The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

Alkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120768823#Comment_120768823

And another: https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/daihatsu-hijet/34372826

5500

@sssssss Did you get sorted/any update? If it makes you feel any better I know someone who just got their price back on a DC5 this morning for €11.5k (he expected 6/8k)

Its rotten but realistically for anything old/performance orientated now its as if you need to expect 10k minimum and hope its not much more

bliger

does anyone kno how to get nox certificate, local toyota dealer useless as they cant provide cert for the grey import

thanks

Midnight_EG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874384#Comment_120874384

If its an old yoke, you won't get one

bliger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874625#Comment_120874625

its 2018 auris dont know is it old or not, trying to get price down as my shipping was unexpected over 2000€

User1998

@bliger whats the engine code?

bliger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874719#Comment_120874719

2ZR-3JM

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120874814#Comment_120874814

https://www.env.go.jp/air/car/vehicles2015/LEV_chapter2-4.pdf

You might find it there somewhere

Joe Chang

MOD edit. Your entire post looks like it was written by a SPAM Bot.

Shredda23

Can I ask why your shipping was over 2k and it was unexpected? I’m in the process of getting info on an import and I am dealing with SBT in Japan. I read the reviews of them on Trustpilot and they frightened me so I am having second thoughts. I’m getting a 2017 hybrid Auris for 10k including shipping and storage. Then VRT, Duty and VAT should take it to roughly 13.5k. Looking at the second hand market you would be lucky to get one for 15k but the condition and the mileage would be up at 100km plus. Still wary about pulling the trigger as i have never imported before.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884276#Comment_120884276

€2k+ is standard for shipping these days

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884294#Comment_120884294

This post regarding the shipping price made me go back and look at the first post of this thread. He picked up a Chaser for less than 2 grand and a container shipping was a grand so RORO would have been even cheaper. Mad how things change in 10 years.

Shredda23

Are you using RORO or a container? The price I have for an Auris is RORO and is 1400. Just wondering if it might be worth paying the extra for a container. Has anyone on this thread used SBT Japan to source the car for them before and how did the experience go? Still very apprehensive about the whole thing but getting a second hand car here is just so expensive at the minute.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884314#Comment_120884314

Yeah haha I looked at the first post a few months ago as well. Container shipping has come right down again tho and is only around €2.5k

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884358#Comment_120884358

What is it your apprehensive about? They are a legit company. I’ve seen loads of their cars in Dublin Port. Also a container is more expensive, only makes sense if buying multiple cars.

Shredda23

I suppose the worry that I don’t get to see the car and just pay the company 10k and then I’m trusting that SBT put the car on the ship and it actually comes. I have the auction grade sheet and it is rated as a 4 so reading everything online that it meant to be pretty good. The SBT agent said there is a boat leaving on the 18th if August so the storage costs won’t be too much. I think it’s the Trustpilot reviews on SBT that has me spooked. Have you imported many cars from Japan before and have you had a good experience?

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884487#Comment_120884487

Well I’ve seen plenty of SBT cars get shipped to Dublin. Pretty certain a friend of mine used to buy loads of cars from them.

I’ve had both good & bad experiences

Good being fast shipping and cars with no issues

Bad being shipping that took 1 year and cars that have some issues

Shredda23

Sorry to ask you more questions but the cars that had issues, were they grade 4 auction reports? From reading this thread, the auction report may only refer to the exterior but the actual engine might have issues. There are a couple of white Auris hybrids on Done Deal at the minute that are very low mileage and look to be Jap imports but they are on sale for 17995. I suppose it is weighing up the risk of paying 13/14k and going through the import process versus paying 3/4k more but buying from a dealer. Thank you for all your responses so far.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884898#Comment_120884898

The auction reports are accurate, but any auction grade can have serious mechanical issues.

