How do you import a car from Japan to Saint Lucia, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Saint Lucia charges 35% import duty and a 6% service charge on CIF, 0–10% excise by engine size on CIF plus duty, and 12.5% VAT on the running total, about 59% of CIF for a typical 1.5-litre car. There is no fixed age limit, and right-hand drive is standard.
Car import duty calculator for Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia drives on the left, so Japan's right-hand-drive auction stock is exactly what the market needs. The island has a well-established tradition of importing used Japanese vehicles — Toyotas, Hondas and Suzukis are all common on Saint Lucian roads — and buyers value their reliability and low running costs in a hot, humid climate.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Saint Lucia?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No fixed age limit; excise and charges rise with age and engine size.
- Entry ports
- Port of Castries
How do you import a car from Japan to Saint Lucia, step by step?
Check the import rules
No fixed age limit; excise and charges rise with age and engine size. Saint Lucia registers right-hand-drive vehicles, so Japanese domestic stock meets the steering rule.
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 Saint Lucia.
Ship to Port of Castries
Cars from Japan arrive at Port of Castries. Sea transit is about 40–55 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 Import Duty, Service Charge, 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 Saint Lucia's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Saint Lucia charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 35% | CIF value |
| Service Charge | 6% | CIF value |
| Excise Tax | 0%–10% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| VAT | 12.5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import Duty
Rate: 35%. Charged on: CIF value.
Service Charge
Rate: 6%. Charged on: CIF value.
Excise Tax
Rate: 0% up to 2,000 cc; 10% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
VAT
Rate: 12.5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Saint Lucia charges 35% import duty, a 6% customs service charge, an excise tax that is modest for ordinary cars (0% up to 2000cc, ~10% above, on the duty-inclusive value) and 12.5% VAT — around 59% of CIF for a small car, ~70% for a large one.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Saint Lucia?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Castries | RoRo or container | 40–55 | US$1,950 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Saint Lucia?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact right-hand-drive hatchback that handles Castries traffic and the winding roads to the south with equal ease — fuel-efficient, practical, and available in hybrid form for lower running costs.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
The trusted right-hand-drive family sedan for the Caribbean — low maintenance, a fuel-efficient 1.5L engine, and strong durability in the island's salt-air and tropical climate.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical, with a small footprint that navigates Saint Lucia's narrower roads comfortably — low running costs and simple mechanics make it easy to own and service on a smaller island.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
For small business owners and traders across Saint Lucia, the Probox offers outstanding utility — a high-load wagon body, right-hand drive, and near-indestructible reliability at a low auction price.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Saint Lucia?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castries | Port of Castries | US$40 | US$60 | 1 |
| Vieux Fort | Port of Castries | US$90 | US$120 | 1 |
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
- Does Saint Lucia use right-hand-drive vehicles?
- Yes — Saint Lucia drives on the left and right-hand-drive vehicles are the standard. Japan's domestic auction stock is entirely RHD, making it a direct match for the Saint Lucian market.
- Which Japanese cars are most popular in Saint Lucia?
- The Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla Axio, and Suzuki Swift are the most practical choices for Saint Lucia — all right-hand drive, fuel-efficient, and proven in hot and humid Caribbean conditions. The Toyota Probox is the top pick for business and utility use.
Sources
- Saint Lucia Customs & Excise — ASYCUDA duty calculator — checked 15 October 2026
- Laws of Saint Lucia — Excise Tax Act, Schedule 1 — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Saint Lucia
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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.