Yes, you can import a used car from Japan to Guyana in 2026, and there is no maximum age limit. Since 1 February 2025, though, every used vehicle needs a Vehicle Inspection Certificate from Auto Terminal Japan (ATJ), and the car is cleared at Georgetown through the Guyana Revenue Authority’s ASYCUDA World system by a licensed customs broker.
Key takeaways
- Guyana removed its age limit on 1 October 2020. Age now only decides which tax band the car falls into.
- Every used vehicle needs an ATJ Vehicle Inspection Certificate (mandatory since 1 February 2025). Without it the car may not be released.
- The certificate is uploaded to ASYCUDA World with the customs declaration, made by a licensed customs broker.
- You need a Guyana TIN, and the bill of lading must show the car’s full details.
1. Understand how age works in Guyana
There is no maximum age for used cars. The old ban on vehicles 8 years or older ended on 1 October 2020.
Age still matters for tax. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) puts vehicles into bands: under 4 years old, and 4 years and older. Age is counted up to 1 January of the year you import the car.
Budget 2026 measures, in effect from 16 February 2026, changed the tax treatment for some vehicle categories. Tax also depends on the type of vehicle and its engine. Check GRA’s motor vehicle guide or ask your broker for an estimate before you buy.
Our landed cost checklist lists everything that adds up to the final cost, so you can compare cars properly.
2. Choose the car
Because there is no age limit, you can choose from a wide range of years. Newer cars may fall into a different tax band, so check both the price and the likely tax.
Browse our full stock of Japanese used cars. Ask us to confirm the year of manufacture and first registration of the exact car before you pay, because the year affects your tax band.
Guyana drives on the left, and right-hand-drive Japanese cars are the usual choice.
Read the auction sheet before you commit. Our auction sheet guide explains grades and damage codes. For the auction route, see how to buy a car from a Japanese auction.
Pay only by bank transfer to an account in Japan whose beneficiary is Autocom Japan Inc. Read how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan before you send money.
3. Get the ATJ Vehicle Inspection Certificate
All used vehicles shipped to Guyana must be inspected before shipment. Auto Terminal Japan (ATJ) is the only authorised issuer of the certificate.
This rule has applied since 1 February 2025. GRA says the Vehicle Inspection Certificate is uploaded to ASYCUDA World with the customs declaration. Without it, the vehicle may not be released.
The inspection takes place in Japan before loading. Tell our team at the start that the car is going to Guyana, so the inspection is booked before the car ships.
4. Get your TIN and check other approvals
You need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from GRA to clear a car.
We did not find a separate vehicle import licence for private buyers in Guyana. Rules can change, so check with GRA or your customs broker before you buy, especially if you are importing for business or importing several vehicles.
If you are a returning resident or buying under a special scheme, ask GRA which extra documents apply to you.
5. Ship the car to Georgetown
Cars for Guyana arrive at Georgetown, for example at the GNIC or John Fernandes wharves.
GRA requires the bill of lading to show the car’s chassis number or VIN, engine number, make, year, colour, and whether it is new or used. Check these details with us before the bill of lading is issued; a mistake here can hold up clearance.
For the choice between Ro-Ro and container, see Ro-Ro vs container shipping. For the current schedule to Georgetown, ask our office. To see what a quoted price includes, read FOB, C&F and CIF prices explained.
6. Declare and clear through ASYCUDA World
A licensed customs broker files the declaration for you in ASYCUDA World and uploads the documents.
Have these ready:
- Bill of lading (with the vehicle details listed above)
- Commercial invoice
- Your TIN
- Cancellation of registration (the Japanese Export Certificate), where required
- ATJ Vehicle Inspection Certificate
GRA assesses duties and taxes from the declaration. Pay only through the official channels your broker and GRA give you.
The Japanese Export Certificate is issued when the car is deregistered in Japan. Our guide to the Japan Export Certificate explains what it shows. For a country-by-country list, see the import documents checklist and the Guyana import rules hub.
How Autocom serves Guyana
We serve buyers in Guyana from our head office in Yokohama. You can reach the team on WhatsApp at +81 90 7180 6415.
We supply the invoice, the Export Certificate and the bill of lading, and arrange the car for the ATJ inspection. The TIN, the declaration and the clearance in Georgetown are handled by you and your broker.
To check that you are dealing with the real company, read how to verify a Japanese car exporter before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an age limit for used cars in Guyana?
No. The age limit was removed on 1 October 2020. Age now only decides the tax band: under 4 years, or 4 years and older, counted to 1 January of the year of import.
Can I import a 12-year-old car to Guyana?
Yes, there is no maximum age. It still needs the ATJ Vehicle Inspection Certificate, and an older car falls into the 4-years-and-older tax band.
What happens if the car arrives without an inspection certificate?
GRA says the vehicle may not be released without the Vehicle Inspection Certificate. The inspection is done in Japan before shipment, so make sure it is booked before the car is loaded.
Do I need an import licence?
We did not find a separate vehicle import licence for private buyers. Check with GRA or your customs broker before you buy, because requirements can change.
Can I clear the car myself?
The declaration is filed in ASYCUDA World by a licensed customs broker. Choose a broker before the car arrives so the documents are ready.
Sources
- Guyana Revenue Authority: Removal of the age limit on used vehicles (2020)
- Guyana Revenue Authority: Mandatory pre-shipment inspection of used vehicles (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- Guyana Revenue Authority: Motor vehicle imports (checked 1 Oct 2026)
- Auto Terminal Japan: Vehicle inspections (checked 1 Oct 2026)
