The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

Stephen7287 · 30-08-2015 9:18pm

Here's a question for everyone in the thread. If I was to buy a 94-97 Corolla on Done Deal for 1.5-5k, how long would I get out of it?
The whole reason I want to import one from Japan is because I want it to last a lifetime.

colm_mcm · 30-08-2015 9:23pm

It really depends on how it's been treated up till now.
As long as it hasn't been ragged and it's been serviced every so often it'd be grand.
Obviously you'd need to do the timing belt if it's due.
They are very robust cars. It might be worth getting one from the UK as you often get OAP owned minters over there.

colm_mcm · 30-08-2015 9:30pm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508296451205?maximum-age=over_10_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=1.3&price-to=2500&make=toyota&sort=priceasc&model=corolla&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&channel=cars&search-target=usedcars&page=2&postcode=ln12na&logcode=p

This one looks great
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508286428827?maximum-age=over_10_years_old&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&keywords=1.3&price-to=2500&make=toyota&sort=priceasc&model=corolla&body-type=hatchback&radius=1500&channel=cars&search-target=usedcars&page=2&postcode=ln12na&logcode=p

colm_mcm · 30-08-2015 9:35pm

1.6 3 door
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507265526019?sort=priceasc&radius=1500&price-to=2500&page=1&maximum-age=over_10_years_old&body-type=hatchback&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&search-target=usedcars&make=toyota&postcode=ln12na&keywords=1995&channel=cars&model=corolla&logcode=p

gt4-wrc · 30-08-2015 9:44pm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Jap imports cant be classics, apparantly.

personal experience,this is not true i have a jap import on a classic policy

Stephen7287 · 30-08-2015 11:53pm

im looking for the 7th generation saloon.

31-08-2015 8:03am

colm_mcm wrote: »

It really depends on how it's been treated up till now.
As long as it hasn't been ragged and it's been serviced every so often it'd be grand.
Obviously you'd need to do the timing belt if it's due.
They are very robust cars. It might be worth getting one from the UK as you often get OAP owned minters over there.

if he can get a good one for 2 or 3 grand , it leaves 7 grand of the budget which you could do an aweful lot of work to a car if he wanted

Stephen7287 · 31-08-2015 10:49am

You can't really get a lot done out of 7 grand. Do you know how much a good set of wheels cost? And a vinyl wrap? And if I pay 2 or 3 grand on a car, is it worth paying 10k - 15k on it? Or will it just break down in a year because it was so cheap?

31-08-2015 11:44am

Stephen7287 wrote: »

You can't really get a lot done out of 7 grand. Do you know how much a good set of wheels cost? And a vinyl wrap? And if I pay 2 or 3 grand on a car, is it worth paying 10k - 15k on it? Or will it just break down in a year because it was so cheap?

So you are looking to do a boy racer to the car then?

There are plenty of 2-3 grand cars on the road that are reliable, as colm pointed out look in the uk for mint ones. a well serviced car 200k miles can be more reliable than a underserviced unloved 50k miles one

so say you pay 10k for one from japan and you dont like the alloys that come with it, you will have to replace them anyway. i stuck a nice set under the A4 a few months back, came off a 2015 A6 span new , the owner didnt like them, 5 genuine audi alloys 5 pirelli p7s locking wheel nuts for 500 euro.

Will you be getting one that has been vinyl wrapped? , probably not , so you are budgeting for that anyway.
even if it is wrapped you might not like the wrap and have to go again.

Other cons as mentioned are insurance will be dear on a jap import.
Another thing to think about is if you were were involved in an accident , lets say someone hits the car and causes 4 or 5 grands worth of damage , the insurance will pay out market value which means straight away you will be badly out of pocket . just because you paid 10k for a 97 corolla doesnt mean its worth more than 3k to the insurance.

