1
Confirm Right-Hand-Drive status
All kei vehicles are RHD — clean fit for UK roads. No conversion required.
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Importing a Kei Truck to the United Kingdom
10-year exemption from Individual Vehicle Approval for personal imports.
Duty 10%
Eligibility: 2016 and earlier (in 2026) qualifies for the 10-year IVA exemption window.
Step-by-Step
2
Engage a UK-side import agent
An agent handles customs clearance, VAT, and DVLA registration. Expect £400–700 in agent fees.
3
Ocean freight from Japan to UK
Yokohama to Southampton or Felixstowe, typically 35–45 days transit. Container freight runs roughly £3,400–4,200 per 40ft HC.
4
Customs clearance and VAT
HMRC entry, 10% duty, plus 20% VAT calculated on the CIF-plus-duty base. Your agent files this and pays on your behalf, billing it back.
5
IVA exemption claim (if 10+ years)
Vehicles 10 years or older may claim exemption from full Individual Vehicle Approval testing. Newer vehicles route through IVA which adds £500–800 and 4–8 weeks.
6
DVLA registration
Submit V55/5, customs clearance docs, and proof of insurance. DVLA issues a UK V5C and number plate. MOT applies once the vehicle is 3+ years registered in the UK.
Key Documents
- ✓Japanese export certificate
- ✓Bill of Lading
- ✓Commercial invoice
- ✓HMRC customs entry
- ✓V55/5 DVLA application form
- ✓Insurance certificate
Estimated Costs (GBP)
| Line Item | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| auction average | JPY 350,000–550,000 (£1,900–3,000) |
| ocean freight | £3,400–4,200 per 40ft HC (split across 4 keis) |
| duty 10pct | 10% of customs value |
| vat 20pct | 20% of CIF-plus-duty base |
| agent clearance | £400–700 |
| iva if under 10yr | £500–800 plus 4–8 weeks |
| indicative total | £6,500–10,500 landed and registered |
Watch Out For
- !MOT exemption rules differ for historic vehicles — verify the year-of-manufacture cut-off before assuming exemption.
- !Pre-1985 vehicles may qualify for Historic Vehicle tax exemption.
Sourcing Partner
JapanCarDirect — UK-experienced exporter
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