Japan to UK Car Import Costs 2026

This is the numbers-only companion to our Japan-to-UK JDM guide. Every cost line, every 2026 rate, plus three worked examples (Nissan Skyline R32, Toyota Supra A80, Toyota Land Cruiser 100) so you can budget accurately before bidding at USS or TAA.

Every item on the invoice:

• Auction hammer + fees: JPY hammer + ~¥60,000 auction fee
• Japan inland + port handling: £200–£350
• Ocean freight: £1,395 RoRo / £1,595 shared / £2,450 20ft / £3,150 40ft (two cars)
• Marine insurance: 1.5% of insured value
• UK terminal + de-vanning: £150–£250 (if container)
• UK duty: 10% of CIF
• UK VAT: 20% (or 5% for 30+ year classics)
• HMRC agent + NOVA: £150–£250
• IVA: £450 (only if under 10 years)
• MoT + DVLA V55/5: £55 first registration + £54 MoT

Purchase and land 1991 R32 GT-R:

• Hammer: ¥2,400,000 (~£12,700)
• Auction + inland: £850
• Shared container: £1,595
• CIF ~£15,145 → Duty 10% = £1,515
• VAT 20% = £3,332 (car is 34 years old; qualifies for 5% VAT £833 as historic)
• HMRC agent: £200, MoT + DVLA: £109
• Total (5% historic VAT): ~£18,600 landed

1997 twin-turbo Supra RZ:

• Hammer: ¥4,200,000 (~£22,200)
• Auction + inland: £950
• 20ft sole-use container: £2,650
• CIF ~£25,800 → Duty 10% = £2,580
• VAT 20% = £5,676 (car under 30 yrs, full-rate VAT)
• HMRC agent + reg: £309
• Total: ~£37,000 landed

2002 100-series diesel:

• Hammer: ¥1,600,000 (~£8,500)
• Auction + inland: £700
• Shared container: £1,995
• CIF ~£11,195 → Duty 10% = £1,120
• VAT 20% = £2,463
• HMRC agent + reg: £259
• Total: ~£15,040 landed

Budget shipping £1,395–£3,850 + Japan-side £700–£950 + HMRC 10% duty + 20% VAT (5% for 30+ years) + £109 DVLA/MoT + £450 IVA if under 10 years. Historic status on 30+ year JDM icons is the single biggest saving.

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