The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

LeifErikson · 21-12-2020 9:46am

Thanks for the responses, this is really helpful.

Asdfgh2020 · 23-01-2021 11:38am

Just wondering if anyone out there has ever gone to the bother of importing a car directly by themselves from Japan as opposed to just buying a jap import from some one here......with Brexit making Uk imports cost prohibitive could japan be another option especially given that they drive in same side of road as us. from a quick google shipping costs are around €1000 and there are literally 1000’s available....I would suppose biggest risk is having to buy something without ever seeing/testing driving it first etc......?

passatman86 · 23-01-2021 11:40am

The fees to get a jap import are also just as expensive

biko · 23-01-2021 11:44am

Merged with the big Jap import thread. Much info if you read it all

23-01-2021 12:16pm

passatman86 wrote: »

The fees to get a jap import are also just as expensive

No. Customs Duty between Japan and E.U. is being removed over a number of years. It has already begun to sink and will continue to sink over the next decade.

It is part of the reason why Nissan, Toyota and Honda are reviewing their production activities in the UK.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/brexit-for-individuals/importing-a-vehicle-from-great-britain-gb-or-northern-ireland.aspx

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/august/tradoc_157229.pdf

passatman86 · 23-01-2021 12:38pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

No. Customs Duty between Japan and E.U. is being removed over a number of years. It has already begun to sink and will continue to sink over the next decade.

It is part of the reason why Nissan, Toyota and Honda are reviewing their production activities in the UK.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/brexit/brexit-for-individuals/importing-a-vehicle-from-great-britain-gb-or-northern-ireland.aspx

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2018/august/tradoc_157229.pdf

I wouldn't have the skill to do it, but would like to see a comparison of difference in price to buy an on the road example for lets say a 2015 camry. The 3 examples being one irsh, a jap import, and uk import - all with an irish reg. Would make for an interesting read

23-01-2021 1:04pm

Camry isn't a good example for importation.
Something with a hybrid powertrain or small petrol engine is cheaper to import.

passatman86 · 23-01-2021 1:43pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Camry isn't a good example for importation.
Something with a hybrid powertrain or small petrol engine is cheaper to import.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-camry-2-5-hybrid-face-lift/26754514?campaign=3

I was thinking this camry hybrid as an example buts its neither here nor there.. Its the price comparison i was more interested in

Atlantic Dawn · 23-01-2021 2:00pm

I was looking at importing directly from Japan myself, I notice on the likes of a Prius, Corolla, Civic, Jazz etc they are priced generally a fair bit cheaper than here but on the premium brands like Lexus, BMW etc a lot of them are actually more expensive than car of same age here. The run of the mill stuff seems to depreciate much more over there than the premium cars which is the exact opposite of what happens here.

This site has a large selection of cars...
https://www.japanesecartrade.com/

Not sure on shipping costs now, when I looked in to it would have cost around €1200 but I have seen costs to bring a container from China to UK has jumped from about £1600 in November to £10,0000 now.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55740063

Midnight_EG · 23-01-2021 2:37pm

I'm currently in the process of privately importing a car from Japan, deregistration and shipping costs were roughly €1000

trellheim · 23-01-2021 4:12pm

I was looking at importing directly from Japan myself, I notice on the likes of a Prius, Corolla, Civic, Jazz etc they are priced generally a fair bit cheaper than here but on the premium brands like Lexus

Yes premum brands are eyewateringly expensive

bazz26 · 23-01-2021 4:46pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Camry isn't a good example for importation.
Something with a hybrid powertrain or small petrol engine is cheaper to import.

The Camry has been available as a hybrid in Japan for nearly a decade. If you look at most of the 2012 to 2017 ones being sold on the likes of carzone you will see they are all hybrids imported from Japan.

23-01-2021 6:49pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Camry isn't a good example for importation.
Something with a hybrid powertrain or small petrol engine is cheaper to import.

The only value really to be had out of Japan is the likes of the above, smaller petrols/hybrids can come in better than buying here, anything performance related forget about it.

