Import a car from Japan to the UK
The UK accepts both right- and left-hand-drive vehicles, so Japanese RHD cars fit straight in — from JDM icons to practical imports. We bid at the auctions, handle export and ship to Southampton; you declare to HMRC via NOVA, complete IVA where required, and register with the DVLA.
A natural home for right-hand-drive Japanese imports
What the UK requires
The UK accepts both RHD and LHD imports and sets no fixed age limit, so the main steps are declaring to HMRC through NOVA, completing IVA where required, paying VAT and duty, and registering with the DVLA.
No fixed age limit
The UK sets no fixed maximum age for imports — from modern hybrids to 1990s JDM classics, all can be registered once approved. Vehicles over 10 years old may qualify for an approval exemption rather than a full IVA test.
Right-hand or left-hand drive
The UK accepts both RHD and LHD vehicles, so Japanese cars need no steering conversion.
NOVA, IVA & DVLA
Imports must be declared to HMRC through NOVA, approved where required (usually IVA for a non-EU vehicle), then registered and plated by the DVLA.
Duty, VAT & IVA at your end. The UK charges import duty (typically 10%) and 20% VAT on cars, plus IVA and DVLA registration fees. These are paid to HMRC / DVLA and are not in the JapanAuc landed cost — confirm current rates before buying.
How to import to the UK 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 the UK.
Find eligible cars
We filter the auctions to the RHD or LHD car you want — modern or classic — and translate the auction sheet so you bid with confidence.
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 Southampton, and send you the Bill of Lading and full document pack.
Clear at Southampton
Your UK customs agent pays the import duty and VAT and registers the car with the DVLA. We help with any document you need.
Osaka · Kobe
Japan → Southampton
Cars for the UK sail by RoRo or in a container from Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka or Kobe to Southampton or another UK port.
Models buyers ask for
Toyota Alphard
Roomy luxury MPV — a huge UK import hit.
Nissan Skyline GT-R
The JDM legend, endlessly sought in the UK.
Mazda Bongo
Cult camper-conversion favorite.
Honda Civic Type R
Hot-hatch icon with a loyal following.
Your JapanAuc landed cost to Southampton
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 Southampton price.
UK import duty, 20% VAT, the IVA test and DVLA 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 the UK — common questions
No — the UK sets no fixed maximum age. Both modern cars and older JDM classics can be registered once approved; vehicles over 10 years old may qualify for an approval exemption rather than a full test.
Most non-EU imports need an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) before DVLA registration, after first declaring the vehicle to HMRC through NOVA. Some older or exempt cars use different routes.
Yes — the UK accepts both right- and left-hand-drive vehicles.
Import duty (typically 10%) and 20% VAT, plus IVA and registration fees — all paid to HMRC / DVLA and outside our CIF quote.
Roughly 35–50 days to Southampton, depending on the sailing.
Ready to import your car to the UK?
Register free, tell us your model, and we’ll find eligible cars at the source.