Importing Japanese used cars to Bangladesh

Bangladesh drives on the left and uses right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles, and it has one of South Asia's largest markets for reconditioned Japanese cars. Almost all vehicles arrive through the port of Chattogram (Chittagong). Models like the Toyota Axio, Premio, Aqua and Noah are everyday sights on Bangladeshi roads.

Reconditioned cars are typically limited by a depreciation-based age rule of around five years, and a JAAI pre-shipment inspection is normally required for reconditioned vehicles. Duties are high and rise steeply with engine size, where supplementary duty in particular increases sharply for larger-engine cars. The rates here are indicative only — confirm the current age rule and tax bands with Bangladesh Customs (NBR) before you buy.

Shipping cars from Japan to Bangladesh runs almost entirely into Chattogram (Chittagong), loading from Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Osaka or Moji depending on where the car is bought. Two methods are used. RoRo, where the vehicle is driven aboard a dedicated car carrier, is the cheaper option for a single running car and is what most reconditioned-car importers use. Container shipping costs more per unit but protects the vehicle, allows spare parts to be loaded with it, and becomes competitive when you consolidate two or more cars into one 40-foot box.

On timing, budget for the whole chain rather than the sea leg alone. The voyage to Chattogram typically runs around three to five weeks, extending further where the cargo transships through Singapore or Port Klang instead of sailing direct. Add one to three weeks beforehand for purchase, JAAI inspection, de-registration and waiting for the next sailing, and one to three weeks afterwards for LC settlement, customs assessment, duty payment and registration. From winning a car at auction to plates in Dhaka, plan on roughly two to three months, and ask your forwarder to confirm the actual schedule for your booking.