Rough breakdown in euro is

Car cost XXXX
Local transport, dereg, agent commission fee €700 (usually built into price if buying a car dealer, some will charge more for transport if the shipment port is far from their yard, or if your using an agent it will be their set fee to you)

RoRo Shipping (€600/800 depending on car size and shipping company used, container will cost more )

That's your CIF (cost including freight) price and will get you the car out of Japan, once it gets to Ireland its then

10% Duty of the CIF
Then 23% VAT on CIF and duty added together
€90 Stevedore fee for unloading the car from the ship
€150 customs clearance

That'll be your cost up to the point of collecting from the port, then just factor in possible miscellaneous expenses eg battery, service, tow of car from port, tyres

Then get your VRT quote off revenue, it should give you a rough idea of how prices compare.

If your buying through one of the bigger companies there's normally slight haggle room, but similar to UK it tends to be hundreds rather than thousands of a discount.

Its cheaper to use an agent and buy from auction than direct from stock, as the dealers stock has likely passed through the auction and now has their profit added on, but there's a heap of variables that will dictate the auction price eg mileage grade/condition colour model ect, it can take time to find the right car so you need patience otherwise straight from a dealer is the easier and quicker option

Esel · 24-01-2021 2:17pm

I think CIF is Cost / Insurance / Freight?

Midnight_EG · 24-01-2021 2:54pm

Esel wrote: »

I think CIF is Cost / Insurance / Freight?

Insurance isn't mandatory

User1998 · 24-01-2021 3:14pm

C&F is the car and freight. CIF is the car, insurance and freight. The insurance is only €50-€100

I wouldn’t really recommend importing from Japan for noobies or people not in the car trade. If all your paperwork isn’t in order your car will be stuck in Dublin Port and won’t be released. And if you don’t have documentation verifying the co2 and Nox emissions you will have to pay 36% vrt, €600 nox and I think the car will be in the highest tax band of €2,400. This rarely happens but if private individuals started importing from Japan I’d say it would become more common. And as above theres a few hidden costs such as customs broker, new battery, new tyres if they have no E mark, having the car towed from the port.

If your confident you can sort all that beforehand and your willing to wait 3 months until your car is on the road then yeah theres decent savings to be had on the smaller cars but unless your doing it for profit or your getting something interesting like a Skyline etc then I don’t really see the point

24-01-2021 4:59pm

Esel wrote: »

I think CIF is Cost / Insurance / Freight?

Yep typo your right, imo its worth always taking for the small extra that it costs. When the cars are being unloaded the guys wouldn't be the gentlest coming off the ramps, its not uncommon for bumpers to get clipped ect, its even more prevalent now with cars being transhipped due to no direct sailings to dublin, the car may be unloaded and sitting in zebrugge or Amsterdam for a week or two before going on another ship, regardless MAKE SURE you have a damage report form filled in at dublin port before taking the car away if you spot anything that wasn't there previously.

If you are importing anything fancy, ask the agent to remove the likes of gearknobs or anything easily detached and send them to you separately, as 90% of the time they go missing at some stage of the journey

I wouldn't discourage anyone trying it for themselves, just as above make sure you have your bits in order, there's more paperwork across the board nowadays than there was in the past, but its enjoyable to do, and you can't beat the excitement picking up something special from the docks either

deegs · 18-03-2021 9:31pm

Just saying thanks for all the info in this thread.
Been considering jdm for almost a decade and brought 3 petrol cars in from the UK in the same time.

Looking to bring in a large top spec hse discovery and the nox rates were mental. Finally pulled the trigger and found a Fab v8 version in absolutely ridiculous condition in Japan and teeny mileage. Literally only 2 or 3 available worldwide and this had the best mileage.

As others have said having an agent is very important. Found the car and bid last week. Was outbid but reserve not met and car didn't sell.

Same car went up last night, this time I upped my bid and won it but reserve was still not met and car did not sell.

