# Exporting a used car from Japan as a resident: costs, paperwork and risks

URL: https://japanhow.com/driving/cars/export-used-car-japan-foreigners/
Author: JapanHow editors
Updated: Oct 29, 2026

## Summary

To export a used car from Japan that you own, you first file export deregistration (輸出抹消仮登録) at the transport office, up to 6 months before the export date. As of October 2026 the fee is 500 yen. As the owner you need an owner's seal certificate (印鑑証明書) and a registered seal, so register your seal at your city office first. Customs checks the certificate, and cars cannot go as traveler baggage. Car tax is refunded by month.

## Key facts

- Procedure: 輸出抹消仮登録 at transport office
- Fee: 500 yen (from April 2026)
- Apply from: 6 months before export date
- Foreigner needs: Registered seal + 印鑑証明書

To export used car Japan paperwork starts with the owner: you first file **export deregistration** (輸出抹消仮登録, yushutsu massho kari-toroku) at your transport branch office (運輸支局). You can apply once the export date is decided, **up to 6 months before it**. The fee is **500 yen** (from April 2026). You need an **owner's seal certificate** (印鑑証明書), so register a seal at the city office first. All as of October 2026.

**Informational only:** This page summarizes official procedures. It is not legal or tax advice. Procedures can differ slightly between transport offices, so confirm with yours. For tax questions, ask a tax accountant (税理士).

## Two situations, not one

- **You sell your car to a buyer who will export it.** This is the common case when leaving Japan. The buyer or dealer handles deregistration and customs. Your risks are on the selling side, covered below. For the sale itself, see [selling or scrapping your car](/driving/cars/sell-car-japan-foreigners/).
- **You export your own car** to your home country or next posting. This is the procedure below.

## What is export deregistration?

It is the registration step for sending a car overseas. A car stays registered in Japan until you do it. It does not apply to large special vehicles or towed vehicles. Once the car is deregistered for export, the certificate you receive is what customs looks at.

If you cancel the export, or the planned export date passes, you must **return the certificate** to the office (500 yen at the window).

## What does a foreign owner need?

| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Owner's seal certificate (印鑑証明書) | Issued within 3 months. It must be the owner's |
| Registered seal (実印) | The seal registered with the city office. If an agent applies for you, a power of attorney stamped with it |
| Vehicle inspection certificate (車検証) | Original |
| Number plates | Returned at the office |
| Application form | 第3号様式の2, at the office or downloadable |
| Fee stamp (検査登録印紙) | 500 yen from April 2026 |
| If name or address differ | Documents showing the change history, such as a residence certificate (住民票), issued within 3 months |

**The seal is the foreigner snag.** The seal certificate comes from your city office and needs a registered seal. Foreign residents can register one; see [hanko for foreigners](/life/admin/hanko-for-foreigners/). If you moved since the car was registered and the address on the 車検証 differs, the office wants documents proving the move, so also read [car registration and transfer in Japan](/driving/cars/car-registration-transfer-japan/).

If the owner on the 車検証 is not you, ask the transport office what they need.

## The steps

## Customs: why you cannot just carry it

Since July 2005, customs checks the 輸出抹消仮登録証明書 when reviewing an export declaration for a used car. Also since 2005, cars (including motorcycles and mopeds) are excluded from traveler's-baggage customs (旅具通関) and handled only through business customs clearance (業務通関). In practice that means you work with a shipping agent or a customs broker.

Customs uses police stolen-vehicle data and the registration data to examine used-car exports, and large X-ray equipment on containers. This is aimed at stolen cars. A legitimate export with the certificate in hand is the normal case.

## Taxes and what comes back

| Tax | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Car tax (自動車税) | Billed to the owner registered on 1 April. When a car is deregistered, tax is refunded by month (月割), per Tokyo's tax bureau. Tokyo's page covers ordinary cars. Kei car tax is municipal, not verified here |
| Weight tax (自動車重量税) | The refund system is described for end-of-life vehicles properly dismantled under the Recycling Act with at least 1 month of 車検 left, not for every deregistration. Do not count on it for an export |
| Consumption tax | The National Tax Agency describes an export exemption for taxable businesses, proven with the customs export permit, kept 7 years. The page is about businesses, and we found nothing giving individuals a rebate |

Ask a 税理士 about your own case.

