How do you import a car from Japan to Trinidad and Tobago, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Trinidad and Tobago charges customs duty of 20% up to 1,599 cc, 25% up to 1,999 cc and 45% above, a Motor Vehicle Tax of TT$3.75 to TT$67.50 per cc, and 12.5% VAT on the total. Used cars must be right-hand drive and covered by an import licence; petrol and diesel cars may be up to 8 years old, hybrids only 3.
Worked example: a 2022 Toyota Yaris 1.5 L costs about 158,000 to 163,000 TTD (US$23,200 to US$24,000) delivered to Port of Spain, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago drives on the left. Left-hand-drive vehicles are prohibited except in the cases listed in section 45(2) of the Customs Act, so Japanese right-hand-drive cars are the main source of used imports. Every used car needs an import licence from the Trade Licence Unit of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism before it ships. Age limits are set per fuel type. Petrol, diesel and CNG cars may be no more than 8 years old from the year of manufacture, hybrids no more than 3 years and fully electric cars no more than 2 years. An individual may import only 1 vehicle in a 4-year period and must order and land it personally. Engine size is the main cost driver. Customs duty steps from 20% to 45%, and the Motor Vehicle Tax is a per-cc charge that rises steeply above 1,999 cc, so a 1.5-litre car carries a much smaller tax bill than a 2.5-litre SUV.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Trinidad and Tobago?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Foreign-used petrol, diesel and CNG cars may be up to 8 years old from the year of manufacture; hybrids up to 3 years and fully electric cars up to 2 years (Trade Ministry, Personal Vehicles 2026). An import licence from the Trade Licence Unit is required.
- Inspection
- Trade licence/customs clearance
- Permits
- Allowed with import licence/age limits
- Entry ports
- Port of Spain
How do you import a car from Japan to Trinidad and Tobago, step by step?
Check fuel type, age and engine size
Confirm the car is right-hand drive and within the age limit for its fuel: 8 years for petrol, diesel and CNG, 3 years for hybrids, 2 years for fully electric cars. Check the engine size against the duty and MVT bands.
Register on TTBizLink and apply for the import licence
Individuals register on TTBizLink and apply online to the Trade Licence Unit with photo ID and a signed declaration form. The licence must be issued before the car is shipped.
Buy the car and obtain the cancellation certificate
The car must travel with a certificate of cancellation of registration from the country of origin, showing engine and chassis numbers, and documents proving the year of manufacture. In Japan this is the export certificate.
Prepare the car for import
The car must be structurally sound and have an ozone-friendly refrigerant in its air-conditioning system.
Ship to Port of Spain
Cars from Japan arrive at Port of Spain. The individual importer must arrange the landing personally, and the bill of lading is needed for the customs entry.
Clear customs and pay the taxes
The Customs and Excise Division assesses customs duty, Motor Vehicle Tax and VAT on the entry, which is lodged with the licence, invoice, bill of lading and cancellation certificate.
Inspection and registration
Before registration the car is inspected and certified as roadworthy by the Transport Commissioner. It can then be registered and plated.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Japanese export certificate (certificate of cancellation of registration) with English translation
- Proof of year of manufacture
- Import licence from the Trade Licence Unit, applied for through TTBizLink
- Photo ID (driver's permit, passport or national ID) and signed declaration form
- Original bill of lading
- Customs entry for the Customs and Excise Division
- Transport Commissioner inspection certificate for registration
What import duties and taxes does Trinidad and Tobago charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 20%–45% by engine size | CIF value |
| Motor Vehicle Tax (per cc) | TTD 3.75–67.50 per cc | Engine size (fixed amount) |
| VAT | 12.5% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import Duty
Rate: 20% up to 1,599 cc; 25% up to 1,999 cc; 45% above 1,999 cc. Charged on: CIF value.
Motor Vehicle Tax (per cc)
Rate: TTD 3.75 per cc up to 1,599 cc; TTD 4 per cc up to 1,799 cc; TTD 8 per cc up to 1,999 cc; TTD 31.50 per cc up to 2,499 cc; TTD 37.50 per cc up to 2,999 cc; TTD 45 per cc up to 3,499 cc; TTD 67.50 per cc above 3,499 cc. Charged on: Engine size (fixed amount).