Then the agent went (without asking or telling me me) and negotiated a off auction deal within my budget.

Not only are you paying for a stress free process, but your getting a years of experience that we just don't have.

Have to say I'm weeks without a car and have so much relief that I can stop looking now ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£

nophd08 · 18-03-2021 10:03pm

deegs wrote: »

Just saying thanks for all the info in this thread.
Been considering jdm for almost a decade and brought 3 petrol cars in from the UK in the same time.

Looking to bring in a large top spec hse discovery and the nox rates were mental. Finally pulled the trigger and found a Fab v8 version in absolutely ridiculous condition in Japan and teeny mileage. Literally only 2 or 3 available worldwide and this had the best mileage.

As others have said having an agent is very important. Found the car and bid last week. Was outbid but reserve not met and car didn't sell.

Same car went up last night, this time I upped my bid and won it but reserve was still not met and car did not sell.

Then the agent went (without asking or telling me me) and negotiated a off auction deal within my budget.

Not only are you paying for a stress free process, but your getting a years of experience that we just don't have.

Have to say I'm weeks without a car and have so much relief that I can stop looking now ðŸ€£ðŸ€£ðŸ€£

Well done on your new purchase. Same as you I've toyed with the dream of a jdm for years (skyline) and watched prices rise and rise. Then its the onslaught of vrt which seems to be impossible to find out the amount until you present the car. Do you mind if I ask which agent you used?

Muahahaha · 18-03-2021 10:23pm

Sounds great deegs. How long do you think youll have to wait before it gets here?

Midnight_EG · 19-03-2021 7:32am

Muahahaha wrote: »

Sounds great deegs. How long do you think youll have to wait before it gets here?

My Skyline only took 8 weeks this year

deegs · 19-03-2021 2:29pm

nophd08 wrote: »

Well done on your new purchase. Same as you I've toyed with the dream of a jdm for years (skyline) and watched prices rise and rise. Then its the onslaught of vrt which seems to be impossible to find out the amount until you present the car. Do you mind if I ask which agent you used?

Patrick at JDMauctuons. Been bugging him for years for a Toyota SUV and like you seen the prices rise and rise.

Got a 2005 discovery 3 HSE 4.4l v8 with 50k km on the clock. These jag v8 engines are bulletproof very rare and I targeted a 2005-2008. The US folk have run them to well over 500k km and even 1 fella ran one to over 1 million km a few weeks back.

Vrt looks like 1300 or there abouts (almost 6k on diesel), tax is fine as it will be crewcabed. Tbh given the condition and mileage available in Japan the cost of vrt in the whole process seems relatively negligible, in this scenario at least.

deegs · 19-03-2021 2:30pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

Sounds great deegs. How long do you think youll have to wait before it gets here?

6-8 weeks I believe, but no huge rush / need with work from home ðŸ˜

User1998 · 19-03-2021 3:32pm

Do you have proof of co2 and nox?

deegs · 19-03-2021 6:08pm

User1998 wrote: »

Do you have proof of co2 and nox?

It's a 2005 so not necessary, but the broker will make sure it's there if needed. Actually just talking to him today he is going to get and translate the service records for me so he is fairly on the ball for what docs are needed.

User1998 · 19-03-2021 8:56pm

deegs wrote: »

It's a 2005 so not necessary, but the broker will make sure it's there if needed. Actually just talking to him today he is going to get and translate the service records for me so he is fairly on the ball for what docs are needed.

Why isn’t it necessary? You’ll be paying 37% VRT and maximum Nox charge, or do you reckon you’d be paying that anyway? I’d say the Nox would be low enough on it so it might be worth looking into

the_pope2 · 23-03-2021 11:05am

Hi all

New to this and have been thinking about importing a car from Japan by going there (once travel restriction has been lifted...if ever) instead of doing it online and have some things to ask

1 - Who issues you the bill of lading?
2 - How do you deregister the car in Japan and who issues you the deregistration cert?
3 - Once you back in Ireland should you go to a custom broker straight away and show them car receipt, bill of lading and deregistration cert and let them do the rest?

