You have seen the low auction prices. A 2015 Toyota Aqua for €4,000 or maybe a 2016 Honda Fit for €3,500. Too good to be true!
Let's talk about the total cost? What will be the cost of bringing that car from Japan to your driveway in Cyprus?
Many buyers only look at the auction price. They forget shipping, import duty, VAT, registration fees, and small charges. Then they get surprised by a bill for thousands more.For a complete side-by-side comparison of total costs across multiple models including real landed figures, our Cars from Japan to Cyprus guide covers the full picture including EU duty rates and step-by-step process.
At Nobuko Japan, we have helped Cyprus buyers import dozens of cars. We know every single cost from auction to arrival. This guide gives you the complete total cost breakdown.
The total cost to import a car from Japan to Cyprus falls into seven categories.
Nobuko Japan tip: Add all seven categories before you bid. The auction price is only the start.
This is what you pay for the car itself in Japan.
| Model | Year | Grade | Mileage | Auction Price (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Aqua | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 40,000–70,000 km | €3,000–€5,000 |
| Honda Fit | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 40,000–70,000 km | €3,000–€5,000 |
| Suzuki Swift | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 40,000–70,000 km | €3,500–€5,500 |
| Toyota Vitz | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 40,000–70,000 km | €2,500–€4,500 |
| Toyota Voxy | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 60,000–90,000 km | €5,000–€8,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 50,000–80,000 km | €8,000–€12,000 |
| Toyota Alphard | 2015–2017 | 4.0–4.5 | 60,000–100,000 km | €10,000–€18,000 |
If buying from a Japanese dealer instead of auction: Add 20–30% to these prices.
Nobuko Japan advice: Auction gives you the lowest purchase price but you need to understand auction sheets. We translate every sheet for you. Our complete guide to reading a Japanese car auction sheet explains every grade number, interior letter, and damage code so you know exactly what Grade 4.0–4.5 means before you bid.
Before your car can leave Japan, you pay these mandatory fees.
| Cost | Amount (€) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Japan domestic transport | €150–€300 | Truck from auction to port |
| Export certificate | €50–€100 | Deregistration from Japanese system |
| Auction house fee | €200–€500 | Buyer's commission |
| Total export costs | €400–€900 |
Nobuko Japan tip: Some exporters hide these fees in a "service charge." We list them separately so you know exactly where your money goes.Before choosing any exporter, our guide to verifying a Japanese car exporter shows exactly what a transparent fee structure looks like and how to spot hidden charges before you pay.
Your car travels from Yokohama or Nagoya to Limassol Port.
| Method | Cost (€) | Transit Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) | €800–€1,500 | 4–6 weeks | Standard cars, budget buyers |
| Container (20ft) | €1,500–€2,500 | 5–7 weeks | Luxury or classic cars |
| Container (40ft) | €2,500–€3,500 | 5–7 weeks | Multiple cars or personal items |
Marine insurance: Basic coverage is usually included. For full coverage, add €100–€300.
Nobuko Japan advice: Choose RoRo for standard cars under €10,000. It saves you €700–€1,500.
This is the largest cost after the car itself.
Import duty: 10% of CIF value (Car + Insurance + Freight).
VAT: 19% of CIF value PLUS import duty.
Example calculation (€5,000 car + €1,000 shipping + €100 insurance):
| Step | Calculation | Amount (€) |
|---|---|---|
| CIF value | €5,000 + €1,000 + €100 | €6,100 |
| Import duty (10%) | €6,100 × 0.10 | €610 |
| Subtotal for VAT | €6,100 + €610 | €6,710 |
| VAT (19%) | €6,710 × 0.19 | €1,275 |
| Total taxes | €610 + €1,275 | €1,885 |
Nobuko Japan tip: VAT is charged on the CIF value PLUS duty. Many buyers forget this and underestimate by €500–€1,000.
After paying taxes, you register the car with the Road Transport Department.
| Fee | Amount (€) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (CO₂-based) | €50–€1,500+ | Lower for hybrids, higher for SUVs |
| Registration certificate (TOM 9B) | €8.54 | Fixed fee |
| Number plates | €20–€50 | One-time cost |
| CO₂ (g/km) | Estimated Registration Fee (€) |
|---|---|
| Up to 120 (Toyota Aqua hybrid) | €50–€100 |
| 120–150 (Honda Fit petrol) | €100–€300 |
| 150–180 (Toyota RAV4) | €300–€700 |
| Over 180 (Large SUV) | €700–€1,500+ |
Your car arrives at Limassol Port. You pay these fees to get it released.
| Fee | Amount (€) | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Customs clearance agent | €100–€200 | Agent files paperwork |
| Port handling fee | €50–€150 | Unloading and storage |
| Terminal fee | €20–€50 | Port access |
| Total port fees | €170–€400 |
Nobuko Japan tip: We work with Cyprus agents who charge fair rates. No inflated fees.
Before you drive legally, your car needs a roadworthiness test if it is over 4 years old.
| Fee | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| Roadworthiness test (MOT equivalent) | €50–€100 |
| Annual road tax (circulation tax) – first year | €20–€100+ (depends on CO₂ and fuel) |
Toyota Aqua hybrid: ~€30–€50 per year
Toyota RAV4 petrol: ~€100–€150 per year
Note: Road tax is paid every year, not just once but only the first year is part of your "total cost to import."
Example 1: Toyota Aqua (2015 Hybrid – Small City Car)
| Cost Category | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| Auction price | €3,500 |
| Export costs (Japan) | €500 |
| Shipping (RoRo) | €1,000 |
| Import duty (10%) | €500 |
| VAT (19%) | €1,050 |
| Registration fee | €80 |
| Port + clearance fees | €250 |
| Roadworthiness test | €60 |
| TOTAL | €6,940 |
Real Example: Cyprus Buyer Total Cost €7,200 – Saved €3,800
A Nobuko Japan customer from Nicosia wanted to import a 2015 Toyota Aqua. He had seen our cost breakdown and budgeted €7,500 total.
His actual total cost:
| Cost Component | Amount (€) |
|---|---|
| Auction price | €3,800 |
| Export costs | €480 |
| Shipping (RoRo) | €1,050 |
| Import duty (10%) | €533 |
| VAT (19%) | €1,119 |
| Registration fee | €75 |
| Port fees | €220 |
| Roadworthiness test | €60 |
| Certificate + plates | €35 |
| TOTAL | €7,372 |
Cyprus dealer price for comparable car: €11,200
His saving: €3,828
He told us: "I used the Nobuko Japan cost breakdown before I bid. I knew exactly what to expect. The final total was within €150 of my estimate. No surprises. The car is perfect."
The lesson: When you know the total cost before you bid, there are no surprises. The numbers are easy to guess!
Importing from Japan to Cyprus involves several costs. It will include the price of the car, export fees, shipping, inspection and tax.
For a small hybrid like Toyota Aqua, total landed cost is €6,500–€7,500. For a family SUV like Toyota RAV4, total landed cost is €14,000–€16,000. Compare this to Cyprus dealer prices – savings of €3,000–€6,000 are typical.
Nobuko Japan provides a full total cost estimate before you bid on any car. We include every category. Ready to know your total cost? Contact Nobuko Japan today.
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