Everything you need to know about sourcing, evaluating, bidding on, and shipping cars directly from Japanese wholesale markets.
Importing with us follows four straightforward steps:
Our Japan office operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Japan Standard Time). We are closed on weekends, but we still run skeleton bidding and inspection services for Saturday auctions. We also observe major Japanese public holidays, including New Year's, Golden Week (late April/early May), and the Obon Summer Holiday (mid-August). We do our best to maintain critical communication for live bids during these periods.
Auctions operate at true wholesale floor prices. Buying through auction bypasses retail dealer margins, storage overhead, and dealer reconditioning fees. Sites like Goo-Net reflect fixed consumer pricing, whereas auctions allow you to secure vehicles at true market value before dealer markup is applied. However, buying directly from a dealer can sometimes land a bargain as well, so don't be discouraged.
Preview access allows guests to research market trends and view upcoming listings across general auction houses. Full bidding clearance is activated once a deposit is received.
Requiring a deposit for full access is necessary because major auction networks (such as USS) enforce strict dealer licensing restrictions. Furthermore, live auction lots move in seconds, so having cleared bidding funds ready ensures we never miss a fast-listing vehicle on your behalf.
Japan’s exceptional train infrastructure means most vehicle owners commute without driving daily, saving cars for occasional weekend trips. Additionally, strict government registration (Shaken) every two years creates a permanent paper trail of mileage history.
To ensure total accuracy, our physical inspection process independently validates mileage claims by checking pedal wear, steering wheel condition, brake disc lip depth, and instrument panel tampering indicators.
No. Altering a vehicle’s odometer reading or falsifying documentation is illegal. Direct Imported strictly adheres to all international trade laws and will not participate in any illegal actions, regardless of the reason.
Because we source true Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles, all included manuals and infotainment systems will be in Japanese. Spare keys are only included if the previous owner provided them to the auction house; if they are not in the glove compartment upon inspection, they are not provided, and you will be responsible for cutting a spare upon arrival.
We combine official documentation with physical verification if in attendance:
Standard auction sheet evaluations only take a few minutes. Our detailed physical checks go further by testing paint depth with electronic gauges to detect hidden body filler, checking fluid reservoirs (oil/coolant), evaluating tire tread wear, testing power accessories (convertible tops, air suspension), and assessing undercarriage corrosion.
Because auction events start early in Japan, all inspection requests and maximum bid thresholds must be finalized in our portal by 7:00 AM JST on the morning of the auction. Submitting early gives our ground staff sufficient time to inspect the vehicle before bidding starts.
Certain countries (such as Kenya, Zambia, and Australia) legally require a mandatory pre-export inspection (e.g., JEVIC, EAA, or Intertek) prior to the vehicle leaving Japan. It is your responsibility to research your local government regulations. If an inspection is mandatory, we will gladly arrange it for you prior to vessel loading.
Yes. Beyond checking official registration histories (Shaken) and auction databases, we can arrange third-party digital odometer verification services prior to export upon request. The fee is advised based on the type of inspection required, as there are various levels of odometer inspections available.
You authorize a maximum bid limit. During the live auction—which takes under 30 seconds per car—our licensed agent bids incrementally on your behalf. We always attempt to win the lot for as little as possible; if bidding stops below your cap, the savings go directly to you.
If a vehicle fails to meet its hidden reserve price, two options usually open up:
No. In the Japanese wholesale auction system, all winning bids represent legally binding commercial contracts. Once the hammer falls, sales are final and cannot be canceled or returned.
Yes. If you spot a vehicle on dealer platforms like Goo-Net or CarSensor, we can contact the dealership directly, negotiate pricing, inspect the car where possible, and manage the export logistics on your behalf.
Yes. After securing a vehicle, we can transport it to our trusted local partner workshops in Japan for routine maintenance, audio system installations, or aftermarket alloy wheels prior to loading onto the vessel. Please inform us of these requests before the final Proforma Invoice is issued.
By international maritime law, we are strictly prohibited from placing loose parts or cargo inside a vehicle if it is being shipped via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels. Loose items can only be loaded if the destination country accepts loose cargo (usually original OEM parts for the shipped vehicle). These items need to be categorized, valued, and added to the Bill of Lading (B/L). We generally try to avoid this to limit the risk of stolen parts. Alternatively, loose parts are allowed if you have booked a dedicated container shipment.
We require an initial bidding retainer of 25% of your maximum target bid over 1,000,000 JPY (minimum baseline of ¥200,000 JPY). We accept payments in Japanese Yen (JPY). All payments must be made via secure Telegraphic Transfer (T/T) or Wise Business (Wise is preferred for deposits as it is simple to reverse payments). We do not accept cash under any circumstances.
