Honduras Car Tax Calculator 2026

The Central American Customs Union (CAUCA) establishes standardised import duties for member countries including Honduras. Passenger vehicles face CAUCA duties of 0-15% depending on engine displacement and vehicle category.

Large displacement vehicles (over 3000cc) face the highest CAUCA duties of 10-15%, while compact vehicles under 2000cc may qualify for 0-5% rates. The classification system considers engine capacity, vehicle type, and intended use (private vs commercial), with commercial vehicles generally attracting lower rates.

Vehicles from CACM member countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua) benefit from intra-regional trade preferences, reducing CAUCA duties further. This makes purchasing a vehicle in Guatemala and importing to Honduras a viable strategy for some buyers.

The Special Consumption Tax (Impuesto Selectivo de Consumo, ISC) of 5-15% applies to vehicles based on their CIF value, with higher-value vehicles attracting higher rates. This tax significantly increases the total cost of new and luxury vehicles, making mid-range vehicles more cost-effective for budget-conscious buyers.

The ISC base includes the CIF value plus CAUCA import duty, creating a compound tax structure. For a vehicle with CIF of $20,000 and 10% CAUCA duty ($2,000), the ISC base would be $22,000.

Electric vehicles are exempt from ISC under Honduras's environmental promotion framework, representing a meaningful saving for buyers considering electric options. The exemption applies to fully electric vehicles meeting specific battery capacity and range requirements.

The ISV (Impuesto Sobre Vehiculos) is an annual circulation tax based on the vehicle's assessed value and engine capacity. Rates range from 0.5% for economy vehicles to 1.5% for luxury vehicles.

The GNN (Gobernacion y Desarrollo Territorial) fee of 0.2% applies to vehicle registration and funds national police and territorial administration. This is charged at registration and annually alongside the ISV renewal.

Third-party motor insurance is mandatory in Honduras and costs approximately 2,000-8,000 HNL annually for standard vehicles. Comprehensive insurance is available but significantly more expensive given road safety concerns and vehicle theft rates in urban areas.

Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger pickup trucks dominate the Honduran market for their combination of practicality, durability, and reasonable tax treatment. These vehicles are popular for both personal and commercial use and benefit from strong dealer networks throughout the country.

Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla remain the most popular passenger vehicle choices, offering good fuel efficiency and manageable tax exposure for their engine sizes. US-spec models from Florida dealers are widely available and benefit from established logistics routes to Honduras.

Electric vehicles represent an emerging opportunity given ISC exemptions and reduced annual ISV rates. Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV models are beginning to appear in the Honduran market, offering compelling total-cost-of-ownership figures despite higher upfront prices.

Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador all operate under CAUCA, creating broadly similar vehicle import duty structures. However, ISC rates and annual ISV assessments vary between countries, making cross-border price comparisons worthwhile for significant vehicle purchases.

Guatemala tends to have the lowest overall vehicle prices due to its larger market and more competitive dealer networks. Purchasing a vehicle in Guatemala City and importing to Honduras can save 5-15% despite CAUCA duties, particularly for high-value vehicles.

El Salvador's use of the US dollar eliminates exchange rate risk and often results in more stable pricing. However, its smaller market means fewer vehicle choices compared to Guatemala and Honduras.

Enter the vehicle's CIF value in HNL or USD to begin. The calculator converts between currencies and applies the current exchange rate.

Select the vehicle type, engine capacity, and fuel type to determine CAUCA duty bands and ISC rates. The calculator automatically applies the correct duty rate for your vehicle classification and estimates ISC based on value brackets.

Review the complete breakdown including CAUCA duty, ISC, GNN fee, port handling, and municipal registration. Add ISV annual tax and insurance estimates for the full ownership cost picture.