If dealers are selling them for €18k then you’ll get one here privately for €13/€14k after negotiating, and you’ll be able to view and test drive the car etc.

murphthesmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884487#Comment_120884487

Have you looked at JDM Auction Watch? They're an Irish based company, I've just used them myself to import a car. My first time importing, so was a big learning curve for me. But went smooth enough, I've VRT booked for Monday. They get lots of good reviews too, they're on Facebook or website.

https://www.jdmauctionwatch.com/

Shredda23

I have not looked into them but it might make the whole thing feel a bit safer dealing through an Irish agent. Thank you for the recommendation. Did you have any issues with your purchase or the process?

Shredda23

Yeah I know what you mean but the cars that are on the market privately seem to all have really high mileage. So I suppose it’s the trade off between taking the risk the Japanese car comes across and there are issues with the engine versus a higher mileage car that has passed the NCT and is probably going to be good. I have always bought Toyota and it’s just a car for the family that I am after.

bliger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120884276#Comment_120884276

Actually it’s my bad about surprising shipping cost as asked for shipping price a year ago and it was $85 m3 after I decided to buy a car I thought its mor or less the same price, but now its $183 m3. (Auris 11.279 m3) its RORO

Ask seller to provide you a Nox certificate or you will be charged flat rate €600 instead €30 for auris.

Shredda23

Thanks for reply, did you mention you imported an Auris? Did you deal with a Japanese export agent? How long did you wait from order to it actually arriving at Dublin port? Did you use a transport company to pick it up at the Port? Would be interested to hear your experience. Thanks again

murphthesmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120885383#Comment_120885383

I had no issues with them at all, process was fairly smooth. Only problems I've had were through my inexperience. I'd planned to drive it back from port, had spoken to my insurance broker who said they could give me temporary cover until I got a reg number. But when it came to it they couldn't. So had to get JDM to arrange transport for the car from Dublin to my house. I'd got VRT booked too, so had to reschedule that meaning a €50 penalty on that.

Car was a grade 4 on auction sheet, I can't find a single dent or scratch anywhere on it. Not even a stone chip.

There is a fault showing on it at the moment with high voltage battery. But I'm fairly sure that it's just because it's run down after the 3 months of transportation. It can only be charged through driving though, so can't just plug it in.

Have it booked at VRT tomorrow, so will be able to give it a bit of a run and put some charge into it. It only has 65k kms on it, so I'm hopeful it's all good.

If I did the process again, I'd book VRT to coincide with getting the car delivered. Get them to bring it straight to VRT centre. Then ring insurance as soon as I'm given a reg, so covered to drive home.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120887720#Comment_120887720

What car is it? I’ve never gotten a high voltage battery fault on any hybrid I’ve imported no matter how long it was sitting. But hopefully it goes away like you said

Shredda23

Thanks for the info. This is very useful.Do you mind me asking how much roughly transport was? I will have to go down the same route but my transport will have to deliver it Donegal so it will probably cost a fair whack. Keep us updated on how the VrT process goes and rough estimate of cost. I might switch from SBT and contact JDM tomorrow to give me peace of mind dealing with an Irish agent.

James Bond Junior

Has anybody imported a Golf GTI recently? I attempted but not sure on insurance etc

murphthesmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120887880#Comment_120887880

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

It's worrying. I've seen other cars in auctions that have any fault lights listed, there was nothing listed for mine. I've Googled it and can find nothing, only for older ActiveHybrid 7 cars that I believe used an earlier version of the tech.

The drive out tomorrow may tell, I've it booked for a service Tuesday too with a BMW mechanic who has been trained on the hybrids. Fingers crossed.

murphthesmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120888110#Comment_120888110

was 250 for me to the midlands.

eamonnq

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120887720#Comment_120887720

Did you need to book the VRT inspection a few weeks ahead and how long did it take from the ship landing in Dublin until you were able to get your car. Have one on the way but was hoping to be able to insure it and drive it from the docks but it looks as though that could be an issue. If I could book the VRT Inspection and have the car delivered to the inspection centre it might be the best thing, but don't want to book an inspection and then not be able to get the car there for it.