VAT
Rate: 12.5%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Customs duty is charged on the CIF value: 20% for engines up to 1,599 cc, 25% from 1,600 to 1,999 cc and 45% above 1,999 cc. The 20% rate for cars up to 1,599 cc comes from the Finance Act 2020, effective 1 January 2021. Motor Vehicle Tax is a fixed amount per cc of engine capacity, in Trinidad and Tobago dollars: TT$3.75 per cc up to 1,599 cc, TT$4 to 1,799 cc, TT$8 to 1,999 cc, TT$31.50 to 2,499 cc, TT$37.50 to 2,999 cc, TT$45 to 3,499 cc and TT$67.50 above. Because it is a flat per-cc charge, it weighs more heavily on a cheap car with a large engine. VAT of 12.5% is charged on CIF plus duty plus Motor Vehicle Tax. Hybrid, CNG and electric vehicles have separate Motor Vehicle Tax treatment under the Finance Act 2020.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Trinidad and Tobago?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Port of Spain | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Toyota Yaris 1.5 L | US$14,200 | US$15,800 | US$6,46041% of CIF | TTD 158,000 – 163,000US$23,200 – US$24,000 |
| 2022 Toyota Corolla Fielder 1.5 L | US$12,300 | US$14,300 | US$5,92042% of CIF | TTD 144,000 – 150,000US$21,100 – US$22,000 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 2.0 L | US$32,700 | US$34,600 | US$32,30093% of CIF | TTD 461,000 – 467,000US$67,900 – US$68,700 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Port of Spain. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
This market taxes by engine size, age or fuel. Enter all three for a tighter figure.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Spain | RoRo or container | 24–36 | US$1,600 |
Which Japanese cars are popular in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Models and prices
Toyota Yaris
A 1.5-litre petrol hatchback in the lowest duty band (20%) and the lowest Motor Vehicle Tax band.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
The 1.3 and 1.5 petrol versions stay under 1,599 cc. Hybrid versions are only eligible up to 3 years old.
- Models and prices
Toyota Corolla Fielder
A 1.5-litre petrol estate that stays in the 20% duty band, useful for families who need load space.
- Models and prices
Toyota RAV4
The 2.0 petrol version is just under 1,999 cc, so it pays 25% duty and TT$8 per cc rather than the much higher rates above 2,000 cc.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Trinidad and Tobago?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port of Spain | Port of Spain | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| San Fernando | Port of Spain | US$120 | US$150 | 1 |
| Chaguanas | Port of Spain | US$110 | US$140 | 1 |
| Arima | Port of Spain | US$110 | US$140 | 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
- How old can a foreign used car be in Trinidad and Tobago?
- Up to 8 years from the year of manufacture for petrol, diesel and CNG cars. Hybrids may be no more than 3 years old and fully electric cars no more than 2 years.
- Do I need an import licence for a used car in Trinidad?
- Yes. Used vehicles are on the import negative list, so a licence from the Trade Licence Unit must be issued before the car ships. Individuals apply through TTBizLink.
- How much is duty on a car from Japan to Trinidad?
- Customs duty is 20% of CIF up to 1,599 cc, 25% up to 1,999 cc and 45% above. Motor Vehicle Tax of TT$3.75–67.50 per cc and 12.5% VAT are added on top.
- What is Motor Vehicle Tax in Trinidad and Tobago?
- A fixed charge per cc of engine capacity. It starts at TT$3.75 per cc up to 1,599 cc and rises to TT$31.50 per cc from 2,000 cc and TT$67.50 above 3,499 cc.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to Trinidad and Tobago?
- No, except in the cases allowed by section 45(2) of the Customs Act. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive, so they meet the rule.
- How many cars can an individual import into Trinidad?
- One vehicle in a 4-year period. The individual must order and land it personally, and cannot transfer ownership during that period.
- Can I import a used hybrid car from Japan to Trinidad?
- Yes, if it is no more than 3 years old from the year of manufacture. Hybrids also have separate Motor Vehicle Tax treatment under the Finance Act 2020.
- How long does shipping from Japan to Port of Spain take?
- Around 24 to 36 days at sea, depending on the vessel and its stops. Customs clearance and the Transport Commissioner inspection follow arrival.
- How do I register an imported car in Trinidad and Tobago?
- After customs clearance, the Transport Commissioner inspects the car and certifies it as roadworthy. It can then be registered and plated.
Sources
- Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism — Trade Licence Unit — checked 15 October 2026
- Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism — Personal Vehicles 2026 — checked 15 October 2026
- Customs and Excise Division — Notice to Importers No. 1 of 2021 (Finance Act 2020) — checked 15 October 2026
- Customs and Excise Division — Duties and Payment — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for Trinidad and Tobago
Loading calculator…
Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.