Japanese Used Cars for Antigua & Barbuda - Import Rules & Shipping

Unlike some Caribbean markets, the current Antigua and Barbuda Customs vehicle-importation guidance does not state a general maximum age for imported motor vehicles.

However, an import licence is required, and customers should confirm approval and current requirements for the particular vehicle before shipment.

Vehicle age can also affect the applicable Environmental Levy, so an older vehicle is not necessarily subject to the same import cost as a newer one.

Kaede Trading can help check the vehicle's year, specification, auction condition and export details before purchase.

Antigua and Barbuda Customs currently lists the following documents for importing a motor vehicle:

• Import licence from the Ministry of Trade
• Refrigerant Form from the National Ozone Office within the Ministry of Trade
• Commercial / supplier invoice
• Bill of Lading
• Environmental Levy Form

Additional documentation may be required depending on the importer, vehicle type, concession status or current government procedures.

Kaede Trading prepares the Japanese export and shipping documents applicable to the vehicle. Local permits and forms should be arranged by the importer or their Antigua customs broker where required.

Antigua and Barbuda Customs currently publishes the following Environmental Levy amounts for motor vehicles:

• Vehicles up to 1 year old: EC$1,000
• Used vehicles over 1 year old: EC$4,000

Approved concessions or waivers may apply in certain circumstances.

There is no single duty percentage that should be applied to every imported vehicle. Customs states that duties and taxes are based on the vehicle's Customs Value and the applicable Tariff Code and Customs Procedure Code (CPC).

Customs Value generally includes the vehicle value, insurance and shipping cost. Depending on the vehicle and import circumstances, applicable charges can include Import Duty, Revenue Recovery Charge, Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST), environmental/disposal levies and other applicable Customs charges.

We recommend obtaining a current duty estimate from Antigua and Barbuda Customs or a licensed customs broker before finalizing a purchase.

Antigua Customs describes the vehicle-clearance process generally as follows:

1. The importer or customs broker prepares the Customs Declaration in ASYCUDA World using the Single Administrative Document (SAD), together with the invoice and Bill of Lading.
2. Customs examines and values the vehicle and verifies relevant vehicle and refrigerant information.
3. The required Refrigerant Form is processed through the National Ozone Office.
4. The Environmental Levy Form is obtained and any approved concession or waiver is confirmed where applicable.
5. The declaration and supporting documents are submitted to Customs and the applicable duties and taxes are paid.
6. After Customs and Port Authority processing, the vehicle can be released from the port.

Vehicle shipments for Antigua are generally handled through St. John's / Deep Water Harbour.

Shipping lines, vessel routes, transit times and freight rates can change during the year. For this reason, Kaede Trading provides current shipping information and quotations rather than publishing a fixed shipping line or transit time.

Depending on the vehicle and available service, shipment may be arranged by RoRo or container. For large vans, pickups, trucks or commercial vehicles, vehicle dimensions may affect the freight quotation and available shipping method.

Kaede Trading is based in Japan and can source vehicles through Japanese used-car auctions and other domestic suppliers.

We can help customers search for cars, SUVs, vans, pickups and commercial vehicles and review the Japanese auction information before bidding.

Where appropriate, an independent pre-bid inspection can also be arranged in Japan to check important vehicle details beyond the auction sheet.

Before bidding, we recommend confirming the Antigua import licence requirements and obtaining an estimated local duty calculation, especially when considering higher-value or older vehicles.