5500

Its usually 2/3 days after landing that it's cleared to go unless customs take a look and request further info, Don't try and book vrt for the day you think its expected to clear, there can be too many delays with customs and cars and you'll likely miss an appointment, just try booking it for the following week after the cars due arrival to be safe (bare in mind you only have a few days free loading before port fees kick in) incase you planned to leave it sitting there, personally as soon as a car is cleared I get it outta there asap.

Bare in mind the car may have been sitting months, battery possibly dead and running on petrol fumes, sometimes depending on the car driving it home isn't a wise choice and your better off getting a tow untill you've had a good look over (I've learned my lesson getting stuck on the quays on a Friday afternoon)

eamonnq

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120890739#Comment_120890739

Thanks, seems that it might be necessary to get it towed from the port and then towed to the NCT centre unless there is some way to arrange insurance before it gets VRT'd.

5500

Even have it towed from the port and give it a once over at home, then if you can insure it off the Japanese reg (top left of your translated export cert) drive it to your vrt appointment. Depending on the car you might not get the price there and then so just be prepared that you might have to wait a week, you don't need to present the car a second time though when going to pay if it was a case they can't do it on the day and you'd had it towed

eamonnq

Thanks again, but if i can get it insured off the Japanese reg I would be happier to drive it from the port home (or to the nearest petrol stationi), but thought that it had to be VRTd before it could be insured as per the other posters experience.

LIGHTNING

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120894407#Comment_120894407

I have insured my last one on Jap plates and drove it home and then to the VRT centre. The battery on the car was dead but I have a mobile jump pack with me. Didn't need it as the lads had one as well. I suspect they are used to dead batteries.

5500

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120894407#Comment_120894407

Seems to depend on company/policy, just give yours a bell and see if they will do it, There's a petrol station just down the road on your right hand side beside Aldi if you take a right coming out of the compound

The Black Oil

Was looking at https://www.amcc.ie/ earlier re 2019 Yaris models, potentially to replace my 2012 hybrid one which has served me well for 7 years, originally a UK import.

Can you get higher spec offerings if you do some of the legwork yourself? By more spec, I mean the cabin is a little basic. My current one has buttons on the steering wheel, imports don't. Would prefer 2021 onwards ideally, but that's main dealer, really.

Unless I start looking at other Toyotas.

mczandre

Hey guys

would you recommend any other car exporter/agents from Japanese auctions other than the JDM Auction Watch? It doesn’t necessarily need to be based here in Ireland as long as it is reliable.

I heard that major dealers are using the likes of Jimex but I’d love to hear your thoughts …

Thx

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120912503#Comment_120912503

IBC?

5500

The below might be of interest to the stasticians amongst us, it's the exported vehicle figures from Japan for may and June.

You can see ireland sitting at the bottom, the FOB is the average price per unit sold

LilyM1980

Sorry if this has already been asked . What is the best insurance company to quote for a car insurance for a Japanese import. Many Thanks in advance.

wotzgoingon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120935948#Comment_120935948

axa, liberty. There more but I don't know them. Those two I used for a 90's Jap yoke in the past.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120935948#Comment_120935948

Axa or Allianz. Call direct, don’t go online

mczandre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120913047#Comment_120913047

Thanks for your reply.

I've read this whole thread and it doesn't seem to cover IBC a lot, so I would love to learn more about your experiences. Tips, recommendations, and etc.

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120923602#Comment_120923602

All those countries surely don't drive on the left do they??

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120937377#Comment_120937377

They are mostly third world countries with awful roads. They probably don’t care what side of the car the steering wheel is on

RayzerSharpe

Anyone imported and BMW from Japan. Importing something like a 530e seems to be cheaper alternative than the UK atm and here. the model here is a G30 but in Japan it seems to be a DBA-JA20 in japan. Wonder if there is much difference if any 

kanuseeme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121130855#Comment_121130855

3LA-JA20PH 2019-now 530e

CLA-JA20P 2016 -2019 530e

ja-20 is the 530i

you kinda want to make sure of what you are buying. lol

No difference only maps and charging socket as far as I know.

murphthesmurf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121130855#Comment_121130855

The 530e don't seem to come up very often. Other than what kanuseeme said, there's no difference.