How does a car get from Japan to landlocked Tajikistan?

Tajikistan is surrounded by land, so cars travel by ocean freight from Japan to a transit port, then continue overland through neighbouring countries to reach Tajikistan.

What taxes apply when importing a car from Japan to Tajikistan?

Tajikistan applies its own customs regime — duties, excise and VAT on imported cars depend on engine size, vehicle age and declared value.

Which Japanese cars are best suited to Tajikistan?

Models with small, proven engines — the Toyota Corolla Axio, Honda Fit, Mazda Demio and Suzuki Swift — tend to offer the best balance of manageable import costs and reliable running on Tajikistan's varied road network.

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

Last reviewed 1 July 2026 by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)

This page explains the rules, documents, import taxes, shipping and typical landed cost for a used car imported from Japan to Tajikistan.

Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Tajikistan 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.

Tajikistan sits at the heart of Central Asia and, like its neighbours, has no ocean coastline — which means importing a car from Japan involves ocean freight to a transit hub and then a multi-border overland leg before the vehicle reaches Tajikistan. Despite this, demand for used Japanese vehicles is real: Japanese makes are prized for their reliability and the relative availability of parts compared to European alternatives.

Can you import a used car from Japan to Tajikistan?

Steering: Left-hand drive only

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

Check the import rules
Tajikistan requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
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 Tajikistan.
Ship the car
The car is shipped by sea from Japan to the nearest viable transit port, then moves overland through the relevant neighbouring countries.
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 duty and taxes on the declared value.
Register the car
After customs release and payment of port charges, the car is registered and plated by Tajikistan's vehicle registration authority.

What import duties and taxes does Tajikistan charge?

Tajikistan operates its own customs regime outside the EAEU — duties, excise and VAT on imported vehicles depend on the car's engine size, age and declared customs value. The transit logistics also add meaningful inland freight cost given the landlocked location.

Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Tajikistan?

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.
Models and prices

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

How does a car get from Japan to landlocked Tajikistan?: Tajikistan is surrounded by land, so cars travel by ocean freight from Japan to a transit port, then continue overland through neighbouring countries to reach Tajikistan.
What taxes apply when importing a car from Japan to Tajikistan?: Tajikistan applies its own customs regime — duties, excise and VAT on imported cars depend on engine size, vehicle age and declared value.
Which Japanese cars are best suited to Tajikistan?: Models with small, proven engines — the Toyota Corolla Axio, Honda Fit, Mazda Demio and Suzuki Swift — tend to offer the best balance of manageable import costs and reliable running on Tajikistan's varied road network.

Car import duty calculator for Tajikistan

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