Your deposit is fully refundable at any point prior to a successful auction win, minus any direct costs incurred for completed single-vehicle inspection tasks, banking fees, and exchange rate fluctuations.
Yes! We fully support payments made through Wise Business (formerly TransferWise) in addition to traditional international bank wire transfers (T/T). Using Wise Business is often the fastest and most economical option for our global clients, as it offers real mid-market exchange rates and significantly lower conversion fees compared to traditional retail banks.
When sending funds via Wise, you can transfer directly in Japanese Yen (JPY) to our designated business receiving account provided on your invoice.
A TT Copy (Telegraphic Transfer Copy) or Wise transfer confirmation receipt is the official confirmation provided by your financial institution once you execute a transfer. Because international wire transfers act as an official legal record between buyer and seller, we do not issue separate paper receipts. Your transfer confirmation serves as your official proof of payment.
The buyer is responsible for all remittance and exchange fees. Please instruct your bank or payment provider to cover all origin and intermediary bank fees so that the exact invoice amount arrives in our account. Please note: Japanese banks do not use IBAN codes; you will instruct your bank using our Swift Code.
Japanese auctions require rapid settlement; we pay this the next day from our own accounts. The remaining balance issued to you must be remitted within 7 days of a winning bid. Please be aware that traditional international bank transfers can take up to 3 business days to clear into our Japanese account (Wise transfers are often faster), so initiating payment immediately is crucial to avoid late penalties.
No. Vehicles purchased strictly for overseas export are exempt from Japanese domestic consumption tax (10%) and local recycling fees. Our export invoices reflect pure wholesale pricing.
We offer two primary transport methods:
While shipping company schedules change frequently, average transit times from Japan are roughly:
We will provide your B/L so you can access online resources to track your shipment. Please note that shipping lines control vessel schedules, and we cannot intervene if they decide to delay or transship your cargo.
The Consignee (owner-to-be) information is used to generate the Bill of Lading (B/L), which is an official, legal document proving ownership of the cargo. Your name and address must perfectly match your Passport or National ID. Even the smallest spelling mistake will require a formal B/L amendment, causing severe delays and additional fees imposed by the shipping line.
Absolutely not. Altering the commercial value, year, or chassis information on the Bill of Lading or Commercial Invoice is a criminal offense. We supply accurate, legal documentation only.
For Roll-on/Roll-off vehicle shipments, we do not issue a separate packing list. Our official Commercial Invoice includes all relevant weights, dimensions, and descriptions required, and serves as a universally accepted substitute during customs clearance.
Once your vessel departs, we compile your original Bill of Lading, Japanese Export Certificate, English translations, and Invoice. These are dispatched to your designated address via DHL express courier. We will provide a DHL tracking number. (Please allow 24 hours for the DHL system to update once the package is picked up).
All CIF shipments are backed by Institute Cargo Clauses (A) "All Risks" Marine Insurance. This includes a pre-loading clause that protects your car while stored at the Japanese port terminal prior to vessel departure, as well as full coverage against total loss or damage while at sea.
Customs entry, compliance testing, and local tax payments in your destination country are managed by the buyer. You must ensure your desired car meets local import criteria (such as the US 25-year rule or Canadian 15-year rule). We recommend hiring a local Customs Broker at your destination port prior to ship arrival.
To legally import a non-conforming Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicle into the United States, it must be at least 25 years old down to the exact month of manufacture. Once a vehicle reaches this age, it is legally exempt from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards. We verify the exact manufacture month using the chassis number before allowing you to bid on any vehicle destined for the USA to ensure full compliance.
We manage all Japanese-side logistics, deregistration, and ocean freight to your chosen US port. On your end, you (or your Customs Broker) must file the mandatory ISF (Importer Security Filing) with US Customs and Border Protection at least 24 hours before the ship departs Japan. Upon arrival at the US port, you will submit EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7, and CBP Form 7501 to clear customs. We strongly advise hiring a licensed US Customs Broker to handle these filings to avoid severe penalties or port delays.
Yes. ROVER (Road Vehicle Regulator) is the Australian Government's online portal for managing vehicle imports. Before your vehicle can legally leave Japan, you must apply for and be granted a Vehicle Import Approval through the ROVER system. If a vehicle is shipped without this approval in place, the Australian Border Force will intercept the vehicle upon arrival, resulting in it being seized, crushed, or exported back at your expense.
Under Australia's Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA), vehicles that are 25 years or older from the exact date of manufacture qualify for the "Older Vehicle" import concession. This allows these classic vehicles to be imported for road use without needing to meet modern Australian Design Rules (ADRs) or go through a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW).
Yes. Australia enforces some of the strictest import regulations in the world:
Understanding standard shipping terms will help streamline your import process: