While you may want to import directly from Japan, before you do this it's best to research your home market carefully.


This gives you benchmark information on pricing and availability of the vehicles that you want.

Firstly, this lets you work out whether you're better off sourcing locally rather than importing.

That's right. Sometimes markets will become flooded with Japanese imports and you can buy for the same prices (even cheaper) than you can in Japan.

Secondly, if you go ahead and import you can then use the benchmark information in your home market to work out target prices for your buy orders in Japan, allowing for import costs.

The first step is to research the vehicle import requirements of the country that you want to import to.

Most countries have import requirements and restrictions and very few countries let you import just any vehicle.

Typical restrictions are:

• Vehicle Age. The vehicle must be newer or older than a particular year.


• Vehicle Model. The vehicle must only be one of those models that has been approved for import.


• Vehicle Specifications. The vehicle must meet certain technical requirements. Examples could be to meet certain exhaust emission specifications or to have particular features, such as Electronic Stability Control.


• Vehicle Configuration. The vehicle you want may need to be partially dismantled, imported as parts and then rebuilt after importing.

Different import duties might also apply to vehicles of a different age and/or vehicle type, which gives an incentive to import the vehicles with the lower level of duty.

You need to know the duties that would apply to your import to know the total cost and how much to pay for the vehicle in Japan.

For vehicles that are to be registered for driving on the road there can also be state regulations (not just national regulations). So after checking with the national import regulations you need to also check with state authorities.

Once you've established that the vehicle you've chosen can be imported then check for what conditions apply. For example:

• the vehicle needs to be tested in a prescribed way, such as for roadworthiness, emissions levels and odometer accuracy either before or after importing.


• works need to be performed on the vehicle in Japan prior to exporting such as cleaning for biological contaminants like dirt, seeds, insects or leaves, the removal of aircon gas etc.


• works need to be performed on the vehicle after it has been imported such as fittng new tyres or child restraint anchor points. In the case of motorhomes, rewiring to match the local power requirements and replumbing to match the local gas plumbing standards may be required.

The internet now makes it easy to research vehicle prices in Japan and estimate import costs, so you can compare prices with the same vehicles in your own market.

You can now easily research both Retail and Wholesale prices for New, Used and Salvage Grade Vehicles throughout all of Japan from your own country.

When working out the price target for your vehicles always allow a contingency for unforseen costs or repairs.

Currencies can fluctuate, there may be unforseen costs once the vehicle arrives in your country. You may not need it, but as with any used product it may need some work once it arrives, at least a clean, safety check and service. Below are some tools that can help you research the Japanese market.

Look for a Japan-based exporter who is ethical, has a proven track record and whose service matches your requirements.

If you're a professional full-time importer look for an exporter who specialises in Business to Business and can give you benefits over and above a Business to Consumer exporter.

The exporter handles the export related issues, sourcing the vehicle, doing the export documentation and getting it on a ship from Japan.

You and your team are responsible for the import related issues, getting the vehicle off the ship, getting duties paid and meeting the other requirements for getting the vehicle on the road in your country.

The first team member will probably be a customs broker.

A customs broker will often be necessary to handle the import documantation and calculate and pay destination port fees and government taxes and duties.

Depending on your country's requirements you may also need other companies to assist you such as approved testing or compliance workshops before the vehicle can be road registered. It's best to arrange these services before the vehicle is imported.

Set up an account with the exporter, which may include agreeing the terms of service.

Give the exporter your shipping instructions. Let them know whether you'd like the vehicle containerised or sent roll-on, roll-off on a car carrier.

If you're buying direct from Japan's Wholesale Vehicle Auctions the vehicle needs to be removed from the auction house within just a few days that you're successful.

This means you need to have all your shipping details in place so your exporter can book the shippping and arrange trucking to the correct port. Make sure that the vehicle is insured during shipping with marine insurance.

Send funds to the exporter to fund your purchase. This is typically by a Telegraphic Transfer remittance through your local bank to the exporter's bank in Japan.

The last stage is to select the vehicles you want to import.

Your exporter pays for the vehicle, books shipping and arranges trucking of the vehicle to the port and export documentation.

The vehicle is then shipped to the port that you nominated.

Once you clear all outstanding accounts with the exporter you receive the original shipping documents which lets you take possession of the vehicle when it arrives at your destination port.

Your Customs Broker or Clearing Agent will tell you what costs are payable on arrival and help you take possession of your vehicle.