Importing a Car from Japan to the UK

Japan is the world's biggest source of enthusiast car imports — and the UK is one of its biggest destinations. Whether you're after a Nissan Skyline GT-R, a Toyota Supra, a Mazda RX-7, a Land Cruiser, or a kei truck, the process of getting a car from a Japanese auction hall to a UK driveway is well established, but it involves customs duty, VAT, NOVA notifications, and DVLA registration that catch first-timers out.

This guide covers the full end-to-end process from bidding in Japan to driving on UK roads. For a detailed line-by-line cost breakdown, see our Japan car import costs guide — this post focuses on the process itself.

Why Import from Japan?

Japanese domestic market (JDM) cars are prized by UK buyers for good reasons:

• Icons never sold new in the UK — Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32/R33/R34), Toyota Supra RZ, Mazda RX-7 Spirit R, Honda NSX Type R, Toyota Chaser, Nissan Silvia
• Pristine condition — Japan's strict shaken inspection regime, covered parking culture, and low annual mileages mean cars are typically in far better condition than UK equivalents of the same age
• Genuinely low mileage — average annual mileage in Japan is roughly half the UK figure, and odometer readings are independently verified at auction
• The auction grading system — every auction car gets an independent condition grade and detailed inspection sheet, giving far more transparency than a private UK sale
• Right-hand drive — Japan drives on the left, so JDM cars are RHD with left-dipping headlights. No LHD compromises, no headlight conversion in most cases
• Kei cars and trucks — Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and other kei vehicles have a cult following and are cheap to buy and run
• 4x4s and utility vehicles — Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux Surf models in rust-free condition are far easier to find in Japan than the UK

Step 1: Buying in Japan — Auctions, Agents & Documents

Around 90% of exported Japanese used cars are sourced through the country's enormous dealer-only auction network — USS (the largest, with sites across Japan), TAA, JU, HAA and others sell tens of thousands of cars every week.

Tip: The chassis number on the export certificate must match the plate on the car exactly. JDM cars often have shorter chassis numbers (e.g. BNR34-000123) rather than 17-character VINs — that's normal, and DVLA accepts them, but any mismatch between documents will stall your registration.

Buying Outside the Auctions

Some UK JDM specialists hold stock in Japan or sell landed cars already in the UK. You'll pay a premium over auction sourcing, but the importer handles customs, NOVA, and often registration — worth considering for a first import. Japanese dealer platforms (Goo-net Exchange, TradeCarView) also sell direct to export buyers, though pricing is usually above auction level.

Step 2: Shipping to the UK

Allow 4-8 weeks on the water plus 1-3 weeks in Japan for inland transport, export inspection, and vessel booking. Sailings to Southampton and Bristol (Portbury) run regularly; your agent or a UK freight forwarder will confirm the schedule.

Step 3: UK Customs — Duty & VAT

Japan is outside the UK's customs territory, so your car must clear customs on arrival before you can collect it.

Customs Clearance in Practice

Your shipping line or a customs agent (typically £200-500 including port handling) submits the import declaration on your behalf. You'll receive a Movement Reference Number (MRN) and customs paperwork — keep these for your NOVA declaration. Duty and VAT are usually paid before the port releases the car.

Classic vehicles over 30 years old in original condition may qualify as historic collector's items: 0% duty and 5% VAT instead of 10% + 20%. This is a significant saving on older JDM classics — a 1993 R32 GT-R or an FD RX-7 can qualify. Your customs agent can advise whether the vehicle meets HMRC's criteria.

Want to model the numbers for your own car? Use our free UK car import duty & VAT calculator.

Step 4: NOVA — Notify HMRC Within 14 Days

For full details, see our NOVA application guide. You can also read the official guidance on importing vehicles into the UK (gov.uk).

Step 5: Vehicle Approval — The 10-Year Rule

This is where Japanese imports get a major break compared with what many first-timers expect.

Modifications Japanese Imports Typically Need

Here's the good news: because Japan drives on the left, JDM cars are right-hand drive with left-dipping headlights — the same as UK cars. This is a huge advantage over LHD imports from the USA or Europe.

Step 6: MOT & Insurance

MOT: If the car is over 3 years old (which covers almost every JDM import), it needs a UK MOT before registration. A Japanese shaken certificate is not accepted as a substitute. You can legally drive an unregistered import directly to a pre-booked MOT or IVA test — that's the only road use allowed before registration. Maximum MOT fee: £54.85.

Insurance: You must insure the car before driving it on UK roads, including the trip to the MOT. Since the car has no UK registration number yet, insurers cover it on the chassis number/VIN. Mainstream comparison sites often can't quote on imports — use specialists like Adrian Flux, Keith Michaels, or Sky Insurance, all well known for JDM cover. Agreed-value policies are worth considering for appreciating classics like GT-Rs and Supras.

Step 7: DVLA Registration (V55/5 Form)

Key V55/5 Tips for Japanese Imports

• Date of first registration: Use the Japanese first registration date from the export certificate — not the date you're registering in the UK. Japanese documents use the imperial era calendar (e.g. Heisei 7 = 1995); the certified translation should convert this, but double-check
• Chassis number: JDM cars often have short chassis numbers (e.g. BNR34-000123) rather than 17-character VINs. Copy exactly as shown on the export certificate
• Registration plate age identifier: A car registered by first-registration date gets an age-appropriate plate — a 1996 import gets a 1996-style registration, not a new one
• Vehicle tax class: Imports without a UK-recognised CO2 figure fall into the Private/Light Goods (PLG) engine-size bands; cars over 40 years old are VED-exempt and can be registered as Historic

The V55/5 is where most import registrations succeed or fail — DVLA rejects applications with mismatched chassis numbers, wrong dates, or missing documents, adding weeks of delay. Our complete V55/5 form guide walks through every box, or use our guided V55/5 service which validates everything before you post it.

Cost Summary: Worked Example

For the full line-by-line breakdown with multiple examples, see our dedicated Japan car import costs guide. Here's a quick worked example for orientation:

Step-by-Step Timeline

Common Mistakes to Avoid

This guide covers the standard process for importing a passenger vehicle from Japan to Great Britain as of July 2026. Regulations can change — always verify current requirements with DVLA, DVSA, and HMRC, including the official gov.uk vehicle import guidance. Northern Ireland has different rules due to the Windsor Framework. Consider professional advice for complex imports or high-value vehicles.

Related Guides

• Japan Car Import Costs: Complete Breakdown
• IVA Test UK: Complete Guide
• NOVA Application: 14-Day Deadline Guide
• UK Import Duty & VAT Calculator
• Complete V55/5 Form Guide
• What Happens After Submitting Your V55/5
• Importing a Car from the USA to the UK
• Importing a Car from Germany to the UK