Stephen7287 · 31-08-2015 12:16pm

Type in 'LadyOnWheels 94 Corolla' on Google. That's how I want it to look. No spoiler, no loud exhaust, no ricer ****.
If I bought a Corolla on Done Deal, I'd get it refurbished (remove dents, scratches, and rust) get it vinyl wrapped (black gloss) get a really nice set of wheels, and change the interior.
So, I can pay 2k on a car off Done Deal, then pay 10-15 grand on it. Or import one from Japan for 6,500-10,000 and do the same amount of work on it. Which one are you saying would last longer (When you buy them from a Japanese auction site they are near mint condition.

Kevhog1988 · 31-08-2015 12:26pm

Stephen7287 wrote: »

Type in 'LadyOnWheels 94 Corolla' on Google. That's how I want it to look. No spoiler, no loud exhaust, no ricer ****.
If I bought a Corolla on Done Deal, I'd get it refurbished (remove dents, scratches, and rust) get it vinyl wrapped (black gloss) get a really nice set of wheels, and change the interior.
So, I can pay 2k on a car off Done Deal, then pay 10-15 grand on it. Or import one from Japan for 6,500-10,000 and do the same amount of work on it. Which one are you saying would last longer (When you buy them from a Japanese auction site they are near mint condition.

you want to spend 10k on a corolla? i know of a spotless levin for 3.5k. also know of a completely rebuilt 20v ae101 for around the 4 mark

millington · 02-09-2015 9:27am

Stephen7287 wrote: »

When you buy them from a Japanese auction site they are near mint condition.

Haha you've obviously never seen the state of some of the heaps that roll off the boat here. They're are good cars still out there alright but theres also plenty a hell of a lot worse than here.

Why on Gods earth would you need to spend 10k on an E10 Corolla? :eek: And then bring vinyl wrapping into the conversation :rolleyes:

You'll be a long time waiting for a grade 4 E10 saloon to come up in Japan. Better off looking around here, still plenty of minters about. 1500-2k will buy a fine car. But if you want perfection, then another 2k will give it a perfect paint job.

What the hell could possibly cost 10k without coating it in gold?

JC01 · 03-09-2015 12:23am

Stephen7287 wrote: »

You can't really get a lot done out of 7 grand. Do you know how much a good set of wheels cost? And a vinyl wrap? And if I pay 2 or 3 grand on a car, is it worth paying 10k - 15k on it? Or will it just break down in a year because it was so cheap?

You really really can actually, genuine set of Volks in 15" 1k-1.5k for an immaculate set.

Full respray 2.5k

7k would fully rebuild the suspension, brakes etc, spray the car and throw ina healthy 20v to boot.

And what can break down in it? There a ridiculously simple engine it's half the reason there so reliable. The biggest bill you could have is 500e for a replacement engine.

And as an owner of a performance jap car your tapped to be considering spending 10k on a 101

Pascal101 · 14-01-2016 5:59pm

Hi there, NCT office in carrick on shannon asking a letter from honda dealers in ireland for Co2 emmision of Honda Insight.
Refusing the certificate of emission from Japan from exporter, the specification sheet from Honda Japan cannot be print from a website.
Honda dealers ireland refusing to issue letter for a car that was not sold in ireland.
What others importer presenting for Co2 emission?
Pleased provide the NCT center you go.

14-01-2016 8:43pm

I've seen this a lot lately, they won't accept a letter issued from the exporter anymore with the co2 figure wrote on it, and likewise a dealer here wont want to know about it.

Your exporter/agent has to get the official spec sheet with co2 rating from Japan and send it with a translated English copy.

If not you'll be charged the vrt rate at the highest level of 36% as opposed to the 14% that it shows up as on the online system.

Don't leave it over 30 days or you'll be fined, better off paying and appealing if you can get the papers at a later date

ejabrod · 15-04-2016 10:54am

Anyone able to give a rough estimate of landing (ex VRT) a €3,000 car from Japan?