Midnight_EG · 23-03-2021 11:09am

the_pope2 wrote: »

Hi all

New to this and have been thinking about importing a car from Japan by going there (once travel restriction has been lifted...if ever) instead of doing it online and have some things to ask

1 - Who issues you the bill of lading?
2 - How do you deregister the car in Japan and who issues you the deregistration cert?
3 - Once you back in Ireland should you go to a custom broker straight away and show them car receipt, bill of lading and deregistration cert and let them do the rest?

The shipping company
The government
No, wait until the car is 3 weeks away

the_pope2 · 23-03-2021 10:42pm

Midnight_EG wrote: »

The shipping company
The government
No, wait until the car is 3 weeks away

Thanks for that but for deregistration the car, do you know the process for this? Like how or where to do this?

Midnight_EG · 24-03-2021 12:40am

the_pope2 wrote: »

Thanks for that but for deregistration the car, do you know the process for this? Like how or where to do this?

I haven't personally been to Japan, but I have imported a car recently and the dealer did it for me

Redsoxfan · 26-03-2021 4:59pm

Going to look at a couple of Japanese imports on Irish plates in coming weeks. Mixture of specialist dealers, independent dealers and private sale.

Aside from the usual things to look out for when buying any used car, is there anything I need to look at or ask for specifically because its a Japanese import?

This will be the likes of smaller Toyota, Nissan and Honda automatic cars for my mother.

wotzgoingon · 26-03-2021 5:10pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Going to look at a couple of Japanese imports on Irish plates in coming weeks. Mixture of specialist dealers, independent dealers and private sale.

I was like I didn't think any where still done that.

This will be the likes of smaller Toyota, Nissan and Honda automatic cars for my mother.

Then I read this part and was like makes sense. I thought you were looking for a 90's Jap performance car.

vjmcdonnell · 04-04-2021 7:43pm

Am thinking of a Hilux Surf (3.0 diesel) early 90's as I need a jeep that can tow a car trailer. With it been over 30 years will I just have the 200 charge as it's a classic. And what other charges will I be hit with when it lands in Ireland. Not sure how the over 30 effects the cash the Revenue Rob from me....

Midnight_EG · 04-04-2021 8:23pm

vjmcdonnell wrote: »

Am thinking of a Hilux Surf (3.0 diesel) early 90's as I need a jeep that can tow a car trailer. With it been over 30 years will I just have the 200 charge as it's a classic. And what other charges will I be hit with when it lands in Ireland. Not sure how the over 30 effects the cash the Revenue Rob from me....

You'll still have 37% customs and VAT due, but 200 VRT yes plus Nox

vjmcdonnell · 04-04-2021 9:24pm

Though customs charge was 10% of the cost of car + shipping + auction fees. Basically 10% on cost of getting it to Ireland. And then 21% charged on that new total.

Have brought in a few cars over the decades from the UK but this will be my first directly from Japan. See zero point in buying from UK anymore as better cars in Japan, if modeleid available there

Midnight_EG · 04-04-2021 9:37pm

10% plus 23% plus your agents fee so ends up roughly 37%

vjmcdonnell · 04-04-2021 9:40pm

Midnight_EG wrote: »

10% plus 23% plus your agents fee so ends up roughly 37%

Thanks, I have an Excel to calculate it out and was starting to freak thinking the Import was 37% and the 21% on top of that. Just wanted to make sure. Now just a few things to sort then I can get a jeep.

kanuseeme · 04-04-2021 10:38pm

Is the duty not somewhere around 7.5% ? There has been a trade deal between the EU and Japan for 3 years now and duty on cars should drop by around .8 % every year.

Midnight_EG · 04-04-2021 11:03pm

kanuseeme wrote: »

Is the duty not somewhere around 7.5% ? There has been a trade deal between the EU and Japan for 3 years now and duty on cars should drop by around .8 % every year.

