Importing a car from Japan in 2026: What you really need to know

Do you dream of a razor-sharp Honda NSX, an iconic Nissan Skyline, or perhaps a practical yet luxurious Toyota Alphard? The appeal of the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) remains as strong as ever in 2026. These cars are often in excellent technical condition, have low mileage, and come richly equipped.

However, importing a car from outside the EU has become more complex than ever in 2026 due to stricter environmental requirements and changes in tax legislation. In this article, we explain what you really need to watch out for this year.

The 2026 BPM trap

Since January 1, 2026, the rules for BPM (Passenger Car and Motorcycle Tax) have been further tightened. For cars with a combustion engine, the bracket thresholds have decreased by 1.55%, while the rates per gram of CO₂ have increased by 1.57%.

What does this mean for you? A car that was still relatively affordable to import last year may now end up costing thousands of euros more because it falls into a higher tax bracket more quickly.

The exception: Electric vehicles (EVs) remain largely spared until the end of 2026, although you will still pay a fixed BPM amount of €687 for an EV in 2026.

The youngtimer threshold has shifted

For a long time, the magic threshold for tax benefits was 15 years. Note: as of 2026, the age limit for the youngtimer scheme has been increased to 16 years. Want to drive the car for business purposes with the favorable tax addition of 35% of the current value? Then your model must now be from 2010 or older.

Import duties and VAT

Because Japan is not part of the EU, you will have to deal with customs. The standard rates in 2026 are:

• Import duties: 10% on the sum of the purchase price + transport costs

• VAT: 21% on the total amount (vehicle value + transport + import duties

• Classic car advantage: Is the car 30 years or older (model year 1996 or earlier)? Then you generally pay 0% import duties and a reduced VAT rate of 9%. This makes icons from the 1990s especially attractive.

Environmental zones and zero-emission rules

In 2026, environmental zone regulations in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are extremely strict.

• Petrol cars: Generally still allowed, provided they meet the correct Euro standard (often Euro 1 or higher).

• Diesel: Be careful! Many Japanese diesel engines (such as those in the Toyota Land Cruiser) are no longer allowed in city centers. In 2026, many zones are being converted into zero-emission zones, which mainly affects commercial vehicles registered after 2025.

RDW inspection: the details make the difference

Japanese cars have headlights that point to the left (left-hand traffic). For the Dutch RDW inspection, these often need to be replaced or adjusted. The car must also have a rear fog light, and the chassis number (VIN) must be clearly readable. In 2026, the RDW is checking emissions data more strictly than ever—make sure you have the original Japanese export certificate!

Conclusion

Importing a car from Japan in 2026 is still a fantastic adventure—provided you carefully calculate the costs in advance. The rising BPM rates and the new 16-year threshold for youngtimers are the key factors that can impact your budget.

Would you like us to create an exact cost calculation for your dream car, including transport and customs handling? Feel free to contact us!

Here is a link to an interesting Japanese car marketplace: Beforward