Nissan Skyline GT-R: a buying and import guide

The Skyline GT-R is the car that made a lot of people want a Japanese import in the first place. Twin turbos, four-wheel drive and a reputation that has only grown. Buying one abroad and bringing it home is very doable, and the age of the earlier cars works in your favour on tax.

Models: R32, R33 and R34
Engine: RB26DETT 2.6 twin-turbo
Shipping from Japan: From £3,575, shipping only
Tax: 20% VAT + 10% duty, or 5% VAT over 30 years

Which generation?

The reduced rate applies to cars over 30 years old. Check the build date of the car you're buying.
Feature	R32 GT-R	R33 GT-R	R34 GT-R
Built	1989 to 1994	1995 to 1998	1999 to 2002
In brief	The original, lightest and most raw	Bigger and more stable at speed	The most modern, and the most expensive
Tax today	Reduced classic rate	Check the build date	Standard rate, for now

All three use the RB26DETT engine and an all-wheel-drive system that sends power to the front only when the rear loses grip. Which one suits you is mostly a question of taste and budget. The R32 is the cheapest way in and is already old enough to qualify for the reduced tax rate.

What to check before you buy

Before you pay a deposit

0 of 7 done

Rust in the sills, wheel arches and around the rear of the boot
A genuine GT-R, not a GTS-t or GTS-4 with a GT-R look: check the chassis plate and VIN
Engine history and signs of tuning beyond what the seller admits
Turbos, oil leaks and a compression test where possible
The all-wheel-drive system and the gearbox, which are costly to put right
Mileage, checked against the auction sheet or service history
Modifications done to a good standard, with parts and receipts

A car that has been tuned hard can be a good buy or an expensive mistake, and the difference is in the paperwork. Our guides to buying a car abroad safely and the Japanese import checklist cover the checks in more detail.

Where to find one

Japanese auctions, with an independent inspection
Specialist exporters in Japan
UK specialist dealers, if you'd rather see it first

Shipping and tax

A Skyline from Japan usually travels in a shared container. As a guide, shipping from Japan starts from £3,575, shipping only. A modern-age GT-R pays 20% VAT and 10% duty on the price plus shipping. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty, which on a £25,000 car is a tax bill of about £1,429 instead of several thousand pounds. Our worked tax examples show the sums.

Found one you like? Send us the auction listing or the exporter's details and we'll price the whole job.

Getting it road legal

Japanese cars are right-hand drive, so the main jobs are a speedometer that reads in mph and usually a rear fog light. We do that work in-house, and for a car old enough, an MOT rather than an IVA. For the full route, see our guide to importing a car from Japan and the IVA test.

Questions people ask

Can I import an R34 GT-R to the UK?

Yes. It pays the standard import tax for now, 20% VAT and 10% duty, and it needs UK road conversions. We handle the shipping, customs and registration.

Is an R32 cheaper to import than an R34?

Usually yes. The car costs less, and because it is over 30 years old it qualifies for the reduced 5% VAT rate with no duty.

Does a Skyline need an IVA test?

Older cars generally do not. They need an MOT once they are in the UK and the right conversions. Newer ones may need an IVA.

How long does it take to ship one from Japan?

Usually 4 to 8 weeks door to door for shipping, plus the time for UK customs, conversions and registration.

Can I get a GT-R insured?

Yes. Our guide to insuring a Japanese import explains what insurers ask for.