How do you import a car from Japan to Uruguay, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Uruguay's decisive vehicle tax is IMESI (a specific excise that rises with engine size — roughly 23% on a small petrol car up to ~46% on a large one), on top of the ~23% extra-Mercosur import duty and 22% IVA. Stacked, that puts landed tax well above 80% of CIF for most cars.
Car import duty calculator for Uruguay
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Uruguay 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.
Uruguay restricts the normal private import of used vehicles. Under standard Mercosur rules and domestic policy, an individual buyer cannot simply order a used car from Japan and clear it through Montevideo — special regimes, returning-resident provisions or sector-specific authorisations are required. For new vehicles or eligible cases, the Mercosur common external tariff is around 23% duty, plus 22% VAT, plus an IMESI internal excise that varies by vehicle type. When a qualifying buyer wants to import a car from Japan to Uruguay, AskJapanCars can source the right vehicle at licensed USS auction, handle shipping to Montevideo and co-ordinate with a Uruguayan customs broker for clearance.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Uruguay?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Uruguay drives on the right (LHD). Ordinary individual used-car import is restricted (new cars via authorized importers, or the returning-resident franchise), and Japanese domestic stock is RHD.
- Inspection
- Import permit/authorization, customs, registration
- Restrictions
- Used cars restricted for ordinary individual import; RHD not registrable.
- Entry ports
- Montevideo
How do you import a car from Japan to Uruguay, step by step?
Check the import rules
Uruguay 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 Uruguay.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Uruguay: Import permit/authorization, customs, registration.
Ship to Montevideo
Cars from Japan arrive at Montevideo. Sea transit is about 38–50 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, IMESI and IVA; 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 Uruguay's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Uruguay charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty (extra-Mercosur CET) | 23% | CIF value |
| IMESI (excise, engine cc) | 23%–46% by engine size | CIF + import duty |
| IVA (VAT 22%) | 22% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
Import duty (extra-Mercosur CET)
Rate: 23%. Charged on: CIF value.
IMESI (excise, engine cc)
Rate: 23% up to 1,000 cc; 28.75% up to 1,500 cc; 34.5% up to 2,000 cc; 46% above 2,000 cc. Charged on: CIF + import duty.
IVA (VAT 22%)
Rate: 22%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Uruguay generally restricts used-car imports for private individuals — the applicable regime depends on your eligibility. For eligible or new-vehicle imports the Mercosur common external tariff is approximately 23% import duty, plus 22% VAT and an IMESI internal excise that varies by vehicle type. The exact combined figure depends on the car's value, type and the applicable trade regime.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Uruguay?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | RoRo or container | 38–50 | US$1,700 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Uruguay?
- Models and prices
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.
How much is inland delivery to cities in Uruguay?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo | Montevideo | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| Salto | Montevideo | US$420 | US$520 | 3 |
| Paysandu | Montevideo | US$360 | US$450 | 2 |
| Punta del Este | Montevideo | US$210 | US$260 | 2 |
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
- Can I import a used Japanese car to Uruguay?
- Not through the general import route. Uruguay restricts standard used-car imports for private individuals. Special regimes, returning-resident provisions or sector authorisations are required.
- What duty applies to car imports in Uruguay?
- For eligible or new-vehicle imports, approximately 23% import duty and 22% VAT apply, plus IMESI excise that varies by vehicle type.
- Does Uruguay accept right-hand-drive cars?
- Uruguay drives on the right, so LHD vehicles are required. Japan's domestic stock is RHD, so a LHD configuration must be sourced.
Car import duty calculator for Uruguay
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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.