Customs duty
10% of customs value
Importing a Car from Japan to Germany
Germany is Europe's largest car market and a strong destination for Japanese imports, with clear — if detailed — rules for approval and registration.
Last updated: · By Japonic Trade
Key facts
VAT
19%
Approval
Individual approval (Einzelabnahme) by TÜV, DEKRA or similar, if no EU certificate of conformity
Registration
Zulassungsstelle (local vehicle registration office)
Step by step
- Buy and ship. We buy the car at auction or from stock and ship it to a German port such as Bremerhaven or Hamburg.
- Customs clearance. Pay 10% duty and 19% VAT; keep the export certificate and shipping documents.
- Technical approval. Most Japanese-market cars need an individual approval report from an inspection organisation.
- Zulassung. Take the documents to the Zulassungsstelle, arrange insurance and receive your plates.
Duties, taxes and homologation
Cars imported from outside the EU normally pay the EU customs duty on passenger cars (10% of the customs value) plus VAT at your country's rate, and some countries add their own registration tax.
Japanese and Korean market cars usually have no EU certificate of conformity, so most need individual vehicle approval and a technical inspection before they can be registered.
Frequently asked questions
Do Japanese imports need TÜV in Germany?
Usually yes: without an EU certificate of conformity the car needs an individual approval report from an inspection body before registration.
What VAT applies?
German VAT of 19% is charged on the customs value plus duty at import.
Figures on this page are indicative and rates and rules change. Always confirm current duty, tax and approval requirements with your customs authority before you buy.
See what is available
Browse used cars from Japan in stock ready to ship, or learn how to read a Japanese auction sheet. Questions? Talk to us.