Can I freely import a used car from Japan to Türkiye?

No — commercial import of used vehicles into Türkiye is heavily restricted and requires official ministry permission and conformity certification. It is not a straightforward open-market import. Contact our team to assess whether your specific situation qualifies.

What taxes apply to importing a car to Türkiye?

An indicative 10% customs duty applies, plus 20% VAT on the imported value, plus the ÖTV Special Consumption Tax that varies significantly by engine displacement and tax base. The ÖTV is often the largest charge. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Japanese cars are right-hand drive — does that affect import to Türkiye?

Yes. Türkiye drives on the right, so right-hand-drive vehicles require conversion to left-hand drive for road registration. This is a cost and process step that our team factors into the full quote when assessing eligibility.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Türkiye

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Importing used vehicles into Türkiye is subject to significant restrictions. Commercial used-car imports require official ministry permission and conformity certification, and the process is permit-based rather than open to any buyer. Türkiye also drives on the right, and Japanese domestic stock is right-hand drive — converting to left-hand drive for Turkish road registration is a further practical requirement. The tax structure includes an indicative 10% customs duty and 20% VAT on the imported value, plus a Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) that varies by engine displacement and the vehicle's tax base — making the total tax burden the most important figure to model before committing. When you reach out to import a car from Japan to Türkiye, our licensed team assesses your specific eligibility, confirms whether the required permits can be obtained, and gives you an honest picture of what is and is not possible before any step is taken.

Main ports: Derince
Import age rule: Türkiye drives on the RIGHT (LHD). Used/second-hand passenger cars require Ministry of Commerce permission which is NOT granted for ordinary individual/commercial imports — used-car import is effectively closed except transfer-of-residence, inheritance, disabled-person schemes, or classic cars (1980 or older). Figures below are illustrative of what WOULD apply if a car cleared customs.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: The decisive cost is ÖTV (Özel Tüketim Vergisi, special consumption tax), which is 70–220% of the CIF+duty value by engine size, NOT the modest 10% duty + 20% KDV. Post-July-2025 petrol ÖTV: ~75% ≤1400cc, ~85% 1400–1600cc, 150% 1600–2000cc, 220% >2000cc. KDV (20%) then compounds on CIF + duty + ÖTV, so total tax runs ~130% of CIF for a small car and ~320% for a large SUV. Used-car imports by individuals are restricted, so treat all figures as illustrative.

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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 Türkiye

Contact us to confirm eligibility
Because commercial used-car import into Türkiye is permit-based and right-hand-drive vehicles require conversion, the first step is a consultation with our team to confirm whether your situation qualifies under current Turkish regulations.
Ministry permission and conformity
If eligible, our team guides the process of obtaining the required import permission from the Turkish Ministry, and manages the conformity certification needed for the vehicle to be registered.
We source the vehicle from Japan
Once eligibility is confirmed, our team uses its licensed USS auction access to source the right vehicle, read the auction sheet and verify condition before any bid is placed.
Ocean shipping to Derince
The vehicle is shipped to the Port of Derince, Türkiye's main roll-on/roll-off terminal near Istanbul. We provide the sailing schedule and tracking.
Customs, duty, VAT and ÖTV at Derince
On arrival our team handles the customs declaration, pays customs duty, 20% VAT and the applicable ÖTV (Special Consumption Tax) based on the vehicle's engine and tax base.
Registration and delivery
We manage Turkish registration formalities — including any required left-hand-drive conversion — and arrange delivery to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya or your location.

Import duties & taxes in Türkiye explained

Türkiye applies an indicative 10% customs duty on imported passenger cars, though the actual rate depends on the vehicle's origin and HS code. On top of duty comes 20% VAT on the imported value, plus the ÖTV (Özel Tüketim Vergisi / Special Consumption Tax), which varies significantly by engine displacement and the vehicle's tax base — and can be the largest single charge. The combination of duty, VAT and ÖTV means the total tax burden is substantial and must be calculated specifically for your vehicle. Because the exact charges depend on the car's origin, engine and declared value, our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Türkiye

Honda Fit
Small engine displacement keeps the ÖTV bill lower — a practical option for buyers where eligibility and permits can be confirmed.
See prices
Mazda Demio
Compact hatchback with a modest engine size — sits in a lower ÖTV band and keeps the total tax burden more manageable.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and affordable with low engine displacement — one of the more straightforward Japanese imports where permits can be obtained.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Dependable compact sedan — well-known in the Turkish market, which can help with servicing and parts availability after import.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Türkiye

Derince — You are at the port, so inland delivery for a sedan runs only about $100.
Istanbul — Delivery from Derince to Istanbul adds roughly $150 for a sedan.
Bursa — Delivery from Derince to Bursa adds roughly $160 for a sedan.
Ankara — Delivery from Derince to Ankara adds roughly $240 for a sedan.
Izmir — Delivery from Derince to Izmir adds roughly $280 for a sedan.
Antalya — Delivery from Derince to Antalya adds roughly $320 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I freely import a used car from Japan to Türkiye?: No — commercial import of used vehicles into Türkiye is heavily restricted and requires official ministry permission and conformity certification. It is not a straightforward open-market import. Contact our team to assess whether your specific situation qualifies.
What taxes apply to importing a car to Türkiye?: An indicative 10% customs duty applies, plus 20% VAT on the imported value, plus the ÖTV Special Consumption Tax that varies significantly by engine displacement and tax base. The ÖTV is often the largest charge. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.
Japanese cars are right-hand drive — does that affect import to Türkiye?: Yes. Türkiye drives on the right, so right-hand-drive vehicles require conversion to left-hand drive for road registration. This is a cost and process step that our team factors into the full quote when assessing eligibility.