Japanese Car Import Regulations by Region

Every country sets its own rules for importing a used car. Three things matter most before you bid: age, steering, and inspection. We check all three against your market on every car.

Age limits vary widely

• No limit: UK, Ireland, Norway, Hong Kong — any age can be imported (subject to local tests/tax).
• Newer only: Singapore (3 years or less at registration), Kenya (under 8 years from first registration) — cars must be recent.
• Duty steps up with age: Tanzania (higher excise over 8 years). Guyana removed its general 8-year cap in October 2020, but still requires an ATJ inspection certificate.
• Classic exemptions: USA (25-year rule), Canada (15-year rule) — once a car reaches the exemption age, it becomes eligible for import and exempt from federal safety rules.

Right-hand vs left-hand drive

Japan is right-hand drive (RHD), which matches most of our markets (UK, Ireland, Kenya, Tanzania, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jamaica, Guyana, Cyprus). LHD-market countries (USA, Canada, Norway) still allow RHD once a car meets their classic-age exemption or registration rules.

Pre-export inspection

Some markets require a roadworthiness inspection in Japan before shipping:

• Kenya — QISJ / KEBS
• Tanzania — TBS Certificate of Roadworthiness (PVoC)
• Jamaica — ATJ pre-shipment inspection (PSI)

We arrange the inspection and include the certificate in your document pack.

Check your market

Rules change, so confirm current requirements before bidding — each country import guide has the age rule, steering, inspection, port, transit time, and duties for that market. We flag a car’s age and eligibility on every auction sheet.