Importing car from japan

seann1

Has Anyone had any experience with importing a jdm car? What websites did you use and what was the process? Any tips? I'm toying with the idea of importing an 1990s honda s2000.

I'm looking at a site called sbtjapan.com

Final price looks good but I'm not sure if that is the final price and it takes care of everything. Anyone git any insight for me?

User1998

SBT don’t include any local charges. VAT, customs, VRT, port charges etc

mikeecho

I'm also looking at getting something from Japan

(A euro6 duuurty daysul)

And would love to know the exact steps to take.

I've been looking on

https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/

And

https://www.carsensor.net/

But once I've found my car.. what do I do next..

Dumb it down for me

Whatwicklow

Just use one of the agents, it cuts out all the nonsense and you will get the benefit of their experience in selecting the 'right'. Car to buy and ensuring it arrives ready for vrt with the appropriate paperwork.

I can't see value in a a one off DIY import.

User1998

Yeah I don’t know what sites you are trying to buy from there. You can’t just buy from the auction yourself. You need to use an agent. Who is going to de register the car, transport it to the port and arrange your shipping?

mikeecho

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123298941#Comment_123298941

That's exactly what I'm asking

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123299373#Comment_123299373

JDM Auction Watch is usually recommended. I don’t know their fees but I wouldn’t pay much more than €600 commission unless its an expensive car

dRNk SAnTA

I am in the process of buying a car from a dealer in Dublin, it just arrived from Japan. The thing is, I don't know how they're making a margin because when I look at similar cars on the Japanese Auction sites, delivered to Dublin port and then estimate the VRT, VAT, Excise etc, I end up beyond the price I'm being offered in Dublin by the dealer.

Is there some secret I'm not aware of?

I'd love to do this myself if it were worthwhile.

OP please share anything you find

mikeecho

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123306956#Comment_123306956

I'm guessing they are buying in bulk, and getting a discount on shipping and admin costs.

Also they are probably all white cars.

I'm looking to get something specific (not white or black) and not from an auction.

TheDamIrish

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123306956#Comment_123306956

when I look at similar cars on the Japanese Auction sites

You are likely looking at exporter stock prices, not actual auction prices.

5500

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123306956#Comment_123306956

As above, Exporter's stock price, so including (usually a decent) profit margin, auction price would be considerably less, which is what the dealer your buying from here is doing.

@mikeecho if your looking to buy something from a dealers stock in Japan, any of the importers here should be able to get it for you via their Japanese agent. It wouldnt generally be the usual for an actual dealer in Japan to deal direct with an overseas buyer and arrange dereg/export (some of them can be really awkward, and wont sell a car if they know its being exported) unless its one of the specialist dealers eg Garage defend, but your paying their markup ect over buying from auction, so i wouldnt be ruling it out unless its something really special that rarely comes up.