Japan's domestic market vehicles — often called JDM — have a passionate following among UK car enthusiasts. Japanese Performance cars such as the Nissan GT-R, Toyota Supra, Subaru WRX and Mazda RX-7 are highly sought after in their home market. For UK drivers looking to sell their right-hand drive car to a Japanese buyer, or buy from Japan, understanding the export and import process in 2026 is essential.

Can You Export a Right-Hand Drive Car from the UK to Japan?

Yes — unlike importing a left-hand drive US car to the UK, exporting a right-hand drive UK car to Japan is relatively straightforward because Japan drives on the left side of the road and uses right-hand drive vehicles. Many JDM enthusiasts in the UK already own Japanese-specification vehicles, but exporting a UK-registered car to Japan involves both the UK export process and the Japanese import requirements.

Japan Vehicle Import Requirements 2026

Japan has strict import regulations for foreign-registered vehicles. Key requirements include:

Age Restrictions

Japan's vehicle inspection regime — called Shaken — is expensive and complex. Foreign vehicles over a certain age face restrictions. In 2026, most foreign vehicles imported to Japan must be less than 5 years old from the date of first registration, or they may face significant challenges passing Shaken inspection or be restricted from registration altogether.

Type Approval and Compliance

Japan requires vehicles to meet specific safety and environmental standards. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism sets the standards, and vehicles must either:

  • Meet Japanese domestic standards — the Japan Safety Standards (JSS)
  • Have an equivalent foreign standard recognised as compliant
  • Undergo individual vehicle inspection to verify compliance

First Registration Tax

Japan imposes a First Registration Tax on all vehicles registered in the country. This tax is based on the vehicle's weight and engine displacement, and can be substantial — typically equivalent to several thousand pounds. For high-performance vehicles with large engines, the First Registration Tax alone can exceed GBP 5,000.

Shipping a Car from the UK to Japan

Two main shipping methods are used:

  • RORO: Vehicle is driven onto the vessel. More common for new or used cars in running condition. Cost: GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,000.
  • Container: Vehicle loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container. Recommended for classic or high-value vehicles. Cost: GBP 2,500 to GBP 5,000.

Shipping from the UK to Japan takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. UK ports with regular car carrier services include Southampton, Felixstowe and Liverpool.

Export Documentation

To export a car from the UK, you will need:

  • Export notification: Notify DVLA of the export using the V5C/2 form
  • Original V5C registration certificate: Surrendered to DVLA on export
  • Export certificate: Issued by DVLA confirming the vehicle's export
  • Proof of identity: Passport and driving licence
  • Bill of lading: Issued by the shipping company once the vehicle is loaded

Japanese Import Documentation

Japan's import process requires extensive documentation:

  • Original foreign registration certificate
  • Export certificate from the country of origin
  • Bill of lading
  • Purchase invoice
  • Japanese import declaration form
  • Proof of compliance with Japanese standards

Total Cost Estimate

Exporting a UK car to Japan involves costs on both sides:

  • UK export costs: DVLA notification (small admin fee), shipping from GBP 1,500 to GBP 5,000
  • Japanese import duties: Customs duty of around 5-6 percent, plus consumption tax
  • First Registration Tax: Variable by weight and engine size — GBP 1,000 to GBP 8,000+
  • Inspection and compliance: JPY 100,000 to JPY 300,000 for inspection and modification costs
  • Agent fees: Using a Japanese import agent is strongly recommended — typically GBP 500 to GBP 2,000

Why UK Drivers Export to Japan

For UK drivers, the most common reason to export to Japan is selling a right-hand drive Japanese-import car back to its home market. JDM-specification cars often command higher prices in Japan than in the UK, particularly for rare performance variants and limited editions that were never officially sold in the UK.