15-04-2016 11:18am

Is the 3k your CIF price or FOB price?

ejabrod · 15-04-2016 11:32am

I am assuming FOB as €3,000 is just the price of the car only, nothing else.

15-04-2016 11:44am

Shipping varies on car size so that's a variable but roughly around €5500/€5700 for a saloon sized car by the time it's cleared customs ready to collect from the port ex vrt

Barr · 19-05-2016 11:41am

Prehaps I missed it in the thread.

If you buy from a place like trade car view , is there a way to get it checked beforehand ?

I suppose something like an AA inspection in Japan ...does this exist ?

ejabrod · 27-05-2016 3:21pm

They do a yearly inspection called Shaken (AFAIK)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor-vehicle_inspection_(Japan)

ejabrod · 31-07-2016 10:37am

Anyone with a thought on VRT for a 2003 Lancer Evo GT-A?

ejabrod · 26-08-2016 4:57pm

ejabrod wrote: »

Anyone with a thought on VRT for a 2003 Lancer Evo GT-A?

Just in case anyone is interested. The díckheads in Rosslare came back with a valuation of €3,100 for this car.

Absolute joke.

Appeals here I come

Tzardine · 27-08-2016 9:26am

ejabrod wrote: »

Just in case anyone is interested. The díckheads in Rosslare came back with a valuation of €3,100 for this car.

Absolute joke.

Appeals here I come

Seems about right. How much do you value it at.

ejabrod · 27-08-2016 10:33am

Tzardine wrote: »

Seems about right. How much do you value it at.

Really? For a 13 year old GT-A, not a GSR, not a GT, not a RS a GT-A? :rolleyes:

In the real world the valuation is approx €800 over. A €2,300 valuation would indicate an OMSP of €8,700+/- for this variant which is about right. Coupled with the fact that 2 years ago the valuation was €1,470, this valuation is ridiculous.

Tzardine · 27-08-2016 12:05pm

The valuation 2 years ago is irrelevant. Values go up and down all the time.

There are a number of 2003 evos for sale, of different varieties, at the moment. Based on the market value of these, the vrt looks spot on. They will also look at this on appeal. I don't see them making it much lower if at all.

ejabrod · 27-08-2016 12:59pm

Tzardine wrote: »

The valuation 2 years ago is irrelevant. Values go up and down all the time.

There are a number of 2003 evos for sale, of different varieties, at the moment. Based on the market value of these, the vrt looks spot on. They will also look at this on appeal. I don't see them making it much lower if at all.

You clearly understand the Japanese performance car market and in particular this make/model/variant.

The 2003 Evo's that you see on the market are the next iteration and higher spec variants. Like I previously stated the 2003 models are Evo VIII GSR RS and GT variants (GT a lot less common) NOT the VII auto model. They have higher power output, higher spec interior etc. etc. (which on cars 4 years + is not supposed to be taken into account but clearly it does).

In the world of Evo's the GT-A is the least desirable as it is an automatic therefore draws lesser selling values. It is even less desirable than the 260 VIII (another variant which a lot of people cannot distinguish from a GSR)

Also, the price you are referring to on the 2003 is the asking price, not the selling price. I know, as a matter of fact, of 2 that have sold recently (2003 VIII GSR) for €2,000 less than the asking price i.e. the selling price (as in the OMSP : Open Market Selling Price).

Again, I bow to your superior knowledge of this particular market.

Anybody importing from Japan, be prepared to receive an arbitrary price based on nothing more that the mood of the pen pushin overpaid civil servant in revenue.

Tzardine · 27-08-2016 8:01pm

Cool story bro.

Good luck with the appeal.

Pkiernan · 27-08-2016 9:25pm

ejabrod wrote: »

You clearly understand the Japanese performance car market and in particular this make/model/variant.