Was 7.5% from the UK, think its around 8.3% now from Japan but the rough price on customs is 37% of what its cost landed

dubliniift · 25-05-2021 8:48am

Getting a Japanese insight.

Auction sheet rating is 3.5.

I was expecting it to be 4. Is that bad?

Car has scratches in few places.

Midnight_EG · 25-05-2021 11:42am

dubliniift wrote: »

Getting a Japanese insight 2012 105KMs, Ex variant at 8500 e.

Auction sheet rating is 3.5.

I was expecting it to be 4. Is that bad?

Car has scratches in few places.

Different auction houses have different ratings... A 4 in one house can be a 3 in another.

25-05-2021 1:24pm

As above, all relative to the auction house, what's a 3.5 in one can be a 4 in others, is there's visible scratches that wouldn't polish out though its likely 3.5, but don't get too hung up on the grade if the car is clean overall

dubliniift · 25-05-2021 3:07pm

5500 wrote: »

As above, all relative to the auction house, what's a 3.5 in one can be a 4 in others, is there's visible scratches that wouldn't polish out though its likely 3.5, but don't get too hung up on the grade if the car is clean overall

Visible marks are there, I m ignoring but 3.5 is lowest I have ever seen. This is for a friend. Any dealers you can suggest.

25-05-2021 4:40pm

Normally if the car is very rough it'll be a 3 or R (although small tips can still be had on a 3.5 and ive seen very clean grade R too) just don't take the sheet as gospel.

I'm assuming your looking at cars here? if so just go and view them and judge in person. The auction sheets are removed from the cars long before they leave japan, so you'd normally just print a copy yourself from the online listing. The downside of this is the sheet is open to interpretation ie photoshop, (or MS paint as ive seen before!) so it goes back to judging the car as you see it in the flesh

dubliniift · 25-05-2021 5:00pm

5500 wrote: »

Normally if the car is very rough it'll be a 3 or R (although small tips can still be had on a 3.5 and ive seen very clean grade R too) just don't take the sheet as gospel.

I'm assuming your looking at cars here? if so just go and view them and judge in person. The auction sheets are removed from the cars long before they leave japan, so you'd normally just print a copy yourself from the online listing. The downside of this is the sheet is open to interpretation ie photoshop, (or MS paint as ive seen before!) so it goes back to judging the car as you see it in the flesh

I liked the car. Had few scratches ( few long lines and yet a2). Drives just fine. I had 1Km test drive. That's the best I can say.

dubliniift · 30-05-2021 4:10pm

https://recallsearch4.honda.co.jp/sqs/r001/R00101.do?pn=R00101&wn=2&syadai_no1=&syadai_no2=&fn=English

Use the link to find if your INsight was impacted and corrective action taken.

Does anyone have a link to find 2012 Insight OIL LEAK ISSUE?

Midnight_EG · 30-05-2021 5:27pm

Mate... Start your own thread on these Insights you're trying to buy instead of cluttering the Import Process thread

Comment_below · 16-06-2021 9:18pm

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if I missed the following query in this post.

Is a Customs broker compulsory at Dublin port?
Can one just communicate with Revenue themselves?

Midnight_EG · 16-06-2021 9:19pm

Comment_below wrote: »

Hi all,

Apologies in advance if I missed the following query in this post.

Is a Customs broker compulsory at Dublin port?
Can one just communicate with Revenue themselves?

They won't communicate with a private individual. You need a customs agent regardless, as they're the people that clearing from the port for collection.

Comment_below · 16-06-2021 9:24pm

Midnight_EG wrote: »

They won't communicate with a private individual. You need a customs agent regardless, as they're the people that clearing from the port for collection.

Ah okay, seems bit of a con, when one can communicate with Revenue with the same detail and profiency as a customs broker.

Then again, does the Customs Broker keep you updated on when the car/ship has arrived and duly has it offloaded and stored? Am I right in thinking that storage is free for the 1st 7 days?

The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

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