The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

WildCardDoW

Cheers @trellheim and @User1998

trellheim

Coming back to this, can you bring Jap imports to main dealers for their marque ? I am considering a Lexus. Also if anyone knows if their ICE can be remapped to English (otherwise it'll be painful ! )

xtreger

I am importing a BMW 320i from Japan. I found the CO2 emissions for the specific model on mlit.go.jp. Do I need the NOx also, or is the CO2 enough, assuming the max NOx for petrol engines is €600? Alternatively, if someone has info where I can find the NOx, that would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: I found the NOx for 320i here (https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000057726.pdf) but the model number (DBA-8A20) does not match the model number of the vehicle I'm importing (LBA-PG20) can that be a problem?

The CO2 spreadsheet (https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/000206645.pdf) does have the correct model number for the 320i.

Edit 2: I feel like I've "informed" myself as much as I could on the whole import process, so the only way I see fit to learn further is through doing it. I will post the full experience, costs, and every bit of information I gather during this process, which should hopefully be helpful to others.

User1998

You need Nox, model number needs to match exactly

xtreger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123307493#Comment_123307493

Would the NOx for 320i not suffice given technically it’s the same model car (not the same model number)?

If not, any idea where I could find the NOx for the specific model number? I searched mlit and env up and down and for the life of me I cannot find it.

One more thing I know the Jap and non Jap options are completely different on the VRT calculator but can I base myself off the non Jap value? It’s 1500 with max NOx for a 2012 320i. Can they shaft me far beyond that?

Thanks for the help, I found your answers throughout this thread very useful!

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123308989#Comment_123308989

No, it won’t suffice. You need to have the exact model number.

Japanese 320i is viewed as a completely different car to a non Japanese model, so yes they can most definitely shaft you beyond €1500. What year is it?

xtreger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309019#Comment_123309019

It’s Jan 2012 320i 60k km LBA-PG20

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309109#Comment_123309109

Not a great car to import if I’m honest. 163g of NEDC Co2, converts to 184g WLTP, which is 35% VRT. Second highest VRT bracket.

The car isn’t on the VRT calculator so it will be sent to Revenue for a manual valuation. So based off a current OMSP of €10,000. VRT could be around €3500*

*There are currently two for sale in dealers priced at for €10,000. So €10,000 x 35% gives €3500.

For reference I imported a 2016 330e and only paid €1500 VRT

xtreger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309133#Comment_123309133

Yeah looks like I’ll have to take the hit with this one, will probably have to go through the appeal process and get someone to do a valuation on the car to get some money back if they pull a wild number out of their ass. If you have any advice on this it would be really appreciated.

Note for the future is to avoid cars that are not in the VRT list, it seems like it will save a bit of hassle and money too.

Thanks again!

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123309590#Comment_123309590

Yeah, anything thats not the VRT calculator gets sent to Revenue and you usually get f*cked over big time.

Serverio

I have exactly same situation, please give me their contact ,you will save me 🙏