Importing Japanese Vehicles to Australia

Q: Which Japanese cars can I legally import to Australia?

Vehicles 25+ years old qualify as personal imports. Newer cars must be on the SEVS (Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme) register or imported through a RAW (Registered Automotive Workshop). Common eligible models include the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, and Mazda RX-7.

Q: How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Australia?

Budget 15–25% on top of the purchase price: 5% import duty, 10% GST on the landed value, AQIS inspection, compliance/ADR work, plus state registration and stamp duty. Luxury vehicles above the LCT threshold attract additional tax.

Q: What is AQIS clearance and how long does it take?

AQIS (now part of the Department of Agriculture) inspects every vehicle for biosecurity risk — soil, seeds, organic matter. We pre-clean vehicles in Japan, so most pass on the first inspection at the Australian port, typically within a few days of arrival.

Q: How long is shipping from Japan to Australia?

RoRo shipping runs about 2–3 weeks to Sydney and Melbourne; Brisbane and Fremantle can add a few days depending on the schedule.

Australia is one of the strongest markets for Japanese vehicles, but eligibility is the gate: a car must be 25+ years old for a personal import, or appear on the SEVS list / be RAW-approved. Get that right and the rest — AQIS biosecurity, compliance, registration — is a well-trodden path.

Browse Vehicles Full Australia import guide

Shipping time

2–3 weeks

Main ports

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle

Eligibility

25+ years old (personal import) or SEVS/RAW-approved

Taxes

5% import duty + 10% GST (LCT may apply above the luxury threshold)

Best Japanese vehicles to import to Australia

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32/R33/R34)

The defining JDM import — R32/R33 are well past 25 years; iconic and strong-holding value.

Toyota Supra (A80) & Mazda RX-7 (FD)

Blue-chip enthusiast imports now age-eligible as classics.

Toyota Land Cruiser (70/80 Series)

Rugged, in demand for rural and touring use across Australia.

Kei trucks (Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet)

Popular on farms and properties; cheap to run and easy to land.

What goes into the landed cost

Vehicle purchase + inland transport in Japan
5% import duty on customs value
10% GST on (customs value + duty + shipping)
AQIS biosecurity inspection (pre-cleaned to speed clearance)
Compliance / ADR certification via a licensed workshop
State registration and stamp duty

Why import through Japan Convoy

Vehicles pre-cleaned in Japan to pass AQIS biosecurity first time
We connect you with licensed compliance workshops for ADR certification
Full Japanese export document pack for smooth DVS/registration

The import process, step by step

1
Browse & request a quote
Find matching listings on the marketplace and contact verified sellers for pricing, photos, and inspection reports — no on-site checkout, wholesale "contact for pricing".
2
Inspection & confirmation
Our team inspects the item in Japan, verifies condition and documentation, and confirms the final landed-cost estimate for your country.
3
Export documentation
We prepare the export certificate, invoice, bill of lading, and any destination-specific paperwork required for clearance.
4
Shipping
RoRo or container shipping from the nearest Japanese port to your destination port, with tracking the whole way.
5
Clearance & delivery
We hand off to your customs broker with a complete document pack, and coordinate final delivery or collection.

Australia Vehicles import FAQ

Which Japanese cars can I legally import to Australia?

How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to Australia?

What is AQIS clearance and how long does it take?

How long is shipping from Japan to Australia?

Related import guides

Ready to import Japanese vehicles to Australia?

Browse verified listings and request a quote — quality inspection and managed export included.

Browse Vehicles How it works