How do you import a car from Japan to Saudi Arabia, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
5% GCC customs duty on CIF + 15% VAT on (CIF + duty). Combined burden ~20.75% of CIF. LHD only; RHD banned. Vehicle must be ≤5 years old (manufacture year 2021+ for 2026 imports).
Car import duty calculator for Saudi Arabia
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Saudi Arabia 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.
Saudi Arabia is the largest automotive market in the Gulf, and Japanese vehicles — sourced through the Kingdom's authorised importers or via direct licensed procurement — are widely trusted for their build quality and after-sales network. The rules are strict and non-negotiable: Saudi Arabia mandates left-hand drive and bans right-hand-drive vehicles outright, which means the bulk of Japan's domestic stock is ineligible for direct registration. More critically, Saudi Arabia enforces a five-year age cap calculated from the year of manufacture — so for 2026 imports, only vehicles manufactured in 2021 or later are admissible through normal channels; older cars require special approval that is very rarely granted. Classic and antique vehicles thirty years or older are exempt from the age rule but cannot be used on Saudi public roads. On the duty side, the GCC 5% customs duty applies on the CIF value, and Saudi VAT at 15% is levied on the CIF-plus-duty amount, making the combined burden approximately 20.75% of CIF. Saudi Arabia also enforces GCC energy-efficiency standards: non-conforming vehicles face an additional surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value. Before shipment, the SASO Certificate of Conformity via the SABER platform must be obtained. The Kingdom has two primary import ports: Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea and King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam on the Arabian Gulf.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Saudi Arabia?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Vehicle must be manufactured within 5 years of the import year (2021+ for 2026). Calculated from year of manufacture per ZATCA. Classic/antique vehicles ≥30 years are exempt but cannot be used on public roads.
- Inspection
- SASO Certificate of Conformity via SABER platform — must be obtained before shipment.
- Permits
- Residents limited to one private vehicle import every 3 years; vehicle cannot be resold for 3 years from import date. ZATCA e-service allows self-clearance (no broker required) for light vehicles ≤3.5 t since Dec 2024.
- Restrictions
- RHD strictly banned. Salvage, rebuilt, flood, fire, ex-police and ex-taxi vehicles prohibited. Vehicles failing GCC energy-efficiency standards incur surcharge SAR 20,000–50% of value.
- Special rules
- ZATCA electronic import service available to Saudi citizens and residents since Dec 2024 (customs broker no longer required for light vehicles ≤3.5 t).
- Entry ports
- Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdul Aziz Port, Dammam
How do you import a car from Japan to Saudi Arabia, step by step?
Check the import rules
Vehicle must be manufactured within 5 years of the import year (2021+ for 2026). Calculated from year of manufacture per ZATCA. Classic/antique vehicles ≥30 years are exempt but cannot be used on public roads. Saudi Arabia requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Obtain the import permit
Residents limited to one private vehicle import every 3 years; vehicle cannot be resold for 3 years from import date. ZATCA e-service allows self-clearance (no broker required) for light vehicles ≤3.5 t since Dec 2024.
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 Saudi Arabia.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Saudi Arabia: SASO Certificate of Conformity via SABER platform — must be obtained before shipment.
Ship to Jeddah Islamic Port
Cars from Japan arrive at Jeddah Islamic Port and Dammam. Sea transit is about 18–48 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 GCC Customs Duty 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 Saudi Arabia's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Saudi Arabia charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| GCC Customs Duty | 5% | CIF value |
| VAT | 15% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
GCC Customs Duty
Rate: 5%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT
Rate: 15%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Saudi Arabia applies the GCC 5% customs duty on the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of an imported vehicle. Saudi VAT at 15% is then applied to the CIF-plus-duty total, giving a combined tax burden of approximately 20.75% of CIF. This is meaningfully higher than the UAE, so a vehicle's CIF value has a larger bearing on total landed cost here. Additionally, vehicles that fail GCC energy-efficiency standards face a surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value — this is not a minor penalty. SASO conformity certification adds a fixed pre-shipment cost.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Saudi Arabia?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeddah Islamic Port | RoRo or container | 18–24 | US$950 |
| Dammam | RoRo or container | 38–48 | US$1,100 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Saudi Arabia?
- 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 Saudi Arabia?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | Dammam | US$360 | US$450 | 3 |
| Dammam | Dammam | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Jeddah | Dammam | US$840 | US$1,050 | 5 |
| Mecca | Dammam | US$810 | US$1,010 | 5 |
| Medina | Dammam | US$750 | US$940 | 5 |
| Khobar | Dammam | US$100 | 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
- Can I import a right-hand-drive car from Japan to Saudi Arabia?
- No — RHD vehicles are strictly banned in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is a left-hand-drive country and the ban is enforced at customs.
- What is the age limit for importing a car to Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia enforces a strict five-year age cap calculated by ZATCA from the year of manufacture. For 2026 imports, only vehicles manufactured in 2021 or later are admissible through normal channels. Classic and antique vehicles thirty years or older are exempt but cannot be used on public roads.
- What is the SASO Certificate of Conformity and is it mandatory?
- Yes, it is mandatory. Before a vehicle can be shipped to Saudi Arabia, a SASO Certificate of Conformity must be obtained through Saudi Arabia's SABER platform. Without it, the vehicle cannot clear Saudi customs.
- How much is the import duty and VAT in Saudi Arabia?
- The GCC 5% customs duty on CIF, plus 15% Saudi VAT on the CIF-plus-duty total, gives a combined burden of approximately 20.75% of CIF. Non-conforming vehicles may also face a GCC energy-efficiency surcharge of SAR 20,000 or up to 50% of value.
- Which port is best — Jeddah or Dammam?
- It depends on your destination. Jeddah Islamic Port is generally better for Riyadh and Western Province buyers, while King Abdul Aziz Port Dammam is more efficient for the Eastern Province (Khobar, Dammam).
Car import duty calculator for Saudi Arabia
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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.