JDM Import Cost Calculator
Estimate the total landed cost to import a JDM vehicle from Japan to your country. Duty rates sourced from official customs authorities.
Calculate your import costs
Import duty rates by country
| Country | Import duty | GST / VAT |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2.5% | — |
| Canada | 6.1% | 5% |
| United Kingdom | 6.5% | 20% |
| Australia | 5.0% | 10% |
| New Zealand | 0% (NZFTA) | 15% |
| Mexico | 10.0% | 16% |
Duty rates sourced from official customs tariff schedules, current as of 2026-05-12. Verify with a licensed broker before importing.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this calculator?
The calculator produces planning-level estimates. Import duty rates are sourced from government customs tariff schedules as of 2026-05-12. Shipping and broker costs are midpoint estimates from industry ranges and will vary by carrier, port, and broker. Use the output as a starting point; verify with a licensed customs broker before purchasing.
Does the 25-year rule apply to all US imports?
The 25-year exemption (49 CFR §591.5 and 40 CFR §85.1511) applies to vehicles that were manufactured 25 or more years before the date of import, exempting them from FMVSS and EPA emissions standards. Vehicles under 25 years require formal DOT/EPA conformance, which is expensive and rarely feasible for private imports.
What is Canada's 15-year rule?
Vehicles 15 or more years old at the time of import are exempt from Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) under Transport Canada's Vehicle Importation Program. This makes many 2010 and older JDM vehicles eligible for straightforward import without full compliance modification.
Why is New Zealand duty listed as 0%?
New Zealand applies a 0% import tariff on passenger vehicles from Japan under the NZ–Japan Free Trade Agreement (NZFTA), confirmed via NZ Customs. GST of 15% still applies on the customs value (CIF).
What fees does this calculator not include?
Registration and licensing fees (vary by state/province/territory), vehicle inspection fees, compliance modification costs (e.g. headlight conversion, bumper modifications for UK IVA), auction fees if purchasing at Japanese auction (typically 3–5%), and currency exchange risk on JPY-denominated prices.
Data sources
- United States
- Duty: https://hts.usitc.gov/ (Chapter 87, heading 8703)
- Canada
- Duty: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2024/01/t2024-01-84-88-e.html · GST/VAT: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/publications/b-027.html
- United Kingdom
- Duty: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/headings/8703 · GST/VAT: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pay-vat-on-imports-and-exports
- Australia
- Duty: https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/tariff-classification/current-tariff/schedule-3 · GST/VAT: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/gst-excise-and-indirect-taxes/gst/in-detail/rules-for-specific-transactions/cars-and-other-vehicles
- New Zealand
- Duty: https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/tariff/ · GST/VAT: https://www.customs.govt.nz/business/import-entry/gst-duty-and-other-levies/
- Mexico
- Duty: https://www.sat.gob.mx/tramites/17164/importacion-de-vehiculos · GST/VAT: https://www.sat.gob.mx/consultas/17145/iva
- Shipping cost ranges
- Industry broker averages (not government-sourced). Japan RoRo export ports: Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya. Ranges as of 2026 Q1. Verify current rates with your freight forwarder.
Last verified: 2026-05-12. Customs regulations change. This calculator is provided for planning purposes only; it does not constitute customs or legal advice. Consult a licensed customs broker in your country before importing.
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