Cost to import a car from Japan to Tonga

Rates & rules last reviewed

Tonga drives on the left, and right-hand-drive Japanese cars are the natural fit for the Kingdom's roads — Japan's domestic auction market supplies exactly the stock Tongans need, in the right steering configuration and at competitive prices. Used Japanese vehicles are a well-established part of the Tongan car market, valued for their reliability, low running costs and strong parts availability. The packet data for Tonga does not include confirmed duty rates, age caps or detailed port information, so we do not quote import costs online. Our licensed team confirms the exact, current import requirements and full landed cost directly with you on WhatsApp before anything is sourced.

Main ports
  • Nuku'alofa (Queen Salote Wharf)
Import age rule
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.
Steering
RHD
Duties & taxes
Tonga charges a specific (per-cc) import duty rather than a percentage: for vehicles under 10 years old, T$0.50/cc up to 1500cc, T$0.75/cc 1500–3000cc, and T$1.00/cc above 3000cc (roughly half those rates for vehicles 10+ years old), then a 15% Consumption Tax on (CIF + duty). Because duty is per-cc, engine size drives the bill and older cars are cheaper to land.

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Tonga

  1. Tell us your budget and vehicle needs

    Contact us on WhatsApp with your budget, preferred vehicle type and location in Tonga. Our team tailors the shortlist to local conditions — compact cars for Nuku'alofa, practical wagons for outer islands.

  2. We confirm current import requirements

    Our licensed team checks the current Tonga customs duty rates, any age or emissions rules, and inspection requirements for your specific vehicle before sourcing begins.

  3. We source it from Japan's auctions

    With our licensed USS auction access we find the right car, read the auction sheet and condition grade, and share full details before you commit to anything.

  4. Shipping and customs clearing

    We book the car onto a vessel to Tonga, handle all customs documentation, and arrange clearing at the port on arrival — quoting the full landed cost before you pay.

Import duties & taxes in Tonga explained

Import duty and any other applicable taxes on a vehicle imported to Tonga depend on the vehicle type, engine size and current tariff schedule — our licensed team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Tonga

  • 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.

    See prices

  • Toyota Corolla Axio

    Reliable, practical and widely familiar to mechanics across Pacific island markets — a trusted family sedan sourced direct from Japanese auction.

    See 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.

    See 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.

    See prices

Frequently asked questions

Does Tonga accept right-hand-drive cars from Japan?
Yes. Tonga is a left-hand-traffic country, so right-hand-drive vehicles are the correct and legal option. Japan's domestic stock is almost entirely right-hand drive, making it a natural and well-established source market for Tonga.
What duties apply when importing a car from Japan to Tonga?
Our licensed team confirms the exact, current duty rates and any other levies for your specific vehicle. We do not quote these online because they depend on vehicle type and the current tariff schedule — contact us on WhatsApp for a full landed cost.
How does the import process work for Tonga?
We confirm current requirements, source the car from Japanese auction using our licensed USS access, manage shipping to Tonga, and handle customs clearing — quoting the full landed cost before you commit to anything.

Other import-cost guides