Japanese Cars In South Africa

What is a Japanese Car?

JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market. In other words, a JDM car is a specific model of vehicle that was offered exclusively for sale to the Japanese public.

Some popular brands that are considered JDM include Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru, and Toyota

Japanese Cars In South Africa

Toyota LandCruiser Sahara

Toyota landCruiser 

Can I buy a Japanese car in South Africa?

To import a foreign registered vehicle into South Africa you need an Import Permit and a Letter of Authority from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Used vehicles are prohibited by South African laws but some collector’s items are exceptional such as classic cars or racing cars (Nissan GT-R, etc.)

Are foreign cars allowed in South Africa?

Importing a registered car to South Africa is generally limited to South African nationals and immigrants who possess permanent residency.

Apart from this, circumstances under which cars may be imported include inherited cars, vintage passenger cars, racing cars, and special-designed cars.

How long can a foreign car stay in South Africa?

three months per annum

If it is foreign registered it may only remain in South Africa for a maximum of three months per annum, passports and proof of residence in the foreign state can be requested, likewise temporary import permits (TIPs).”