How do you import a car from Japan to Venezuela, and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
Approx. duty 20%, VAT 16%, other levies 1% on the imported value. Placeholder only; tariff depends on HS, policy and importer eligibility.
Car import duty calculator for Venezuela
Japan's auction stock is right-hand drive. We do not convert steering. For Venezuela 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.
Venezuela drives on the right and requires LHD vehicles. On paper, import duty is approximately 20% and VAT is 16%, making the headline tariff rate one of the lower ones in South America — but in practice the import process for a Japanese used car is heavily constrained by Venezuela's regulatory environment. Import licensing, currency controls, sanctions exposure and payment logistics can make clearing a vehicle at Puerto Cabello highly unpredictable, and the rules and policy are subject to frequent change.
Can you import a used car from Japan to Venezuela?
- Steering
- Left-hand drive only
- Age limit
- Vehicle import rules and currency/customs procedures are volatile; broker confirmation required before quoting.
- Inspection
- Import license, customs clearance, registration; sanctions/payment/logistics constraints
- Permits
- Unclear / approval-dependent
- Entry ports
- Puerto Cabello
How do you import a car from Japan to Venezuela, step by step?
Check the import rules
Vehicle import rules and currency/customs procedures are volatile; broker confirmation required before quoting. Venezuela requires left-hand-drive vehicles, so ordinary right-hand-drive Japanese stock cannot be registered there.
Obtain the import permit
Unclear / approval-dependent.
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 Venezuela.
Complete the required inspection
Required for Venezuela: Import license, customs clearance, registration; sanctions/payment/logistics constraints.
Ship to Puerto Cabello
Cars from Japan arrive at Puerto Cabello. Sea transit is about 40–55 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, VAT / GST and Other levies; 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 Venezuela's vehicle registration authority.
What import duties and taxes does Venezuela charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 20% | CIF value |
| VAT / GST | 16% | CIF + duty + earlier taxes |
| Other levies | 1% | CIF value |
Import duty
Rate: 20%. Charged on: CIF value.
VAT / GST
Rate: 16%. Charged on: CIF + duty + earlier taxes.
Other levies
Rate: 1%. Charged on: CIF value.
Venezuela's headline import duty is approximately 20%, VAT is approximately 16%, and other levies around 1% may apply — these are placeholder figures only. The actual tariff depends on the HS classification, the importer's authorisation category and current policy. Venezuela's regulatory and payment environment is volatile, so these rates should be treated as indicative.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Venezuela?
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Cabello | RoRo or container | 40–55 | US$2,800 |
Which cars from Japanese auctions can be registered in Venezuela?
- 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 Venezuela?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Cabello | Puerto Cabello | US$100 | US$120 | 1 |
| La Guaira | Puerto Cabello | US$220 | US$280 | 2 |
| Caracas | Puerto Cabello | US$220 | US$280 | 2 |
| Maracaibo | Puerto Cabello | US$400 | US$500 | 3 |
| Valencia | Puerto Cabello | US$160 | US$200 | 1 |
| Barquisimeto | Puerto Cabello | US$240 | US$300 | 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 car from Japan to Venezuela?
- In principle yes, but Venezuela's import licensing, currency controls and payment logistics make the process highly uncertain.
- What import duty applies in Venezuela?
- Approximately 20% import duty, 16% VAT and other levies of around 1% are cited in the packet — these are indicative figures only.
- Does Venezuela require left-hand-drive cars?
- Yes. Venezuela drives on the right, so LHD vehicles are required.
Car import duty calculator for Venezuela
Loading calculator…
Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.