The 2003 Evo's that you see on the market are the next iteration and higher spec variants. Like I previously stated the 2003 models are Evo VIII GSR RS and GT variants (GT a lot less common) NOT the VII auto model. They have higher power output, higher spec interior etc. etc. (which on cars 4 years + is not supposed to be taken into account but clearly it does).

In the world of Evo's the GT-A is the least desirable as it is an automatic therefore draws lesser selling values. It is even less desirable than the 260 VIII (another variant which a lot of people cannot distinguish from a GSR)

Also, the price you are referring to on the 2003 is the asking price, not the selling price. I know, as a matter of fact, of 2 that have sold recently (2003 VIII GSR) for €2,000 less than the asking price i.e. the selling price (as in the OMSP : Open Market Selling Price).

Again, I bow to your superior knowledge of this particular market.

Anybody importing from Japan, be prepared to receive an arbitrary price based on nothing more that the mood of the pen pushin overpaid civil servant in revenue.

YAWN.....

ejabrod · 29-08-2016 8:33am

Tzardine wrote: »

Cool story bro.

Good luck with the appeal.

Good response. :rolleyes:

ejabrod · 29-08-2016 8:35am

Pkiernan wrote: »

YAWN.....

Very insightful. Why not go look for some baggy hunting trousers for yourself.

29-08-2016 7:40pm

Using a valuation from 2 years ago as an appeal wont get you far, I used a valuation from a month prior on the same make/model/spec car before and they wouldn't entertain it, When it comes to any Jap car not on the online system your at their mercy, and its a common occurrence for crazy VRT figures to be issued as in most cases they outsource the query to a third party consultant who will determine what they think the omsp is.

All you can do is appeal your price with solid info backing up that the car's value is less than what Revenue valued it at. Whilst the GTA may not be the most desirable model, I've known revenue to charge extra on an auto car as opposed to manual too, so you need to specify the different makes and models in your claim and why you think yours is worth less. If you can get co2 figures from Mitsubishi for the car which would also put it in a lower bracket then this would also help but from VRT'ing numerous Jap car's myself this year and also lodging an appeal, you really need to make a strong case with figures/proof to back up to be in with a chance of any return from it.

vjmcdonnell · 27-12-2016 5:12pm

How long does the boat take from Japan to Dublin, currently looking at importing an Impreza WRX STI 1996

27-12-2016 6:18pm

6 to 8 weeks at present, depending on shipping company and route taken there's 1/3 sailings per month from Japan to Dublin

vjmcdonnell · 27-12-2016 6:21pm

Wow thanks for the swift reply

Pops_20 · 07-01-2017 2:40pm

I'm in the process of importing a car from Japan at the moment and have begun to research the VRT rates.

The rate of VRT you pay is a percentage of the open market selling price of the car, but how is this percentage determined?

Revenue have a table of percentage figures based on the CO2 emissions of the car, but this is just for 2008 cars onwards right?

My car is 1995. It's not on the revenue VRT calculator. How is the rate of VRT determined?

Toyotafanboi · 07-01-2017 3:01pm

Pops_20 wrote: »

I'm in the process of importing a car from Japan at the moment and have begun to research the VRT rates.

The rate of VRT you pay is a percentage of the open market selling price of the car, but how is this percentage determined?

Revenue have a table of percentage figures based on the CO2 emissions of the car, but this is just for 2008 cars onwards right?

My car is 1995. It's not on the revenue VRT calculator. How is the rate of VRT determined?

I don't know the answer to your question, but please be another Starlet!

Pops_20 · 07-01-2017 3:21pm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

I don't know the answer to your question, but please be another Starlet!

Sorry, not this time! I've gone mad and bought a 180sx

Toyotafanboi · 07-01-2017 7:09pm

Pops_20 wrote: »

Sorry, not this time! I've gone mad and bought a 180sx

That's fierce exciting, feel free to drop me PM!

