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. Our team coordinates the CAI application as the first step before any shipment.

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.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Philippines

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

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. Our licensed team works through the EO 877-A eligibility assessment and the CAI application process before sourcing any car.

Main ports: Port of Manila (also Subic Bay)
Import age rule: 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.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: 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.

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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 Philippines

Assess your EO 877-A eligibility
We first confirm whether you qualify under EO 877-A — returning resident with 1+ year abroad, diplomat, or special-purpose vehicle category. The CAI from DTI-FTEB must be secured before the car leaves Japan. This step comes before any sourcing.
Source a left-hand-drive Japanese car
The Philippines requires LHD vehicles — right-hand-drive Japanese cars cannot be registered. We source LHD cars from appropriate markets; our team confirms availability and condition through our licensed auction and export network.
Secure the CAI and pre-shipment documentation
The Certificate of Authority to Import (CAI) from DTI-FTEB is mandatory before shipment. We co-ordinate the application, prepare the pre-shipment documentation per FTEB requirements, and confirm everything is in order.
Ocean shipping to Port of Manila
The car ships to the Port of Manila (or Subic Bay as an alternative). We provide full tracking and handle all Bureau of Customs entry requirements on arrival.
LTO inspection, duty and registration
After customs clearing — paying Customs Duty 30%, TRAIN Law Ad Valorem Excise, and 12% VAT — the car undergoes LTO technical inspection before registration. Our agent manages the full process in Manila.

Import duties & taxes in Philippines explained

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. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Philippines

Honda Fit
Available in LHD from export markets — a practical, fuel-efficient choice for returning residents who qualify under EO 877-A, with a modest retail value that keeps TRAIN Law excise in its lower bands.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
LHD variants available for export markets — the Axio's reliability and Toyota's Philippine service network make it the safest long-term choice for eligible returning residents who want a Japanese car they can maintain easily.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A well-finished small LHD hatchback at a modest price — for returning residents who want a nicer cabin without pushing into higher TRAIN Law excise brackets.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Low-cost, fuel-efficient and available in LHD — the Swift's small engine and modest retail price keep it in the most affordable TRAIN Law excise band for eligible Philippine importers.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Philippines

Metro Manila — Local delivery from Manila port to Metro Manila adds roughly $40 for a sedan.
Manila — Delivery from the Port of Manila adds roughly $100 for a sedan.
Quezon City — Delivery from Manila port to Quezon City adds roughly $100 for a sedan.
Cebu City — Delivery from Manila port to Cebu City adds roughly $180 for a sedan.
Davao — Delivery from Manila port to Davao adds roughly $570 for a sedan.

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. We source LHD cars for eligible Philippine importers from appropriate export markets.
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. Our team coordinates the CAI application as the first step before any shipment.
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.