Japanese Used Cars to the United Kingdom
The UK drives on the left, so Japanese right-hand drive vehicles need no conversion, and demand is strong for well-kept low-mileage cars and JDM performance models. HR Trading ships to Southampton, Felixstowe and Tilbury, and gives you the documentation and the tax picture before you commit.
Destination Port
Southampton, Felixstowe, Tilbury
Shipping Time
30–45 days
Shipping Method
RoRo / Container
United Kingdom Import Rules at a Glance
Drive side
Right-hand drive — correct for UK roads with no conversion needed
Age / mileage rules
No age limit, but vehicles under 10 years old normally need Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) unless they meet an exemption
Inspection & compliance
IVA at a VCA test station for newer vehicles, then an MOT before registration
Duties & taxes
Customs duty at 10% plus 20% VAT on the total cost including shipping, with relief available in some cases
Import rules and duty rates do change. Confirm the current position with your customs broker or clearing agent before you commit, and we will match the vehicle to the rules you tell us.
How an Import to United Kingdom Works
- 1
Confirm the approval route — vehicles 10 years or older can often avoid IVA, while newer imports normally need an IVA test.
- 2
We source the vehicle and translate the auction sheet, which carries real weight on a UK-spec purchase.
- 3
The car ships RoRo or in a container to Southampton, Felixstowe or Tilbury.
- 4
You or your agent complete the customs entry; duty at 10% and 20% VAT are assessed on the total cost including freight.
- 5
The vehicle is presented for IVA where required and MOT, then registered with the DVLA using form V55/5.
IVA, MOT and Registration
A Japanese import under ten years old normally requires Individual Vehicle Approval, tested at a VCA station for lighting, brakes, structure, seatbelts and glazing. Vehicles ten years or older are usually outside IVA but still need an MOT before they can be registered, and anything modified must be declared. Once approval and MOT are in place you register with the DVLA using form V55/5. We supply the Japanese export certificate and de-registration, which is what the DVLA needs to see.
Duty and VAT
The UK assesses customs duty at 10% on the vehicle plus shipping and insurance, then charges 20% VAT on that total — so VAT applies to the freight as well as the car, which surprises many first-time importers. There is no trade agreement relief on Japanese-origin vehicles, though returning residents and some personal-transfer cases can qualify for relief. Budget for the tax to be a substantial share of your landed cost and ask us for a worked estimate.
Shipping and UK Ports
Transit from Japan to the UK runs about 30 to 45 days depending on the routing and whether the vessel tranships in Europe. Southampton and Felixstowe handle most vehicle traffic, with Tilbury and Grangemouth also used. Container shipping is common for this route and protects the car on a long voyage; we quote both RoRo and container.
What UK Buyers Choose
The UK market splits between everyday value and JDM enthusiasm. Rust-free Toyota Land Cruisers and HiLuxes are sought after, while Skylines, Supras, MX-5s and Imprezas attract buyers who specifically want a Japanese-market example with the original specification. Underside condition is the single most important factor on a UK purchase, which is why we send underside photographs of every vehicle before shipping.