RoRo freight to Kingston, Port of Spain and Georgetown compared, plus a worked cost skeleton for importing an RHD Japanese car to the Caribbean.
Last updated: August 2026
Importing a Japanese car to Jamaica, Trinidad or Guyana means buying RHD (all three drive on the left), shipping RoRo, and budgeting roughly US$1,000–1,250 in freight depending on the port. Age limits and import-permit rules differ by island and change periodically, so always confirm the current limit before you buy.
Browse our live Japan stock to see RHD vehicles priced and ready to ship to any of these destinations.
Why does RHD matter for these three markets?
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana all drive on the left side of the road, a legacy of British colonial-era infrastructure shared with much of the English-speaking Caribbean. That makes RHD vehicles the correct and, in most cases, required configuration — which lines up neatly with Japan's domestic fleet, since virtually every Japanese-market car is built RHD. You're not sourcing a special or converted vehicle; you're buying the same configuration Japan already builds by default.
What does freight cost to each port?
RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is the standard shipping method for standard cars heading to the Caribbean, and cost varies by destination port rather than by island as a whole — useful if you're comparing options across Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana, or looking further afield in the region.
| Port | Country | RoRo freight estimate (per standard car) |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston | Jamaica | ~US$1,000 |
| Port of Spain | Trinidad & Tobago | ~US$1,150 |
| Georgetown | Guyana | ~US$1,250 |
| Santo Domingo | Dominican Republic (for reference) | ~US$1,450 |
These are RoRo estimates per standard car (wicarexport.com platform data, August 2026); our on-site estimator covers rates to 489 ports if your destination isn't listed here. Transit is typically 6–8 weeks from Japan to Caribbean ports, depending on sailing schedules and transshipment.
Do the age and permit rules differ by island?
Yes, and they change more often than most buyers expect. Jamaica, for example, generally restricts standard passenger car imports to vehicles no more than 6 years old, per the Jamaica Trade Board, though returning residents may qualify for a 10-year allowance under separate provisions. Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana each set their own age limits and import-permit requirements, and both have adjusted their rules within the past year — so a figure that was accurate six months ago may not be current today. Rather than relying on a fixed number here, we'd point you to each island's customs or trade authority directly: Jamaica Customs Agency and the Jamaica Trade Board for Jamaica, and the Guyana Revenue Authority for Guyana. Confirm the current rule for your specific vehicle type and residency status before you buy.
How are duties calculated on each island?
Each country assesses import duty, excise and any applicable taxes locally, based on the vehicle's value, engine size and age — there is no single Caribbean-wide rate we can quote you accurately, and figures vary enough between islands (and change often enough) that publishing a specific percentage here risks being wrong by the time you read it. Your customs broker or the relevant revenue authority in Jamaica, Trinidad or Guyana can give you an exact figure once they have your vehicle's details.
What does a worked cost skeleton look like?
Using a mid-range Japanese vehicle as an example — a 2026 Toyota RAV4 at roughly ¥5,208,000 FOB (about US$33,600 at ¥155/US$) — here's how the shippable cost stack builds before local duties:
| Cost item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Vehicle FOB price | ~US$33,600 |
| Marine insurance (1.5% of car price) | ~US$504 |
| RoRo freight (example: Kingston) | ~US$1,000 |
| Subtotal before local duties | ~US$35,104 |
| Import duty, GCT/VAT, other local taxes | Assessed locally by destination customs |
Payment is by bank transfer (T/T), and a 10% deposit reserves the vehicle once you've selected it. The subtotal above is the portion we can quote with confidence; local duties are the piece only your destination's customs authority can confirm precisely.
How does payment and reservation work for a Caribbean-bound purchase?
A 10% deposit reserves your chosen vehicle once you've decided, which locks in the fixed price while you arrange shipping and confirm your destination's requirements. Payment is by bank transfer (T/T), the standard method for a cross-border vehicle purchase of this kind. We'd suggest confirming your island's current age limit and any import-permit requirement before placing a deposit, since a vehicle that's ineligible on arrival is a far costlier problem to fix after the fact than before you buy.
What documents will customs ask for on arrival?
Requirements differ slightly by island, but customs clearance in Jamaica, Trinidad and Guyana typically asks for the original export documentation from Japan, the bill of lading issued by the shipping line, an import permit or license where required, and proof of duty assessment and payment. A local customs broker in each of the three countries can confirm the exact current list and handle submission on your behalf — engaging one before the vehicle arrives avoids the port storage fees that accumulate while paperwork is sorted out after the fact.
Why choose RoRo over container shipping for these routes?
RoRo is generally the more economical choice for a single standard car heading to any of these three destinations, since the vehicle is driven directly onto the vessel rather than loaded into a container, which avoids container-handling charges. Container shipping remains a reasonable option if you're shipping multiple vehicles together or want the extra physical protection a sealed container provides during transit — but for most single-car Caribbean shipments, RoRo is the standard and the better value.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a left-hand-drive car to Jamaica, Trinidad or Guyana?
All three drive on the left, so RHD is the standard and generally required configuration. An LHD car would be an unusual and likely non-compliant choice for these markets.
Which port is cheapest for freight from Japan?
Of the three, Kingston is typically the lowest at around US$1,000 per standard car, followed by Port of Spain at around US$1,150 and Georgetown at around US$1,250 (wicarexport.com platform data, August 2026).
How long does shipping take to the Caribbean?
Typically 6–8 weeks from Japan, though sailing schedules, transshipment routing and port congestion can extend that window.
Do age limits apply the same way to all vehicle types?
No. Most islands set different age limits for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and returning-resident allowances. Always check the rule for your specific vehicle category and residency status.
Who calculates the duty I'll owe?
Your destination country's customs or revenue authority calculates duty locally, based on your vehicle's value, age and category. We can help estimate the shippable cost but not the local duty figure.
What if your destination port isn't listed above?
Kingston, Port of Spain and Georgetown are the three ports this guide focuses on, but the wider Caribbean and Latin American region has many more entry points, each with its own freight rate. Rather than guessing at a figure, our on-site landed-cost estimator covers rates to 489 ports worldwide, generated directly from the listing you're considering — useful if you're importing to a smaller island or a port not covered here, or comparing more than one destination before deciding where to route your shipment.
Get a landed-cost picture for your island
The freight side of a Caribbean import is predictable; the duty side depends on where you're landing and what you're bringing in, so confirm that piece locally before you commit. Browse our live Japan stock for RHD vehicles ready to ship, and see our guide on RoRo vs. container shipping for cars from Japan if you're deciding how to ship.
