How do you import a car from Japan to Puerto Rico, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Puerto Rico follows US federal import rules: 2.5% US duty plus the Puerto Rico excise tax (arbitrio) of 6.6–17.5% by CIF value. A Japanese-market car must meet US safety and emissions standards or qualify for the 25-year exemption, so most recent Japanese cars cannot be imported.
Car import duty calculator for Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a US territory and follows United States federal import regulations — which means any car imported from Japan must meet US DOT and EPA standards, or qualify for the 25-year exemption that applies to vehicles manufactured before 2001 (in 2026). Newer Japanese domestic-market cars that were never sold in the US cannot be registered on Puerto Rican roads without meeting those federal compliance requirements, which is a significant constraint. Puerto Rico drives on the right and uses left-hand-drive vehicles as the norm. The entry port for vehicle imports is San Juan. Federal customs duty on passenger cars is 2.5%; Puerto Rico also levies its own excise tax on top.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Puerto Rico?
- Steering
- Right- and left-hand drive
- Age limit
- Puerto Rico follows U.S. federal import compliance. Non-US-spec vehicles usually need DOT/EPA compliance or 25-year exemption; PR excise tax is separate.
- Inspection
- U.S. CBP, DOT/EPA compliance, Puerto Rico Hacienda excise appraisal/registration
- Entry ports
- San Juan
How do you import a car from Japan to Puerto Rico, step by step?
Check the import rules
Puerto Rico follows U.S. federal import compliance. Non-US-spec vehicles usually need DOT/EPA compliance or 25-year exemption; PR excise tax is separate. Puerto Rico accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.
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 Puerto Rico.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Puerto Rico: U.S. CBP, DOT/EPA compliance, Puerto Rico Hacienda excise appraisal/registration.
Ship to San Juan
Cars from Japan arrive at San Juan. Sea transit is about 34–48 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 US federal import duty and PR excise tax; 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 Puerto Rico's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Puerto Rico charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| US federal import duty | 2.5% | CIF value |
| PR excise tax (arbitrio) | 6.6%–17.5% by CIF value | CIF value |
US federal import duty
Rate: 2.5%. Charged on: CIF value.
PR excise tax (arbitrio)
Rate: 6.6% up to US$5,000; 9.5% up to US$15,000; 13.5% up to US$20,000; 15.5% up to US$30,000; 17.5% above US$30,000. Charged on: CIF value.
Puerto Rico follows US federal tariff rules, so US Customs and Border Protection charges 2.5% duty on passenger cars. Puerto Rico's Hacienda then charges its own motor vehicle excise tax (arbitrio), which rises with the vehicle's value; the table models it at 6.6% to 17.5% of CIF by value band. Hacienda assesses its own value, which is often higher than CIF, and adds surcharges for large engines, so treat the table as a lower bound. Compliance work for vehicles that are not exempt from US safety and emissions rules is a separate cost.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Puerto Rico?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | RoRo or container | 34–48 | US$1,450 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Puerto Rico?
- Models and prices
Nissan Skyline
Only cars built 25 or more years ago are exempt from US safety and emissions rules, so in 2026 that means a Skyline built in 2001 or earlier.
- Models and prices
Nissan Silvia
A rear-drive coupe never sold in the US under this name; examples built in 2001 or earlier qualify under the 25-year exemption in 2026.
- Models and prices
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Early Evolution models were not sold in the US; those built in 2001 or earlier qualify under the 25-year exemption in 2026.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Puerto Rico?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | San Juan | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Ponce | San Juan | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Mayaguez | San Juan | US$230 | US$290 | 2 |
| Caguas | San Juan | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Arecibo | San Juan | US$190 | US$240 | 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
- Can I import a Japanese domestic-market car to Puerto Rico?
- It depends on the car's age. Vehicles 25 years old or older qualify for the federal 25-year exemption from DOT/EPA standards and can be imported freely. Newer JDM cars must meet US federal compliance or be modified to do so, which is expensive.
- What is the 25-year rule for Puerto Rico?
- Under US federal law, vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago are exempt from DOT and EPA compliance requirements. In 2026 this means vehicles built in 2001 or earlier. This opens the door to classic JDM models — Silvias, Skylines, Evos — that have strong collector demand in Puerto Rico.
- How much duty do I pay to import a car to Puerto Rico?
- 2.5% US federal duty, then Puerto Rico's excise tax (arbitrio), which rises with the car's value from about 6.6% to 17.5%. Hacienda assesses the value itself.
Sources
- US Customs and Border Protection — Importing a motor vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Puerto Rico — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Puerto Rico
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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.