Import a car from Japan to Australia
Australia drives on the left, so Japanese RHD cars fit perfectly — but you need ROVER import approval before the car ships, plus an eligible RAV entry pathway (most models via the SEVS list; a 25+ year-old car has a separate concessional pathway). We bid at the auctions on eligible units, handle export and ship to Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane; you complete RAV approval and state registration.
A strict but rewarding market for RHD Japanese cars
What Australia requires
Australia requires an import approval through ROVER before shipping, and the vehicle must qualify under an eligible RAV entry pathway — most used imports via the SEVS list, or a separate concessional pathway once the car is 25+ years old. There is no blanket 30-year maximum. Every import also passes a biosecurity quarantine check.
ROVER approval & RAV pathway
A ROVER import approval is required before the car ships, under an eligible RAV pathway — the SEVS list for most models, or the 25+ year concessional pathway. We check every lot against the register before you bid.
Right-hand drive
Australia drives on the left and uses RHD cars — the Japanese market matches by default.
Quarantine & compliance
On arrival the car is steam-cleaned and inspected by biosecurity (DAFF), then fitted with an approved compliance plate before state registration.
Duty, GST & RAV fees at your end. Australia charges 5% import duty, 10% GST (and Luxury Car Tax above the threshold), plus a RAV approval fee and state registration. Duty, GST and RAV approval are paid to the Department of Infrastructure, the Australian Border Force and DAFF; state registration is paid to your state transport authority — none of this is in the JapanAuc landed cost, so confirm current rates before buying.
How to import to Australia with JapanAuc
Register & set a budget
Sign up free and place a refundable deposit. Tell us your target model and budget, and that it’s headed to Australia.
Find eligible cars
We filter the auctions to RHD units already on the RAV SEVS list — or 25+ years old for the concessional pathway — and translate the auction sheet so you bid with confidence. We do not ship until ROVER approval is granted.
Win & inspect
We bid on your behalf. On winning, the car moves to our yard for real yard-in photos and export preparation.
Pay the balance invoice
After you’ve seen the yard-in photos, settle the balance (hammer price + commission + export + freight) by bank transfer, Wise or PayPal.
Export & ship
We complete export deregistration, book RoRo or a container to Melbourne, and send you the Bill of Lading and full document pack.
Clear at Melbourne
Your Australian customs broker pays the import duty, GST and RAV fees and registers the car with your state transport authority. We help with any document you need.
Osaka · Kobe
Japan → Melbourne
Cars for Australia sail by RoRo or in a container from Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka or Kobe to Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane — only once ROVER approval is granted.
Models buyers ask for
Nissan Skyline GT-R
A SEVS-listed legend — one of Australia’s most sought JDM imports.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70/76/79
Tough workhorse with a huge Australian following.
Suzuki Carry / Honda Acty
Popular farm and property runabout once 25+.
Mitsubishi Delica
Cult 4×4 camper for outback touring.
Your JapanAuc landed cost to Melbourne
Everything JapanAuc charges is in Japanese yen and transparent: the hammer price you win at, our commission (flat ¥35,000 up to ¥1,000,000, then 3.5%), the Export Package (auction-house fee + inland transport + export handling), then ocean freight. Added up, that’s your CIF Melbourne price.
Australian import duty, GST, Luxury Car Tax (if applicable) and RAV/state registration are charged separately on arrival — not part of our quote. Use the calculator for a live CIF figure, then add your local clearing costs.
Importing to Australia — common questions
Yes — a ROVER import approval must be granted before the car ships. We only book freight once approval is confirmed.
Usually, unless the car qualifies for the 25+ year concessional pathway or another RAV pathway (such as personal effects). There is no blanket 30-year maximum. Most enthusiast and specialist Japanese models — GT-Rs, Supras, Delicas — are already SEVS-listed; we check every lot against the register before you bid.
Yes — Australia drives on the left and uses RHD vehicles, matching Japan.
Australia’s biosecurity authority (DAFF) steam-cleans and inspects every imported vehicle for soil, seeds and pests before it clears customs.
Roughly 14–24 days to Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, depending on the sailing.
Ready to import your car to Australia?
Register free, tell us your model, and we’ll find eligible cars at the source.