Legal Guidelines
What you need to know
Exemption Rules
Global JDM Import Regulations for Vehicles: Avoid Impoundment and Seizure.
Every nation has specific regulations for importing vehicles. To legally drive imported vehicles without any risk of confiscation, it’s crucial to ensure that the vehicles meet the age requirement of the month of manufacture.
Discover the regions we serve and the corresponding exemption years in the list below.”
- Canada - 15 years and older
- Quebec - 25 Years and older
- United States - 25 years and older
- United Kingdom - 10 years and older
- Australia - 25 years and older
- New Zealand - 20 years and older
More info below
JDM Imports Canada
15 years and older
When importing a vehicle to Canada from Japan, it is important to consider transit insurance. Without asking your agent, your vehicle may only be covered with the most basic insurance, which may not provide adequate protection.
At Jurojin Imports, we understand the importance of comprehensive coverage for our customers. That’s why we automatically provide “Full Cover” transit insurance for all vehicles exported to Canada. This includes protection for Total Loss, Damage, Theft, Pilferage, and Non-Delivery. All vehicles on our website listed under the Canadian section include the cost of this insurance in the price, and for Purchase to Order customers, it is included in the quotes we provide. This ensures complete peace of mind during the import process.
JDM Imports Quebec
25 years and older
The import procedure for vehicles in Quebec is consistent with the rest of Canada. However, it should be noted that in Quebec, vehicles must be at least 25 years old in order to be registered and legally operated on public roads.
While it is possible to import vehicles that are 15 years or older, they must be stored until they meet the 25-year age requirement for legal road use in Quebec.
JDm Imports United States
25 years and older
Importing a JDM car to the United States is a hassle-free process with Jurojin Imports.
We take care of all the logistics and customs requirements, leaving you with the simple task of collecting the car from the port or arranging for its delivery to your location. Additionally, you will need to arrange and pass a necessary out-of-state inspection before it the car is legally registrable and drivable on US roads.
We understand the importance of comprehensive coverage for our customers. That’s why we automatically provide “Full Cover” transit insurance for all vehicles exported to Canada. This includes protection for Total Loss, Damage, Theft, Pilferage, and Non-Delivery. All vehicles on our website listed under the Canadian section include the cost of this insurance in the price, and for Purchase to Order customers, it is included in the quotes we provide. This ensures complete peace of mind during the import process.
JDM Imports United Kingdom
10 years and older
In the UK, the shipping ports are in Bristol, Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tilbury.
Let us take care of the arduous task of transporting the vehicle and ensure it arrives at your location fully cleared for use.
Declaring Your Imported Car – Completing the Import Process
Bringing a car into the UK requires some final steps to ensure compliance with regulations and taxes. Within two weeks of the car’s arrival, you must make an import declaration with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). If you are a VAT-registered company, you should use the NOVA service to report your imported vehicle(s).
Payment of VAT and Duty – After the declaration, you will receive notification of any VAT or duty that you need to pay. The VAT is calculated based on the overall cost of the car, including accessories and delivery. If the car was imported from outside of the UK, you may also be required to pay duty.
Individual Vehicle Approval Testing – To ensure compliance with UK regulations, cars imported from Japan must undergo an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test. During this assessment, your car will be evaluated to determine if any modifications are necessary to meet UK road standards.
Final Steps: Registration and Taxation – The final step in the process is to register and tax the car. This requires a £55 fee and will ensure that your vehicle is fully compliant and ready for the UK roads.
JDM Imports Australia
25 years and older
At Jurojin Imports, our team boasts a deep understanding of the Australian import process and are highly skilled in RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop) compliance. As experienced agents, we offer a significant advantage to Australian customers looking to import vehicles.
Unfortunately, some customers have come to us after failed imports with other agents, which resulted in their vehicles either being destroyed or re-exported. This is often due to the lack of knowledge and expertise in the industry, such as supplying accident-damaged or repaired vehicles. At Jurojin Imports, we prioritize quality by only sourcing and stocking genuine, non-accident vehicles with no underbody rust damage.
To ensure a successful and stress-free import experience, it’s crucial to work with an agent who can be trusted to supply top-quality vehicles and has a comprehensive understanding of the Australian RAWS requirements. Don’t let a poor choice of agent lead to disappointment – choose Jurojin Imports for a successful import journey.
JDM Imports New Zealand
20 years and older
At Jurojin JDM Imports, we offer convenient shipping of vehicles from any port in Japan to major ports in New Zealand, including Auckland, Dunedin, Lyttleton, and Wellington.
It’s important to note that New Zealand has specific regulations for frontal impact standards, but some vehicles are exempt from these requirements. As a company, we only import vehicles that meet these criteria. Specifically, a car can be exempt if it is over 20 years old, a “special interest vehicle,” or if it is being brought in by someone who is emigrating or returning to New Zealand with the vehicle.