Importing a Car from Japan to Cyprus – What to Know Before You Dive In

Hey everyone,
I wanted to start a thread on something I've been researching a lot lately: bringing a Japanese import into Cyprus. I figured others might be looking into the same thing, so here's everything I've learned so far plus a few questions I still have.

Why Look to Japan for Your Next Car?

Japanese imports are popular for a reason:

• Low mileage

• Good maintenance standards

• Huge variety (especially hybrids and small-engine cars)

• Often much cheaper than local market prices

That alone hooked me in. But once I started digging, I realized there's more to the process than just winning an auction.

The Process: What It Really Involves

Here's a breakdown of the main steps:

1. Searching & Buying

• Most people use auction platforms or trusted exporters.

• You pay for the auction price + exporter fee.

• Make sure you ask for: auction sheet, service history, and detailed photos.

2. Shipping to Cyprus

• Usually done via RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) or container.

• Prices vary based on size and port.

• Transit time can be anywhere between 4–7 weeks.

3. Arrival & Paperwork

This is where things can get tricky.

• Customs clearance

• Duty & VAT

• Registration fees

• MOT requirements

• Emission standards
  I found that calculating the true final cost is the part that surprises most buyers definitely something to prepare for.

A Quick Insight From My Own Experience

When I first looked into importing, I underestimated the paperwork. I thought shipping would be the most complicated part, but honestly, the customs process demanded way more attention. Also, it helps to know someone who has done this before or to use a reliable clearing agent it saves stress and guesswork.

At this point in my research, I even found myself Googling  car from japan to cyprus while comparing offers, just to see if I was missing any steps that others recommend.

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Pros:

• Better prices

• Huge selection (especially hybrids)

• Generally well-maintained cars

Cons:

• Waiting time

• Import duties add up

• Hard to verify history if exporter isn't trustworthy

• Registration process can be slow

What I'm Still Curious About

I'm still trying to figure out:

• Which auction houses/exporters people here trust most

• Realistic total cost examples from other buyers

• Whether the emission rules for hybrids are strict or fairly easy to meet

• Any unexpected “hidden” fees others ran into

Your Turn: Share Your Experience!

Have you imported a car from Japan to Cyprus?

• How smooth (or chaotic) was the process?

• Any tips for dealing with customs or choosing an exporter?

• Would you do it again?

I'd really love to hear from others who have gone through it your experiences could help a lot of us make better decisions.

Looking forward to your insights!