## Fraud and selling risks

The consumer center reports these complaints about selling used cars:

- a **forced contract at the appraisal**, with the buyer reluctant to leave
- **high cancellation fees**
- **price cuts after the contract**, such as for "engine noise" or accident history

Its advice: do not sign at the appraisal, read the cancellation clause in advance, and if you told them about accident history beforehand you need not accept later reductions for it. Car sales to dealers have **no cooling-off** (they fall outside the Specified Commercial Transactions Act). Complaints about used cars numbered 8,642 in FY2025.

Also:

- **Make sure the car is actually deregistered or transferred.** If the buyer does not transfer registration, Tokyo's tax bureau says the seller keeps getting billed for car tax. Ask the transport office or your buyer for proof.
- **Expect an ID check.** Secondhand dealers must verify your identity for purchases of 10,000 yen or more, and for motorcycles at any price.
- For disputes, call the **Consumer Hotline 188**, or the JPUC car-selling helpline (0120-93-4595).

We found no official source on scams aimed at foreigners selling to exporters. See also [scams in Japan](/life/safety/scams-japan-foreigners/).

## If you are leaving Japan

Work backwards from your departure date. See the [leaving Japan checklist](/visa/leaving/leaving-japan-checklist/). Start the seal registration early, because the seal certificate must be less than 3 months old when you file.

## Questions people ask

### How do I export my own car from Japan?

File export deregistration (輸出抹消仮登録) at the transport branch office, once your export date is set and within 6 months before it. Customs then checks the certificate when the car is declared for export. Cars are handled through business customs clearance, not as traveler's baggage.

### What documents does a foreign owner need for export deregistration?

The owner's seal certificate (印鑑証明書) issued within 3 months, your registered seal (実印) or a power of attorney stamped with it, the vehicle inspection certificate (車検証), the number plates and the application form. Offices may ask for more, so check with your transport branch office first.

### How much does export deregistration cost?

500 yen from April 2026 (it was 350 yen before). Returning the certificate if the export is cancelled or the date passes also costs 500 yen at the window.

### Do I get car tax back when I export my car?

Ordinary-car tax (自動車税) is charged or refunded by month when a car is newly registered or deregistered, according to Tokyo's tax bureau. Weight tax refunds are described for dismantled end-of-life cars, not for every deregistration. Kei car tax is municipal and we did not verify it.

### Is there consumption tax relief on car exports?

The National Tax Agency describes export exemption for taxable businesses, backed by a customs export permit kept for 7 years. We found nothing giving a private individual a rebate. Ask a tax accountant (税理士) about your case.

### What are the risks when selling my car to someone who will export it?

The consumer center reports forced contracts at the appraisal, high cancellation fees and price cuts after the contract. If the buyer never transfers registration, the tax bills keep coming to you. Car sales to dealers have no cooling-off period.

## Sources

- [自動車の登録 (輸出抹消仮登録)](https://wwwtb.mlit.go.jp/tohoku/am/am-sub02-007.html), MLIT Tohoku Transport Bureau (国土交通省) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [自動車の登録・検査の法定手数料変更について（令和８年４月１日）](https://wwwtb.mlit.go.jp/tohoku/am/touroku/sonota/202604_tesuuryou_kaitei.pdf), MLIT Tohoku Transport Bureau (国土交通省) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [盗難自動車不正輸出の取締り](https://www.customs.go.jp/mizugiwa/tounan/tounan.htm), Japan Customs (税関) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [自動車税 Q&A](https://www.tax.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/shitsumon/automobiles/j), Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Taxation (東京都主税局) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [自動車重量税還付制度](https://wwwtb.mlit.go.jp/hokushin/nagano/jyuuryouzei.html), MLIT Nagano Transport Branch Office (国土交通省) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [No.6551 輸出免税](https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/taxanswer/shohi/6551.htm), National Tax Agency (国税庁) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [増加する中古自動車の売却トラブル](https://www.kokusen.go.jp/news/data/n-20230322_1.html), National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (国民生活センター) (accessed Oct 29, 2026)
- [古物営業法施行規則の一部を改正する規則（概要）](https://www1.pref.shimane.lg.jp/police/05_application_and_procedures/business_licensing/index.data/chirashikobutu.pdf), Shimane Prefectural Police (accessed Oct 29, 2026)