Blog · Japan
Importing a car from Japan to Europe: duty, VAT, type approval and the real costs
Good news first: thanks to the EU–Japan trade agreement, the 10 % customs duty on cars built in Japan has fallen to 0 % as of February 2026. That makes JDM imports noticeably cheaper. What remains are VAT, shipping, type approval and the registration tax of the country you live in – and those differ a lot. Here is the full picture.
Customs duty: 0 % with proof of origin
The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement phased out the car tariff over seven years; from 1 February 2026 it is 0 %. The condition is a statement of origin on the exporter's invoice (or a REX number) proving the car was built in Japan. Without it, customs charges the standard 10 %. The UK has its own deal with Japan: 0 % as well, with the same origin rule. Switzerland and Norway are not in the EU but also have free-trade agreements with Japan.
VAT: paid at the border, rate of your country
Import VAT is charged on the car's value plus shipping and insurance, at the rate of the country where the car is cleared: 19 % in Germany, 21 % in the Netherlands, Spain and Belgium, 20 % in the UK and France, 25 % in Denmark and Sweden. On a €20,000 car with €2,000 shipping that is €4,180 in Germany and €5,500 in Denmark. It is paid before the car leaves the port; a customs broker handles it for €250–€500.
Shipping from Japan
RoRo to Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Antwerp or Southampton costs about €1,500–€2,500, a shared container €2,000–€3,500, and takes 6–9 weeks. Add the exporter's fee in Japan (€300–€700), de-registration (export certificate) and marine insurance (1.5–2 % of value).
Type approval: the real hurdle
A Japanese-market car has no EU type approval (CoC), so it needs an individual approval: in Germany a § 21 Vollgutachten at TÜV/DEKRA (€300–€800 plus modifications), in the Netherlands an RDW individual inspection (around €300–€500), in the UK the IVA test (£450–£600). Typical modifications: km/h speedometer, EU-pattern headlights, rear fog light, sometimes side repeaters and an E-marked exhaust. Budget €500–€2,000 for approval and modifications; much more for cars with no European equivalent. Cars older than 30 years can often use the easier "historic" route.
Registration tax: the country decides
After approval comes the national registration tax – zero in Germany, modest in the UK and France, large in the Netherlands (BPM, based on CO₂; a 2015 sports car can be €5,000–€15,000), Denmark (registreringsafgift, up to 150 %) and Portugal (ISV). For a JDM import this tax often matters more than shipping and VAT together, so check the destination before you buy.
Worked example: 2005 Mazda RX-8, €12,000, to Germany
Exporter fee and Japanese costs: €600. RoRo to Bremerhaven: €1,900. Insurance: €200. Duty with statement of origin: €0 (€1,470 without it). German import VAT 19 % on €14,700: €2,793. Broker and port: €400. § 21 approval and modifications: €1,200. Registration and plates: €80. Landed and registered: about €19,200. The same car to the Netherlands adds BPM of roughly €4,000–€6,000.
Our free calculator does this for 19 destination countries, including the national registration tax.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there still import duty on Japanese cars in the EU?
No – since 1 February 2026 the tariff under the EU–Japan agreement is 0 %, provided the invoice carries a statement of origin. Without it customs charges 10 %.
Do I pay VAT when importing a car from Japan?
Yes, import VAT at the rate of the country where the car is cleared (19–25 %), calculated on the car value plus shipping and insurance.
Can I register a Japanese car without a CoC?
Yes, via an individual approval (§ 21 in Germany, RDW inspection in the Netherlands, IVA in the UK). Expect modifications such as a km/h speedometer and EU headlights.
Which EU country is cheapest to import a JDM car into?
Germany is usually cheapest to register (no registration tax); the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal are the most expensive because of CO₂-based registration taxes.
