FREE RESOURCES: VIN Country Codes

VIN Country Codes Lookup | Decode Vehicle Origin by VIN

What Are VIN Country Codes?

VIN Country Codes are part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — a globally standardized 17-character code that uniquely identifies every vehicle.

The first character of the VIN represents the country where the vehicle was manufactured, offering essential insights for buyers, sellers, insurers, and regulators.

By decoding VIN country codes, you can instantly discover a vehicle’s origin — helping verify authenticity, regulatory compliance, and ownership history.

Understanding the Full Structure of a VIN Number

A VIN includes valuable data across 17 characters. Each digit in the VIN represents specific information about the vehicle: VIN Country Codes

SECTION	DIGITS	PURPOSE
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)	1–3	Country, manufacturer, and division
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)	4–9	Model, engine, transmission, body type
Check Digit	9	Verifies VIN authenticity
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)	10–17	Model year, assembly plant, production sequence

✅ VIN Standardization:

• U.S.: Established in 1981 by the NHTSA
• Global: Defined by ISO 3779 (structure) and ISO 4030 (location and attachment)

VIN First Character: Country Code Meaning

The first digit in a VIN reveals the vehicle’s country of manufacture. Here’s a full breakdown:

Region	Code Range	Example Countries
Africa	A–H	South Africa
Asia	J–R	Japan, Korea, China, India, Thailand
Europe	S–Z	UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain
North America	1–5	USA, Canada, Mexico
Oceania	6–7E	Australia, New Zealand
South America	8–9	Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile

VIN Country Codes by Specific Region and Country

Country codes in VINs are determined based on a standardized system established by ISO. Each country is assigned a unique code that is incorporated into the VIN to indicate the vehicle’s origin.

Region	Country
Africa	AA-AH = South Africa
Asia	J = Japan KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar NL-NR = Turkey PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan
Europe	SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW-T1 = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy
North America	1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico
Oceania	6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand
South America	8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8L-8R = Ecuador 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia 8X–82 = Venezuela

Why VIN Country Codes Matter

Understanding a vehicle’s country of manufacture can impact:

✅ Registration and Legal Compliance
✅ Safety Standards and Recall Requirements
✅ Insurance Rates and Risk Assessments
✅ Resale Value and Buyer Trust
✅ Import/Export Regulation

How to Find the Country Code in Your VIN

Locate the VIN:
- Driver’s side dashboard (visible through windshield)
- Driver’s side door jamb
- Front of engine block
- Vehicle registration, title, or insurance documents
Check the 1st character:
- - Example: “1” = United States
  - Example: “J” = Japan
  - Example: “W” = Germany

Use a VIN decoder tool: Enter the full VIN into a tool like VinAudit’s Free VIN Decoder → for complete country, manufacturer, and vehicle details.

Why You Should Perform a Full VIN Check

Beyond country codes, a full VIN check can reveal:

Accident history
Odometer fraud
Title branding (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
Recall notices
Theft reports
Ownership history
Lien records

VinAudit.com provides NMVTIS-authorized, affordable vehicle history reports — starting at just $9.99.
Run a Full VIN Check Now →

Frequently Asked Questions About VIN Country Codes

Q1. What does the first digit in a VIN mean?

The first digit in a VIN indicates the country where the vehicle was manufactured. For example, “1” means USA, “J” means Japan, and “W” means Germany.

Q2. How can I find a car’s country of origin by VIN?

Look at the first character of the 17-digit VIN, or use an online VIN decoder like VinAudit’s tool to identify the vehicle’s manufacturing country automatically.

Q3. Are VIN country codes standardized globally?

Yes. VIN country codes are standardized internationally under ISO 3779, ensuring consistent vehicle identification worldwide.

Q4. Can a VIN show if a car was imported?

Yes. A VIN can show country of manufacture versus registration history, helping detect imported or grey market vehicles through a full VIN history report.

Q5. Where else can I find my VIN if not on the dashboard?

You can find your VIN on the driver’s side door jamb, engine block, vehicle registration documents, insurance cards, or vehicle title paperwork.