RHD Rules & Age Limit
Guyana drives on the left, which makes it a natural fit for Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicles — almost all of which are right-hand drive. There's no steering conversion to budget for or factor into your timeline.
The age question
A common myth still circulating is a strict 5-year (or similar) age cutoff on imports. That's out of date. Vehicles over 8 years old have been permitted for import since October 2020 — there is no hard age ceiling that blocks a vehicle from entering Guyana.
What age does determine is which duty band applies. The 4-year divider (48 months before January 1 of the import year) splits vehicles into two very different tax treatments — see our duty and taxes guide for the full breakdown.
What still matters at this stage
- The vehicle must clear the ATJ pre-shipment inspection — mandatory since Feb 1, 2025, regardless of age.
- Window tint must meet the limits effective January 1, 2026 — check before shipping if your unit has factory or aftermarket tint.
FAQ
- Is Guyana a right-hand-drive (RHD) country?
- Yes. Guyana drives on the left, so right-hand-drive vehicles — the Japanese domestic market default — are the standard import, with no steering conversion required.
- Is there an age limit on imported vehicles?
- Vehicles over 8 years old have been permitted for import since October 2020. There is no hard cutoff age that bars import outright — age instead determines which duty band applies (see the 4-year divider in our duty and taxes guide).
- Do older vehicles cost more or less to import?
- Vehicles 4 years or older pay 0% duty and 0% VAT, with excise assessed on a fixed value-method band rather than a percentage of price. Vehicles under 4 years pay the full duty + excise + VAT stack. Which is cheaper depends on the specific vehicle — use the calculator to compare.
Working guide — not legal or customs advice. Confirm current eligibility and compliance rules with the Guyana Revenue Authority before shipping.