Cyprus drives on the left, so right-hand-drive Japanese cars suit its roads with no conversion. Japan also offers a large supply of low-mileage, inspected cars, from compact hybrids to MPVs and European models. And 2026 brought a change that makes Japanese import cars in Cyprus better value: cars built in Japan can now enter at 0% import duty.
Our Vehicle Sourcing Team has supplied Japanese used cars to dealers and private buyers in Cyprus for years, alongside the UK, Ireland, Pakistan and the USA. This guide covers the current costs, then gives a 10-point checklist for choosing a Japanese car supplier, with extra notes for dealers and for private buyers.
a car from Japan pays 19% VAT in Cyprus and, unless it is Japan-built with a statement on origin, 10% import duty. There is no excise duty. Registration tax and road tax depend on CO2 emissions. Choose a supplier that provides the statement on origin, original Japanese registration documents, the auction sheet and an itemised CIF quote.
| Charge | Rate | Charged on |
| Import duty, Japan-built cars | 0% from 1 February 2026, with a statement on origin | CIF value |
| Import duty, other cars | 10% | CIF value |
| VAT | 19% | CIF value plus duty |
| Excise duty | None since 22 March 2019 | - |
| Registration tax and road tax | Based on CO2 emissions | Paid at and after registration |
Sources: GrandCarSale guide, citing the Cyprus Department of Customs and Excise and AutoCJ. CIF means the car price plus insurance and freight to Cyprus.
The 0% duty applies to cars manufactured in Japan, not every car bought in Japan. A European car bought at a Japanese auction usually still pays 10%. As an illustration, on a car with a CIF value of EUR 10,000:
| Car | Duty | VAT (19%) | Duty and VAT total |
| Japan-built, with statement on origin | EUR 0 | EUR 1,900 | EUR 1,900 |
| European-built, bought in Japan | EUR 1,000 | EUR 2,090 | EUR 3,090 |
Registration tax, road tax, port and clearance charges come on top. Our 2026 import cost breakdown covers the full list.
Check the supplier's company registration, used goods dealer licence and office address in Japan. Our guide on how to choose a reliable Japanese car supplier explains how.
Without it, a Japan-built car pays 10% duty instead of 0%. Ask the supplier to confirm it will be included with the shipping documents before you buy.
Cyprus needs the original registration or export certificate from Japan to register the car. Copies are not enough.
These let you check grade, mileage and damage before paying. Use our auction sheet translator and our guide to checking history by chassis number.
Registration tax and annual road tax in Cyprus depend on CO2 emissions, which the Road Transport Department confirms after import. A low-emission hybrid can cost much less to register and run than a large petrol MPV, so ask for the expected CO2 figure when comparing cars.
Duty and VAT are calculated on CIF, so you need the car price, insurance and freight listed separately. A single round figure makes your tax bill impossible to predict.
Ask whether the car will go by RoRo or container, and which port it will arrive at. Typical shipping from Japan to Cyprus takes 3 to 5 weeks. Our Cyprus page has current shipping details.
Pay only by bank transfer to the supplier's company account in Japan. Read our guide to deposits, payments and avoiding scams.
The invoice and bill of lading should name the person or business that will clear and register the car. Correcting names after shipping causes delays.
Check independent reviews, and notice how quickly and clearly the supplier answers questions before you pay. That is how it will behave if something goes wrong.
Dealers buying regularly should ship several cars together to lower freight per car, and set written buying rules for grade, mileage and price. VAT-registered businesses may be able to reclaim import VAT, subject to Cyprus VAT law (P. Panagi guide), so check with your accountant. Our trade buyer's guide and guide to bulk orders and container costs cover both in detail.
Cyprus Customs advises contacting the Road Transport Department before you import, to confirm the car can be registered. If you are moving to Cyprus, you may qualify for transfer-of-residence relief from duty and VAT on one car (Zeno Legal), so check your eligibility with Customs before buying. For your first import, a supplier that handles everything up to arrival in Cyprus is usually simpler than an auction-only agent.
Japan-built cars pay 0% duty from 1 February 2026 when a statement on origin is presented. Other cars from Japan usually pay 10%. VAT at 19% applies either way.
No. Cyprus has not charged excise duty on imported motor vehicles since 22 March 2019.
Usually 3 to 5 weeks at sea, plus time for buying, export paperwork and customs clearance.
Yes. Cyprus drives on the left, so right-hand-drive cars suit its roads, subject to the Road Transport Department's registration checks.
Browse Japanese used cars for sale, follow our Japanese car auctions, or request a specific car for Cyprus. For dealer orders or questions, contact us through our contact page. You can read what other buyers say on our testimonials page.
Nobuko Japan Vehicle Sourcing Team
Our sourcing team has 14 years of experience in Japanese used vehicles, auction bidding and vehicle sourcing. The team buys at Japanese auctions and from leasing and rental sources every week, and supplies dealers and private buyers in Cyprus, the UK, Ireland, Pakistan and the USA. This guide reflects the questions Cyprus buyers ask us most often before importing.
Last reviewed: November 2026.
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