The BIG thread on how to import from Japan

As far as I can see, your picture is the car catalog, It gives information about the car its year, and price (Recommend retail).

Yen in thousands, so its 4.5 million or so, the thing I noticed is that 5-year-old cars are nearly the same price at auction, supply and demand, it might be better to spend a million or more and go up a few years.

Found this website, gives average prices so a bit more helpful.

https://auc.japancardirect.com/aj_neo

Does anyone know if VAT has to be paid from importing a car from Japan to Ireland, on top of VRT? Is customs duty a separate thing also?

The first post is from 10 years ago, is this still exactly the situation?

The idea of importing a used car from Japan looks increasingly less appealing.

Toyota Prius 2015 plus costs 16000euro in Ireland.

How about in Japan ? same year plus shipping + insurance + auction fee, shipping fee, duty fee, VAT fee, port handling fee,VRT,?

anyone had Imported Toyota Prius year 2009 to 2016 in the past? will battery be okay during export? do I have to change tyre when it arrive in Ireland?

I guess it is cheaper in Japan that's why many dealers are selling it in Ireland (Japanese imported cars)

how much would you save if you buy from Japan auction house?

Any Japan auction house you would recommend and shipping company?

if I have friend in Japan then can person bid on auction behalf of me?

Does bidding have to be made from inside auction house computer or I can bid anywhere around world?

Is there any company who looks after everything like bidding and shipping behalf of me? Name the cheapest company?

I do not really understand roll on roll off ferry thing? how does it work? Do I drive my car into ferry and park it there?is that roll on roll off thingy?

AUCNET Auctions

USS Auction

TAA Auction

ARAI Auction House

JAA Auction House

BAYAUC Auction House

CAA Auction House

ASNET Auction House

Honda Auto Auction House

which one will you recommend or used before?

I know it is a lot question, rather than asking one single questions, it is 13 page already but I am looking answers more recently like after covid purchase from Japan to Ireland year 2020 onwards,

things are changed a lot comparing to year 2013

anyone imported second hand car from Japan recently then please share it

like what auction house used and how much was 20ton container ,,,,,, so on

23% VAT. €200 VRT. No customs duty or nox

Yes and yes

For normal cars its 10% customs, 23% VAT, VRT and Nox depends on the car

I am interested in getting a 2007/2008 Honda Civic Type R FD2. If I saw one I liked in the UK, how does the VRT work? It would still be charged as if it was coming from the Japan (as that's where it was first registered), is that correct? I had a quick look at the VRT calculator and for a 2007 FD2 with 120,000km, the price is going back at just under €1850

Sorry if this offends anyone but I don’t find the first post of this thread really useful at all - not anymore anyway. It gives little to zero insight about how and where to look, and what to expect really in 2023. I see others have been shot down requesting such information but it’s desperately in need of an update, in my opinion. Some of the things gone into detail over aren’t even relevant to the vast majority of buyers.

Thanks to the recent posters (<12 months) who have given info on their own experience. That’s been more helpful than anything previous.

If I manage to do it I’ll happily provide an up to date log of everything I encounter, best sites, service, timelines, costs etc. I’m finding the Irish market exceptionally poor value for money/quality at the moment.

Thanks a million for that. I will check all that out this evening. Similar car, similar or slightly less of a budget, so should find it useful.

And yes possibly a little unfair criticism on the usefulness on the thread - I think it’s spilling over from the frustration of looking at several Irish cars over the last few weeks and being very disappointed. Bang for buck is shocking!

Just bought an Ignis hybrid

Top spec in co Dublin

Would loved to have gone down the import route,

but between lack of information and I'd a car to trade aswell I chose to buy.

Tried local ( cork ) to get a decent deal for near 2 months,no joy.

This is my 4 th Jap import and would seriously recommend them.

I was able to check my cars rating etc, got a decent trade on my 2012 Honda insight es.

6 months warranty and got a head unit installed and cars fully valeted and really like new.

Saved near e750 by going to Dublin.

Maybe if I'd enough cash to buy direct in Japan I'd do it,but I'm a worrier and the car u buy in Japan may not live up to your expectations when it rolls off the ferry.

I wish whoever buys direct the v best.

Few things to consider.

Make sure car comes with 2 keys,

Some don't.

Remember you'll have to get a head unit installed,and or language changed etc.