How to Buy and Export a Used Car from Japan

Japan has been a rich source of used cars forthe dealer and your local department of motor
many years and each day thousands of peoplevehicles if in doubt. You don't want to be left on
buy a used car direct from Japanese carthe docks with a bill for several thousand to make
auctions.The benefits are many:Good quality,the car conform before you can take it
reliable, economical and famous Japanese brandshome!Sending the requestIf the dealer has a
such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi.Lowstock of cars you can request on shown on their
milage. Most cars come with less than 100,000website in which case you will know the price and
kilometers on the clockGood condition. Regulardetails of the car.However if you are looking for
servicing and repairs due to strict Japanesesomething specific then you will have to send the
Government safety checks.Many options. Manydealer an email describing what you want. Most
owners choose several options, so your car willdealers have some sort of request form on their
come feature packed.Cheap! Cars can start atwebsite.ConfirmationIf you are buying from stock
auction for 1 yen, although you'll probably pay athen you will usually get a faster confirmation of
little more than that!And more...purchase. If you request something else then the
In this article I'll cover the following points to helpdealer will have to search for what you requested
you understand the Japanese used car marketat an auction and send you details of prices and
and make a more informed choice about buying aspecifications. It is then up to you to confirm or
car for export to your country.ask for a different model etc.PaymentOnce you
have decided on a car and price you will be
Japanese used car dealersrequired to pay for it. Methods and amounts vary
The buying and importing processby dealer.Some dealers require you pay 100%
Japanese used car dealersThe process of buyingupfront with by bank transfer (or telegraphic
and importing a used car has become muchtransfer T.T.) before the car is bought at auction
easier with the advent of the internet. There areor readied for shipping. Others require a less
thousands of dealers throughout Japan and aroundamount as a deposit and then a balance on
the world who have websites offering cars theycompletion of purchase at auction or when the
have in stock, or offering a custom car searchcar is ready for shipping.You may feel nervous
service where they take your specifications andsending money to a foreign country and unknown
search the auctions until they find a car to matchcompany so you should be sure of the dealers
your exact needs.There is a wide variety oftrustworthiness before you enter into a contract
export car dealers. Some dealers are hugeor send any money. You can do this by checking
organisations dealing with large volumes of carsto see if the dealer displays a company
while others are single entrepreneurs who runregistration number and address on their website,
their own businesses. Of course the larger athen ask the Japanese embassy in your country
company the bigger the overheads and sofor confirmation - although this may take a long
probably you'll end up paying slightly more intime and cost you extra.You can also check the
dealer fees, but you get more security frombank account. Japanese banking laws are strict
dealing with an established business. The choicewhen it comes to monetary movements and
between price and reliability is yours.The Japanesebank accounts. All registered businesses are
Government recognised JUMVEA (Japanese Usedrequired to have their accounts under exactly the
Motor Vehicle Exporters Assosciation) maintains asame name that they registered their company.If
member list of companies which "was created toyou are buying a used car online from Japan and
address this problem [of poor quality cars andthe name on the bank account is different from
dealers], being composed of used car exportersthe name of the trading company, or if its an
of excellent credentials and high credibility"individual, then you should investigate
JUMVEA website.Their aim is to give membershipmore.DeliveryDelivery times will vary according to
to those companies which show their reliability anddistance and number of ships to your country.
service over time, so if you are particularlyHere is a rough guideline.
worried about trust then look for a company withRussia and Hong Kong: three days
this accreditation. You can check the list ofNew Zealand and Australia: three weeks
members on the JUMVEA website, and accreditedRest of world: between four to six weeks
members will proudly display their membership onThere may be other times to include in the
their website.However not many companies havedelivery period such as a deregisteration
JUMVEA membership so before buying from acertificate for the Japanese owner which shows
non member do the following checks:See if thethe car has been sold by him, and finding a space
exporters bank details are listed on theon a boat to your port. These extra processes
websiteCall the company at least once to askcan take up another four to six weeks.ArrivalYour
about any questions you may have. Bona fidecar has arrived at your port and now you have
companies will have no problems with talking toto pick it up. Take the documentation which the
you over the phone, although be patient with theirdealer sent you to a shipping agent who will
English abilty!Ask for testimonialsCheck the qualityarrange the offloading of the car from the
of response to your enquiries. If the dealer isship.Depending on your country's laws you may
obscuring or dodging an issue then move onhave to pay import tax, licence the car, get car
In general use your common sense and ifsafety tests done, and insure the car.Now your
something is suspicious or dosent feel right thencar is legally imported and in your hands. Drive
don't proceed and find another dealer.The buyinghome carefully!Summary
and importing processCheck your country'sIn conclusion buying and exporting a used
lawBefore importing check your country's rulesJapanese car is fairly straightforward, and can
for importing used cars to make sure you aresave you a fair bit of money compared to buying
allowed to import the car you want. Mosta car in your own country. Choosing a reputable
countries have liberal laws and are mostlyfirm is probably the biggest priority to ensure a
concerned with emissions and safetysmooth transaction, and you should be aware of
standards.However these can add extra to theany extra costs your government may impose
cost of importing so make sure you research theto make the car conform to safety and emission
compatibility of the model you want with laws instandards.For more information please visit the
your own country. If you choose a car which isJapanese used car exporter portal. Includes
way outside the limits then you could be spendingdetailed information, dealer directory and car
a large amount to make it conform.Check withreviews.