Checked against official sources on 9 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the details for your shipment when you book.
The short version
- Check the car can come in. Most used Japanese cars need to be on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEV) Register, be at least 25 years old, or qualify as your personal import.
- Apply for import approval in ROVER before the car is shipped. The fee is $95.
- Make sure there's no asbestos in it before it leaves Japan. Gaskets, brake pads, clutch facings and seals are the usual problems.
- Ship it, RoRo or in a container. We book the space and handle the Australian end.
- Clear customs and biosecurity, pay duty and GST, then deliver it to your door or your compliance workshop.
1. Which import pathway fits your car
| Pathway | Who it suits | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| SEV Register (via a RAW) | Most JDM imports under 25 years old | The model is on the SEV Register with an approved Model Report. A Registered Automotive Workshop modifies it, a verifier checks it, and it goes on the Register of Approved Vehicles before registration. |
| Older vehicles | Cars built 25 or more years before you apply | Proof of the build date, such as the original sales document, a deregistration certificate, or a photo of the VIN or compliance plate. |
| Personal import | Australians and permanent residents moving home from Japan | You owned and regularly used the car for 12 months in a row while living overseas, you apply within 6 months of arriving, and you haven't used this pathway in the last 5 years. |
Importing a road vehicle without an approval is an offence, so don't ship until it's granted.
2. Import approval
Apply in the Department of Infrastructure's ROVER system before the car is shipped. The department has up to 30 business days to decide, though its own figures for April to June 2026 show median decisions of about 4 to 7 days for SEV and non-RAV entry approvals. The clock stops if they ask you for more information.
3. Asbestos
Importing asbestos into Australia is banned, and foreign tolerance levels aren't accepted at the border. Older Japanese cars and cars not built for the Australian market are the highest risk. The safest approach is to replace suspect parts (brake pads, gaskets, clutch facings) before shipping and keep the paperwork. A supplier's letter alone isn't accepted as proof; if Border Force holds the car for sampling, you pay the testing and storage.
4. Stink bug season
From 1 September to 30 April, Australia applies brown marmorated stink bug measures to RoRo ships and to vehicles from risk countries. Japan has recently been treated as an emerging risk country, with more random inspections rather than mandatory treatment, but the rules are reviewed each season. We confirm what applies to your sailing when you book.
5. What you'll pay the government
- Customs duty: Japanese-made passenger cars can come in duty free under the Japan–Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, with origin evidence. Otherwise duty is 5% of the customs value.
- GST: 10% of the customs value plus duty plus international freight and insurance.
- Luxury car tax: 33% of the amount above the threshold. For 2026–27 the thresholds are $91,661 for fuel-efficient cars and $80,809 for other cars.
- Import approval: $95, plus your RAW or compliance costs if the car goes through the SEV pathway.
Our import tax calculator estimates duty, GST and luxury car tax for your car.
6. Shipping from Japan
Cars ship roll-on roll-off from the major Japanese ports, or in a container if you're sending parts with it or want it fully enclosed. RoRo from Japan to Australian ports usually takes around three to four weeks, depending on the port and the sailing. We book the space, lodge the import declaration, organise biosecurity inspection, and deliver to you or your workshop.
Importing a car? We handle it end to end.
Import approval help, asbestos checks, shipping, customs, biosecurity and delivery to your door or compliance workshop.
Common questions
Can I import any car from Japan?
No. Most used cars under 25 years old must be a model on the SEV Register, or qualify as your personal import. Cars 25 years or older can come in under the older vehicles pathway. Check before you buy.
How long does a Japan import take?
Allow for the import approval (often a week or two, up to 30 business days), about three to four weeks on the ship, then a few days for customs and biosecurity. SEV cars then spend time at the workshop before registration.
Do Japanese cars have asbestos?
Some older cars and cars built for other markets have asbestos in gaskets, brake pads or clutch facings. It's banned in Australia, so have suspect parts replaced before shipping and keep the evidence.
Is there duty on a car from Japan?
Japanese-made passenger cars can be duty free under the Japan–Australia trade agreement with origin evidence. GST of 10% still applies, and luxury car tax applies above the threshold.
- Department of Infrastructure: vehicles modified by a Registered Automotive Workshop
- Department of Infrastructure: importing an older vehicle (25 years or older)
- Department of Infrastructure: importing a vehicle as personal effects
- Department of Infrastructure: Regulatory Report, July 2026 (decision times)
- Department of Infrastructure: asbestos in imported vehicles
- Australian Border Force: asbestos risk when importing a vehicle
- DAFF: BMSB measures for vessels
- DFAT: JAEPA outcomes at a glance
- ATO: luxury car tax rate and thresholds