Exporting a JDM Vehicle or Parts from Japan

Japanese domestic market vehicles, known worldwide as JDM, are among the most sought-after exports Japan has. Right-hand drive, low mileage by global standards and models never sold abroad make them irresistible. Exporting one is entirely possible, but the rules are set as much by your own country as by Japan. This guide sets out the process and the pitfalls before you commit.

Start with your own country's rules

Eligibility is decided at the destination, and it should be confirmed before anything is bought.

• United States. Vehicles at least 25 years old are exempt from federal safety standards. Age is counted from the month and year of manufacture, not the model year. Emissions rules and state registration, especially in California, are separate hurdles, and some states restrict kei trucks and kei cars.
• Canada. Vehicles at least 15 years old can be imported without meeting Canadian safety standards.
• United Kingdom. There is no age bar. Vehicles more than ten years old are generally exempt from individual approval but need a roadworthiness test and registration with the DVLA.
• Australia. Imports need a Vehicle Import Approval, either under the specialist and enthusiast scheme or the 25-year concession. Australia also bans asbestos, which was used in brake and gasket parts of many older cars, and border inspections are strict.
• New Zealand. A long-established JDM market with its own entry certification and compliance process.

How the process runs

1. Inspection and grading. Most Japanese cars sold through the trade come with an inspection sheet giving an overall grade, an interior grade and a diagram of marks, dents and rust. Have it translated in full; the hand-written notes often matter most.
2. Purchase and payment. Allow for the car, Japanese consumption tax where it applies, inland transport to the port and dealer fees.
3. Export deregistration. The Japanese registration is cancelled and an export certificate is issued (輸出抹消仮登録証明書). This document, with an English translation, is what your customs and registration authorities will ask for.
4. Shipping. Roll-on roll-off vessels are usually cheapest. Container shipping costs more but protects the car and allows parts to travel with it.
5. Arrival. Customs entry, duty and tax, quarantine cleaning where required, then compliance and registration in your country.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Rust. Japan is not uniformly rust-free. Cars from Hokkaidō, Tōhoku and the Sea of Japan coast see road salt in winter. Ask for underbody photographs.
• Mileage. Japan records odometer readings at each roadworthiness inspection. A clear history supports the reading; gaps deserve questions.
• Modifications. Engine swaps and heavy modification can complicate eligibility, particularly under United States emissions rules.
• Cleanliness. Australia and New Zealand reject vehicles carrying soil, seeds or insects. Underbody steam cleaning before shipping saves costly treatment on arrival.
• Total cost. Shipping, duty, compliance work and registration can equal a large share of the purchase price. Budget the whole journey, not the car alone.

Parts, wheels and memorabilia

Parts are a simpler way into JDM culture, and we cover them in detail in JDM Parts from Japan. Wheels, body panels, interior trim and badges travel well, but some items are classed as dangerous goods: airbags, seat-belt pretensioners, batteries and anything that has held fuel or oil. These need specialist shipping or cannot travel by post at all. Large pieces such as bumpers and wings usually travel as freight.

Explore Liberty Walk and scale models and display replicas, and read our guide to importing large and high-value pieces. Questions about a specific part or piece go to the curator desk.