eligible categories are narrow: returning residents who have lived abroad for at least one year (one vehicle per family, cannot be resold for 3 years), diplomats, trucks above 2.5t GVW, buses above 6t GVW, and special-purpose vehicles. A Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) from the DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) must be secured before the vehicle leaves the port of origin. For those who do qualify, the tax structure involves 30% Customs Duty on CIF, an Ad Valorem Excise Tax under the TRAIN Law (RA 10963 §149) scaled by the car's net retail price, and 12% VAT on the cumulative total — a combined burden that can range from 48% to over 110% of CIF.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Philippines?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No statutory age cutoff. Vehicle must have been registered in country of origin for ≥6 months before shipment date (EO 877-A implementing rules). CAI from DTI-FTEB/BIS must be secured before the vehicle leaves the port of origin.
- Inspection
- LTO technical inspection on arrival before registration. DTI-FTEB/BIS inspection/documentation for used vehicles.
- Permits
- Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) from DTI-Bureau of Import Services (BIS, formerly FTEB) required before shipment. Without CAI, the vehicle is subject to immediate seizure and forfeiture on arrival.
- Restrictions
- Used CBU passenger-car imports effectively prohibited for general private buyers under EO 877-A. Eligible persons: returning residents (1+ year abroad, one unit per family, cannot resell for 3 years), diplomats, trucks ≥2.5t GVW, buses ≥6t GVW, and special purpose vehicles. LHD only; RHD not registrable.
- Special rules
- Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) allow used-car imports into freeports; vehicles cannot be transferred to the national customs territory without full import duties and compliance. PJEPA/JPEPA may reduce duty for qualifying new vehicles but does NOT generally apply to used CBU imports.
- Entry ports
- Port of Manila (also Subic Bay)
How do you import a car from Japan to Philippines, step by step?
Check the import rules
No statutory age cutoff. Vehicle must have been registered in country of origin for ≥6 months before shipment date (EO 877-A implementing rules). CAI from DTI-FTEB/BIS must be secured before the vehicle leaves the port of origin. Philippines requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Obtain the import permit
Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) from DTI-Bureau of Import Services (BIS, formerly FTEB) required before shipment. Without CAI, the vehicle is subject to immediate seizure and forfeiture on arrival.
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 Philippines.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Philippines: LTO technical inspection on arrival before registration. DTI-FTEB/BIS inspection/documentation for used vehicles.
Ship to Manila
Cars from Japan arrive at Manila. Sea transit is about 5–10 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 Customs Duty, Ad Valorem Excise Tax 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 Philippines's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Philippines charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Duty (MFN) | 30% | CIF value |
| Ad Valorem Excise Tax (TRAIN Law RA 10963 §149) | 4%–50% by CIF value | CIF value |
| VAT | 12% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Customs Duty (MFN)
Rate: 30%. Charged on: CIF value.
Ad Valorem Excise Tax (TRAIN Law RA 10963 §149)
Rate: 4% up to US$10,500; 10% up to US$17,500; 20% up to US$70,000; 50% above US$70,000. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 12%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
For eligible importers who clear the EO 877-A and CAI requirements, the Philippines charges Customs Duty at 30% of CIF under MFN rates, then an Ad Valorem Excise Tax under the TRAIN Law (RA 10963 §149) calculated by the car's net retail price in bands, and 12% VAT applied cumulatively. The combined burden typically ranges from 48% to over 110%+ of CIF depending on the car's value and category. Note that LHD is mandatory — RHD vehicles are not registrable. The CAI must be in hand before the car leaves the port of origin, and the vehicle must have been registered in its country of origin for at least 6 months before the shipment date under EO 877-A implementing rules.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Philippines?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila | RoRo or container | 5–10 | US$900 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Philippines?
- 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 Philippines?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Manila | Manila | US$40 | US$60 | 1 |
| Cebu City | Manila | US$180 | US$240 | 3 |
| Manila | Manila | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Quezon City | Manila | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Cebu | Manila | US$380 | US$480 | 3 |
| Davao | Manila | US$570 | US$710 | 5 |
| Iloilo | Manila | US$330 | US$410 | 3 |
| Cagayan de Oro | Manila | US$480 | US$600 | 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
- Who can legally import a used car into the Philippines?
- Under EO 877-A, eligible importers include: returning residents who have lived abroad for at least 1 year (one vehicle per family, cannot be resold for 3 years), diplomats, trucks above 2.5t GVW, buses above 6t GVW, and special-purpose vehicles. A CAI from DTI-FTEB must be obtained before the vehicle leaves the port of origin.
- Are right-hand-drive Japanese cars allowed in the Philippines?
- No — the Philippines uses left-hand traffic and requires left-hand-drive vehicles. Right-hand-drive cars are not registrable in the Philippines.
- What is a CAI and when must I get it?
- A CAI (Certificate of Authority to Import) is the import authority issued by DTI-FTEB that must be secured before the car leaves the port of origin — not after it arrives in Manila. Attempting to import without a CAI is a serious customs violation.
- What taxes do I pay to import a car to the Philippines?
- For eligible importers: Customs Duty 30% of CIF, Ad Valorem Excise Tax under the TRAIN Law (RA 10963 §149) scaled by net retail price, and 12% VAT on the cumulative total. The combined burden ranges from 48% to over 110% of CIF depending on the car's value.
Car import duty calculator for Philippines
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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.