AskJapanCars

How do you import a car from Japan to Romania, and what does it cost? (2026)

Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)

Romania charges 0% customs duty on cars from Japan under the EU-Japan agreement and 19% import VAT in this dataset, about 19% of CIF before registration costs. There is no age limit, but the car must pass conformity, emissions and roadworthiness checks before registration.

Car import duty calculator for Romania

Romania is an EU member, meaning the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement applies and import duty on Japan-origin cars can be 0% with valid origin proof. Romanian VAT is 19% on the imported value, one of the lower rates in the EU. Romania's geographic advantage for Japanese car imports is the Port of Constanta on the Black Sea — one of Europe's largest seaports, well-positioned to receive RoRo vehicles and with good inland connections to Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi and beyond. Constanta is also the natural entry point for cars destined for Ukraine, which makes it a regional logistics hub.

Can you import a used car from Japan to Romania?

Steering
Right- and left-hand drive
Age limit
No EU-wide age cap for private imports, but vehicle must pass customs, conformity/roadworthiness, emissions/type-approval and local registration.
Inspection
Customs declaration; conformity/roadworthiness; local registration tax/CO2 rules
Entry ports
Constanta

How do you import a car from Japan to Romania, step by step?

  1. Check the import rules

    No EU-wide age cap for private imports, but vehicle must pass customs, conformity/roadworthiness, emissions/type-approval and local registration. Romania accepts both left- and right-hand-drive vehicles, subject to its registration checks.

  2. 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 Romania.

  3. Complete the required inspection

    Required for Romania: Customs declaration; conformity/roadworthiness; local registration tax/CO2 rules.

  4. Ship to Constanta

    Cars from Japan arrive at Constanta. Sea transit is about 35–50 days. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, which customs needs for the entry.

  5. 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 Import duty and VAT / GST; the rates are in the duty table on this page.

  6. Register the car

    After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Romania's vehicle registration authority.

What import duties and taxes does Romania charge?

Import taxes on a used car in Romania, as used by the calculator
TaxRateCharged on
Import duty0%CIF value
VAT / GST19%CIF + duty + earlier taxes

Import duty

Rate: 0%. Charged on: CIF value.

VAT / GST

Rate: 19%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.

Under the EU-Japan EPA, import duty on a Japan-origin car can be 0% with valid origin proof; otherwise standard TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty may apply. Romanian VAT is 19% on the imported value (customs value plus any duty). Romania does not currently levy a separate registration tax equivalent to the Nordic or Irish systems, but conformity and registration fees apply.

How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Romania?

Worked examples are not shown for this market. Use the calculator below with your own car.

How long does shipping take, and which ports?

Shipping from Japan to Romania
PortMethodTransit (days)Freight from (sedan)
ConstantaRoRo or container35–50US$1,550

How much is inland delivery to cities in Romania?

Inland delivery from the port, estimated
CityFrom portSedanSUV / wagonExtra days
ConstantaConstantaUS$100US$1201
BucharestConstantaUS$210US$2602
Cluj-NapocaConstantaUS$350US$4403
TimisoaraConstantaUS$410US$5103
IasiConstantaUS$280US$3502

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

Is import duty 0% for Japanese cars in Romania?
Under the EU-Japan EPA, duty can be 0% with valid Japan-origin proof. Without it, standard TARIC/MFN passenger-car duty applies.
Is there an age limit on importing a car to Romania from Japan?
No — there is no fixed age cap. The car must meet Romanian conformity and roadworthiness standards and pass registration checks, but age alone does not bar the import.
Where does the car arrive in Romania?
The Port of Constanta on the Black Sea is the main vehicle-import point. Delivery to Bucharest adds roughly $210 for a sedan; to Cluj-Napoca roughly $350; to Timisoara roughly $410.
Does Romania accept right-hand-drive cars from Japan?
The calculator data lists both left- and right-hand drive as accepted, although Romania drives on the right. Confirm registration with the vehicle registration authority before buying.

Sources

Car import duty calculator for Romania

Loading calculator…

Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.

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