How do you import a car from Japan to Tonga, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Tonga charges import duty per cc of engine size, roughly halved for cars 10 years and older, plus 15% consumption tax on CIF plus duty, around 20% of CIF in total for a typical 1.5-litre car. There is no maximum age, and Tonga drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars are standard.
Car import duty calculator for Tonga
Tonga drives on the left and allows right-hand-drive vehicles only, so Japanese domestic cars meet the steering rule as they are. There is no maximum age limit and no vehicle inspection requirement for imports. Import duty is charged per cc of engine size rather than as a percentage of the car's value, and cars 10 years old or more pay roughly half the per-cc rate of newer cars. That makes older and smaller-engined cars noticeably cheaper to clear. A 15% consumption tax is then charged on CIF plus duty. Cars arrive at Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku'alofa.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Tonga?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No maximum age limit — but older vehicles are taxed at a LOWER per-cc duty (≥10 years old pay roughly half the per-cc rate of newer cars). Tonga drives on the left; only RHD is allowed. No vehicle inspection required.
- Special rules
- Per-cc duty below is the <10-year rate (conservative). Vehicles ≥10 years old pay about half per cc.
- Entry ports
- Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf)
How do you import a car from Japan to Tonga, step by step?
Check the import rules
No maximum age limit — but older vehicles are taxed at a LOWER per-cc duty (≥10 years old pay roughly half the per-cc rate of newer cars). Tonga drives on the left; only RHD is allowed. No vehicle inspection required. Tonga 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 Tonga.
Ship to Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf)
Cars from Japan arrive at Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf). Sea transit is about 34–46 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 and Consumption Tax; 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 Tonga's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Tonga charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty (per cc) | TOP 0.50–1 per cc | Engine size (fixed amount) |
| Consumption Tax | 15% | CIF + import duty |
Import Duty (per cc)
Rate: TOP 0.50 per cc up to 1,500 cc; TOP 0.75 per cc up to 3,000 cc; TOP 1 per cc above 3,000 cc. Charged on: Engine size (fixed amount).
Consumption Tax
Rate: 15%. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
Tonga's import duty on cars is a specific duty per cc of engine size, in Tongan pa'anga: T$0.50 per cc up to 1,500 cc, T$0.75 per cc from 1,501 to 3,000 cc and T$1.00 per cc above 3,000 cc for cars under 10 years old (Tonga Customs Duty Schedule, effective 1 July 2016). Cars 10 years old or more pay about half those rates. Consumption Tax of 15% is then charged on CIF plus duty. The duty table on this page uses the under-10-year rates, so it overstates duty for older cars.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Tonga?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf) | RoRo or container | 34–46 | US$2,200 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Tonga?
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A fuel-efficient compact hatchback well-suited to Tongan urban roads — petrol and hybrid options available from Japan's right-hand-drive domestic market.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable, practical and widely familiar to mechanics across Pacific island markets — a trusted family sedan sourced direct from Japanese auction.
- Models and prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical, with low maintenance costs that suit island budgets — easy to source from Japan and practical for everyday use around Nuku'alofa.
- Models and prices
Toyota Probox
The go-to workhorse for businesses and tradespeople across the Pacific — tough, cheap to run and available right-hand drive direct from Japan's domestic fleet.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Tonga?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuku'alofa | Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf) | US$110 | US$150 | 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
- Is there an age limit to import a car to Tonga?
- No. Tonga has no maximum age limit, and cars 10 years old or more pay roughly half the per-cc import duty of newer cars.
- Does Tonga accept right-hand-drive cars from Japan?
- Yes. Tonga drives on the left and allows right-hand-drive vehicles only, so Japanese domestic cars qualify as they are.
- How is import duty on a car calculated in Tonga?
- By engine size: T$0.50 per cc up to 1,500 cc, T$0.75 per cc to 3,000 cc and T$1.00 per cc above, for cars under 10 years old. Then 15% consumption tax applies on CIF plus duty.
- Does a car need an inspection to be imported to Tonga?
- No vehicle inspection is required for import into Tonga.
Sources
- Tonga Revenue & Customs — Tariffs and Fees — checked 15 October 2026
- Tonga Revenue & Customs — Consumption Tax overview — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Tonga
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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.