Yes, you can import a used car from Japan into an EU country. The car is declared to customs where it enters the EU, customs duty and import VAT are paid, and then, because a Japan-market car usually has no EU Certificate of Conformity, it needs an individual approval from your national authority before it can be registered.
Key takeaways
- The car goes through customs when it enters the EU. Customs duty is charged on the car’s customs value (the price plus costs up to the EU border), and import VAT is added on top.
- A car built for Japan usually needs an individual vehicle approval: in Germany, for example, an expert report under §21 StVZO.
- Japanese cars are right-hand drive. Ask your national approval authority what a right-hand-drive car needs before you buy.
1. Check that the car can be approved in your country
Registration is the hard part, not shipping. Every EU country checks that a car meets EU technical rules before it is registered.
A car sold new in Europe comes with an EU type approval and a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). A car built for the Japanese market normally has neither, so it goes through individual vehicle approval. EU Regulation 2018/858 defines this as the procedure where an approval authority certifies that one particular vehicle meets the requirements, either under EU individual approval or national individual approval.
In practice, an inspection body tests the car. The Dutch authority RDW, for example, says it must approve each vehicle without type approval individually, and lists lighting, mirrors, horns, tyres and noise among the common reasons for rejection. Japanese cars are right-hand drive, so ask your authority what it will check on such a car before you buy.
Most EU countries drive on the right. Ireland, Malta and Cyprus drive on the left; see our guide to importing a car from Japan to Cyprus. If you live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, read our UK import guide instead.
You can browse cars in Japan on our used car stock page. Some European-brand cars sold in Japan are left-hand drive, for example in our BMW stock. Autocom has no office in the EU, so you deal directly with our head office in Yokohama (sales@autocj.co.jp, +81-45-227-7095).
2. Declare the car to customs and pay duty and import VAT
Any car bought outside the EU pays customs duty and import VAT, like other imported goods. Your national customs and tax authority handles the declaration, payment and any relief.
The car is presented to customs where it enters the EU. Your customs agent clears it there or moves it under customs control to be cleared in your own country. Customs duty is calculated on the customs value, which is the value of the car plus all costs incurred up to the EU border. VAT is then charged on top. Rates differ between countries and change, so we don’t quote them. Ask your customs agent or national customs service before you buy.
The EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) can give preferential duty treatment to goods that meet its origin rules. Origin is proved either by a statement on origin that the exporter makes on the invoice or another commercial document, or by the importer’s own knowledge. Ask your customs agent whether your car can qualify and what proof they need. Tell us before we issue the invoice, because issued invoices are not changed.
Our landed cost checklist lists every part of the final price, and FOB, C&F and CIF explained shows what our price includes.
3. Get the approval, then register the car
After customs releases the car, you book the approval inspection, insure the car and apply for registration.
Keep the original documents safe. You will usually need the invoice, the bill of lading, proof of customs clearance and the original Japanese registration document. For an exported car, this is the Japan export certificate.
4. Country notes: Germany, Austria and Belgium
These short notes come from official sources. Your local office can ask for more, so always check with them.
Germany
For a used vehicle imported from outside the EU, the Berlin registration service asks for the original documents, including:
- A full expert report with technical data sheet under §21 StVZO (individual approval), not older than 18 months, or the manufacturer’s CoC
- Proof of a valid general inspection (HU) under §29 StVZO
- The customs clearance certificate (Zollunbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung)
- The electronic insurance confirmation (eVB)
- The foreign vehicle registration papers and proof of ownership, such as the purchase contract
The §21 report comes from a technical inspection body (for example TÜV or DEKRA).
Austria
The official Austrian portal lists the steps for a car from a non-EU country: customs clearance with an electronic import declaration, payment of the fuel consumption tax (NoVA) to the responsible tax office, approval of the imported car (Typisierung) through the technical inspection authority, and then registration.
Belgium
Belgian customs explains that formalities depend on where the car enters the EU, and that you may need a customs representative to submit the import declaration. Import duties are based on the customs value (the car plus costs up to the EU border), and VAT is added. Once duties and VAT are paid, you apply for form E705 through MyMinfin, which you need to register the car.
Buying safely from Japan
Ask for the auction sheet and photos before you pay, so there are no surprises at the approval inspection.
Pay only into a bank account in Japan whose beneficiary is “Autocom Japan Inc.” (see the official list on our bank accounts page). Any request to pay someone else is fraud. Read how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a right-hand-drive Japanese car in Germany or Belgium?
That depends on the individual approval. The inspection checks items such as lighting and mirrors, so ask the approval authority what a right-hand-drive car needs before you buy.
Where do I pay customs duty and VAT?
The car goes through customs when it enters the EU, and is cleared either there or, under customs control, in your own country. Your national customs and tax authorities tell you what is due and whether any relief applies.
Does the EU–Japan agreement remove duty on my car?
The EPA gives preferential treatment to goods that meet its origin rules, proved by a statement on origin or the importer’s knowledge. Ask your customs agent whether your used car qualifies.
Does a car from Japan come with a Certificate of Conformity?
A Japan-market car usually does not have an EU CoC. That is why it goes through individual approval, such as a §21 StVZO report in Germany.
Does Autocom have an office in Europe?
No. European buyers deal directly with our head office in Yokohama, and payments go only to Autocom Japan Inc. bank accounts in Japan.
Sources
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- Your Europe: VAT when buying or selling a car (last checked by publisher 13 Jul 2026)
- European Commission, Access2Markets: EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (version 31 Jul 2026)
- RDW (Netherlands): Getting a car from outside the EU approved (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- Service Berlin: Registration of a used vehicle imported from a non-EU state (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- oesterreich.gv.at: Kfz-Import aus Drittländern (updated 1 Jan 2026)
- Belgian customs: Registration of a vehicle purchased outside the EU (checked 1 Oct 2026)
