Importing a Car to Japan from the UK: Shaken, Consumption Tax and Yokohama

Japan charges no import duty at all on passenger vehicles from most trading partners, and only 10% consumption tax on the vehicle's assessed value plus freight and insurance — on paper, one of the more favourable tax regimes in this guide. However, the real cost and complexity lies in the Shaken (車検) roadworthiness certification, a rigorous biennial inspection covering emissions, lighting, structural integrity and safety equipment that every imported vehicle must pass before registration.

UK vehicles not originally built to Japanese specification often require modifications to headlight beam pattern, emissions equipment and sometimes even mirror or indicator positioning to pass Shaken, so factor this into your budget and timeline from the outset.

Beyond consumption tax, Japan levies a Weight Tax (Jidosha Juryozei) calculated by the vehicle's kerb weight in 0.5-tonne bands, payable at the time of Shaken and renewed with each inspection cycle. Heavier UK-built SUVs and executive saloons fall into higher weight bands and pay proportionally more, while smaller hatchbacks and kei-adjacent cars benefit from lower rates.

An annual Automobile Tax is also charged by the prefecture based on engine displacement, again rising in bands, so larger-engined UK imports face a noticeably higher ongoing tax burden than in many other markets — this is one reason Japan's domestic market favours smaller-displacement engines.

RORO and container sailings run from Southampton and Tilbury to Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka, typically taking 6–8 weeks with transhipment via a Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian hub on most carrier schedules. Direct sailings are rare on this route, which adds to the overall transit time compared to more heavily trafficked corridors.

RORO costs for a standard vehicle run from roughly £1,700–£2,500, while a sole-use 20ft container typically costs £2,400–£3,400 including UK haulage. Use our cost calculator for a tailored quote, and plan for a longer overall timeline than routes to Europe or North America.

You'll need the original V5C or export certificate, a commercial invoice, bill of lading, and — critically — full technical specifications or a certificate of conformity to support the Shaken application, since Japanese inspectors will need to verify emissions compliance against recognised standards. Left-hand-drive conversion is not required as Japan drives on the left, which is a notable advantage for UK exporters compared to most of the rest of the world.

A licensed customs broker at the port of entry handles the import declaration and consumption tax assessment, and can advise in advance whether your specific model is likely to need significant modification to pass Shaken.

Once Shaken-certified, the vehicle is registered with the local Land Transport Office, and you'll need to secure a parking certificate (shako shomeisho) proving you have a legal, registered parking space before registration can be completed — a requirement unique to Japan that catches many overseas buyers off guard.

Ongoing costs include the biennial Shaken renewal (typically JPY 100,000–200,000 including inspection, tax and mandatory insurance), the annual Automobile Tax, and compulsory third-party insurance (Jibaiseki), all of which should be factored into any long-term cost comparison against a Japanese-market vehicle.