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Import cost calculator

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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).

Q: 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.

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

Estimated costs — Japan to United States

Estimated total landed cost

$30,344

13% above purchase price — midpoint estimate

Import cost breakdown for United States
Cost component	Amount (USD)	Basis
Vehicle price (FOB Japan)	$26,928	Your input
Shipping (Japan → United States)	$1,700	Range: $1,200–$2,200 · midpoint shown
CIF value (customs basis)	$28,628	FOB + shipping
Import duty (2.5%)	$716	2.5% of CIF
GST / VAT	—	No federal VAT (US); state tax at registration
Port / terminal handling	$350	Estimate — varies by port
Customs broker / agent fees	$650	Range: $400–$900 · midpoint
Total estimated landed cost	$30,344

United States import notes

Vehicles must be 25+ years old to be exempt from FMVSS and EPA emissions standards (49 CFR §591.5 and 40 CFR §85.1511). Vehicles under 25 years require formal conformance or "show or display" exemption (extremely limited, <5 cars/year). EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 required at entry. State-level registration requirements and smog checks apply separately.

Age exemption: Vehicles 25+ years old may qualify for a simplified import pathway.

Duty source: hts.usitc.gov

What this estimate does not include

Vehicle inspection and compliance modification costs (headlights, bumpers, emissions systems)
State, province, or territorial registration and licensing fees
RoRo vs container shipping choice (~$300–$800 difference depending on port)
Japanese auction purchase fees if buying at auction (typically 3–5% of hammer price)
Currency exchange risk on JPY-denominated purchase price
Insurance during transit (recommended; typically 1–1.5% of vehicle value)

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Import duty rates by country

JDM vehicle import duty and tax rates by destination country
Country	Import duty	GST / VAT	Age exemption	Shipping (USD)
United States	2.5%	—	25 years	$1,200–$2,200
Canada	6.1%	5%	15 years	$1,400–$2,500
United Kingdom	6.5%	20%	None	$3,000–$5,000
Australia	5.0%	10%	None	$1,800–$3,200
New Zealand	0% (NZFTA)	15%	None	$1,600–$2,800
Mexico	10.0%	16%	None	$2,000–$3,500

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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