Can I import used cars from Japan to South Sudan?

Yes, but steering is the main constraint. Since a December 2025 Traffic Police order, vehicles must have left-hand steering, so a right-hand-drive Japanese car must be converted after arrival.

Are right-hand-drive cars banned in South Sudan?

Their use is. In December 2025 the Traffic Police ordered owners of right-hand-drive vehicles to move the steering to the left within seven days, with fines or impoundment for non-compliance.

Which side of the road does South Sudan drive on?

The right. That is why the authorities require left-hand steering, unlike neighbouring Kenya and Uganda, which drive on the left.

How do cars from Japan get to South Sudan?

By sea to Mombasa in Kenya, then by road in transit through Kenya and Uganda to the South Sudan border and Juba, along the Northern Corridor.

Can I buy a left-hand-drive car at a Japanese auction?

Yes, but the choice is small. Left-hand-drive cars at Japanese auctions are mostly European and American models sold new in Japan, and they usually cost more than common Japanese cars.

How much is import duty on a car in South Sudan?

It is assessed by the South Sudan Revenue Authority by vehicle class and value. No official rate schedule could be verified for this guide, so ask a licensed clearing agent in Juba for the current figures.

Do I pay tax in Kenya and Uganda on a car going to South Sudan?

Not normally. A car moving on a valid transit declaration and leaving Kenya and Uganda is not cleared for home use there, though transit and clearing fees still apply.

Is the road from Mombasa to Juba in good condition?

Not in South Sudan. The Northern Corridor authority rates about 95% of the corridor road inside South Sudan as in bad condition, which slows delivery and raises haulage cost.

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

Last reviewed 15 October 2026 by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)

South Sudan drives on the right, and a Traffic Police order of December 2025 requires vehicles to have left-hand steering: right-hand-drive cars must be converted or face fines or impoundment. Most Japanese auction cars are right-hand drive, so the usable choice is narrow. Cars arrive by road from Mombasa through Uganda on the Northern Corridor, where about 95% of the South Sudan section was rated in bad condition.

South Sudan drives on the right. A Traffic Police order of December 2025 requires right-hand-drive vehicles to be converted to left-hand steering, so most Japanese domestic cars would need a conversion after import.

South Sudan keeps to the right-hand side of the road. In December 2025 the Director General of the Traffic Police gave owners of right-hand-drive vehicles seven days to move the steering wheel to the left, citing a 2019 Cabinet decision and a 2020 Ministry of Trade and Industry order on vehicle standards. Non-compliant vehicles may be fined or impounded. Parliament said it would question the Minister of Interior about the measures, and no withdrawal of the order was found at the time of review. That rule matters more than tax for a buyer in Japan. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive, so a typical auction car would need a steering conversion after arrival, which adds cost and is not possible on every model. Left-hand-drive cars do appear at Japanese auctions, mostly European and American models originally sold new in Japan, but the range is small. South Sudan is landlocked and a member of the Northern Corridor. Cars are landed at Mombasa in Kenya and travel by road through Uganda to Juba. The South Sudan Revenue Authority assesses import duty and taxes on arrival; its rates were not published in a form that could be checked for this guide.

Can you import a used car from Japan to South Sudan?

Steering: Left-hand drive only

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

Check steering before you buy
Under the December 2025 Traffic Police order, vehicles in South Sudan must have left-hand steering. Choose a left-hand-drive car, or budget for a conversion and confirm it is possible for that model.
Buy the car and get the Japanese export certificate
After purchase the Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued. Keep it with an English translation, as it is the proof of ownership history for clearance and registration.
Ship the car from Japan to Mombasa
Cars for South Sudan are normally shipped to Mombasa in Kenya. The bill of lading should name the final destination so the car can be entered for transit.
Transit through Kenya and Uganda
A clearing agent lodges a transit declaration at Mombasa and the car moves by road along the Northern Corridor through Kenya and Uganda to the South Sudan border. The South Sudan section of the road is mostly in poor condition.
Clear customs in South Sudan
At the border or in Juba the importer or a licensed clearing agent declares the car to the South Sudan Revenue Authority, which assesses import duty and taxes on the declared and assessed value.
Register the car and confirm it meets the traffic rules
After customs release the car is registered for road use in South Sudan. Right-hand-drive cars must be converted to left-hand steering under the December 2025 order.

Documents checklist

Commercial invoice from the seller in Japan
Japanese export certificate with English translation
Original bill of lading naming the final destination
Transit declarations for Kenya and Uganda
South Sudan customs declaration lodged with the Revenue Authority
Proof of payment of import duty and taxes
Vehicle registration application after customs release

What import duties and taxes does South Sudan charge?

Import duty and other taxes on vehicles are assessed by the South Sudan Revenue Authority when the car is declared at the border or in Juba. The rates depend on the vehicle's classification and the value customs accepts, which can differ from the invoice. No official rate schedule for used cars could be verified for this guide, so no figures are given here, and AskJapanCars does not run a duty calculator for South Sudan. Transit through Kenya and Uganda is normally done under bond, so Kenyan and Ugandan import taxes are not paid on a car that leaves those countries on a valid transit declaration. Budget separately for transit, the overland haul to Juba, clearing fees and, for a right-hand-drive car, the steering conversion that the December 2025 traffic order requires.

How long does shipping take, and which ports?

Cars for South Sudan are landed at Mombasa, Kenya, then by road through Uganda and continue overland.

The Northern Corridor links Mombasa to Juba through Uganda; about 95% of the corridor road inside South Sudan was rated in bad condition.

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 used cars from Japan to South Sudan?: Yes, but steering is the main constraint. Since a December 2025 Traffic Police order, vehicles must have left-hand steering, so a right-hand-drive Japanese car must be converted after arrival.
Are right-hand-drive cars banned in South Sudan?: Their use is. In December 2025 the Traffic Police ordered owners of right-hand-drive vehicles to move the steering to the left within seven days, with fines or impoundment for non-compliance.
Which side of the road does South Sudan drive on?: The right. That is why the authorities require left-hand steering, unlike neighbouring Kenya and Uganda, which drive on the left.
How do cars from Japan get to South Sudan?: By sea to Mombasa in Kenya, then by road in transit through Kenya and Uganda to the South Sudan border and Juba, along the Northern Corridor.
Can I buy a left-hand-drive car at a Japanese auction?: Yes, but the choice is small. Left-hand-drive cars at Japanese auctions are mostly European and American models sold new in Japan, and they usually cost more than common Japanese cars.
How much is import duty on a car in South Sudan?: It is assessed by the South Sudan Revenue Authority by vehicle class and value. No official rate schedule could be verified for this guide, so ask a licensed clearing agent in Juba for the current figures.
Do I pay tax in Kenya and Uganda on a car going to South Sudan?: Not normally. A car moving on a valid transit declaration and leaving Kenya and Uganda is not cleared for home use there, though transit and clearing fees still apply.
Is the road from Mombasa to Juba in good condition?: Not in South Sudan. The Northern Corridor authority rates about 95% of the corridor road inside South Sudan as in bad condition, which slows delivery and raises haulage cost.

Sources

South Sudan Revenue Authority — checked 15 October 2026
Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority — Road network — checked 15 October 2026
Eye Radio — Traffic Police order on right-hand-drive vehicles (December 2025) — checked 15 October 2026
Radio Yei — Police warn on tinted and right-hand-drive vehicles — checked 15 October 2026

Car import duty calculator for South Sudan

There is no instant calculator for South Sudan yet, because its tax model or freight route is not in the dataset. The rules and steps above still apply. Contact