08-01-2017 7:08pm

Revenue calculate the omsp by using a magic algorithm of done deal, auto trader, and a third party surveyor

You won't get a vrt price until about a week after you bring the car for inspection at the nct centre. I haven't heard of any 180sx registered lately but the last ps13 I know cost the guy €2200, so Ithat might not be too far off that.

Pops_20 · 09-01-2017 10:13am

5500 wrote: »

Revenue calculate the omsp by using a magic algorithm of done deal, auto trader, and a third party surveyor

You won't get a vrt price until about a week after you bring the car for inspection at the nct centre. I haven't heard of any 180sx registered lately but the last ps13 I know cost the guy €2200, so Ithat might not be too far off that.

Thanks for the reply. So if the car is given an OMSP of €8k, and the VRT rate is a percentage of this, how is the rate determined? I know that for post 2008 cars there is a table of rates based on CO2 emissions, but I don't know about older cars.

Also, what's the best way to get an unregistered import to the NCT centre, if not on the back of a transporter?
I presume you can't take out insurance on the car if its not yet registered?

09-01-2017 12:11pm

Its the same for pre 08 cars with regard to vrt, The rate is defaulted to 36% unless you can prove the emissions to be lower reflecting a lower band. The tax band will reflect the engine size though as opposed to the co2 figure for post 08 cars.

Some companies will insure you on the chassis number or Japanese reg but other than that it's a transporter

vjmcdonnell · 05-03-2017 7:21pm

I am having a issue trying to contact Titan Autoworks. emails bounce back and cant find Tom on Skype

Is it just me?
Any other recommendations that people have used.

vjmcdonnell · 06-03-2017 6:39pm

Got though to them on fb, am I right in assuming that the 1,000 euro deposit is the agent fees. For paperwork and transferring the car from action to the boat.
Just want to be sure I have my figures correct

06-03-2017 7:14pm

Not sure how Tom work's but just make sure you have a breakdown in advance so you know your full costs more or less and that your not going in blind so to speak. The deposit is most likely just incase you buy a car and then decide you dont want it and he has to re-auction it, his own fee is likely to be separate.

Pops_20 · 13-03-2017 1:46pm

My car should be landing in Dublin within the next week or two - just a quick question with regard to booking the VRT inspection.

Does anyone have any experience with how long it takes to get an appointment? Or are there specific days of the week that the NCT centre will do VRT inspections.

For instance, if I wait until the car lands, will I get a VRT appointment within the 30 days, or should I be booking it now.

vjmcdonnell · 13-03-2017 1:55pm

Pops_20 wrote: »

My car should be landing in Dublin within the next week or two - just a quick question with regard to booking the VRT inspection.

Does anyone have any experience with how long it takes to get an appointment? Or are there specific days of the week that the NCT centre will do VRT inspections.

For instance, if I wait until the car lands, will I get a VRT appointment within the 30 days, or should I be booking it now.

Brought a car in from the UK in Oct and all I had to do was book an appointment on the NCT website, it gave me a numbers of dates available.

Pops_20 · 13-03-2017 2:02pm

vjmcdonnell wrote: »

Brought a car in from the UK in Oct and all I had to do was book an appointment on the NCT website, it gave me a numbers of dates available.

Thanks for the reply. How long does it take? Do they just give the car a quick inspection outside the centre?
Anything in particular that they check?

vjmcdonnell · 13-03-2017 2:20pm

Pops_20 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. How long does it take? Do they just give the car a quick inspection outside the centre?
Anything in particular that they check?

They gave it a quick look over, checked the Vin number. The inspection was quick but waiting on paperwork to be done, was about 45 mins all in from what I remember. Was a bit of waiting to be called though. Guess 20-25 mins

Pops_20 · 30-03-2017 11:21am

With regard to the VRT inspection, once you go for the inspection and provide all the relevant documents, how long does it take Revenue to come back to you with a VRT price and registration number?

Do you get the registration number that day and then pay the VRT, or do you have to pay the VRT first and then get the reg number?

The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

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