How to import a Japanese used car

There are many many dealers around the world and in Japan who buy used cars for resale. If the dealer is in your own country then most of the problems have already been taken care of and you will be able to get a car more quickly.

However, if you buy from a dealer in Japan you will probably have to go through some or all of the following process.

First check your country's laws about importing cars

Before importing check your country's rules for importing used cars to make sure you are allowed to import the car you want. Most countries have liberal laws and are mostly concerned with emissions and safety standards.

Send the request

If the dealer has a stock of cars you can request on shown on their website in which case you will know the price and details of the car.

However if you are looking for something specific then you will have to send the dealer an email describing what you want. Most dealers have some sort of request form on their website.

Confirmation

If you are buying from stock then you will usually get a faster confirmation of purchase. If you request something else then the dealer will have to search for what you requested at an auction and send you details of prices and specifications. It is then up to you to confirm or ask for a different model etc.

Payment

Once you have decided on a car and price you will be required to pay for it. Methods and amounts vary by dealer.

Some dealers require you pay 100% upfront with by bank transfer (or telegraphic transfer T.T.) before the car is bought at auction or readied for shipping. Others require a less amount as a deposit and then a balance on completion of purchase at auction or when the car is ready for shipping.

You may feel nervous sending money to a foreign country and unknown company so you should be sure of the dealers trustworthiness before you enter into a contract or send any money. You can do this by checking to see if the dealer displays a company registration number and address on their website. Simply note this down and contact the Japanese embassy in your country to confirm the details.

You can also check the bank account. Japanese banking laws are strict when it comes to monetary movements and bank accounts. All registered businesses are required to have their accounts under exactly the same name that they registered their company.

If you are buying a used car online from Japan and the name on the bank account is different from the name of the trading company, or if its an individual, then you should investigate more.

Happily though, most dealers are honest and trustworthy and if in doubt you can also give them a call to find out more information for yourself.

Delivery

Delivery times will vary according to distance and number of ships to your country. Here is a rough guideline.

• Russia and Hong Kong: three days
• New Zealand and Australia: three weeks
• Rest of world: between four to six weeks

There may be other times to include in the delivery period such as a deregisteration certificate for the Japanese owner which shows the car has been sold by him, and finding a space on a boat to your port. These extra processes can take up another four to six weeks.

Arrival!

Your car has arrived at your port and now you have to pick it up. Take the documentation which the dealer sent you to a shipping agent who will arrange the offloading of the car from the ship.

Depending on your country's laws you may have to pay import tax, licence the car, get car safety tests done, and insure the car. Click here for more details on laws and regulations for importing a used car.

Drive it home.