Japan Auction Import Guide

Choose a Vehicle

Start with a specific auction listing or tell us what type of car you want us to look for.

You can browse current Japanese auctions and send us the lot you are interested in. If you have not selected a specific car yet, provide the make, model, production year, mileage range, preferred specification, colour and destination country. We can then help you identify suitable vehicles appearing at upcoming Japanese auctions.

Auction listings are time-sensitive. The displayed starting price is only the opening point of the auction and should never be treated as the expected winning price or the final imported cost.

Set Your Limit

Approve a maximum auction bid or give us a complete purchase and import budget.

The first option is to specify the highest amount we may bid for the vehicle, normally in Japanese yen or US dollars. We will never intentionally exceed the limit you have approved.

The second option is to tell us your total budget, including the vehicle, Japanese auction and logistics costs, shipping and estimated import charges. We then work backwards to calculate a sensible maximum auction bid. Because freight rates, exchange rates and taxes can change, a total-budget calculation is always an estimate until the vehicle, route and booking are confirmed.

Pay the Deposit

A bidding deposit must be received before we can place an auction bid on your behalf.

A successful bid creates a binding purchase. The deposit protects the transaction and confirms that you are ready to pay for the vehicle if the auction is won. Without a confirmed deposit, we do not submit a bid.

The deposit is normally calculated as 10% of the approved maximum bid, with a minimum of USD 1,350. The exact amount and payment instructions are confirmed before bidding. Bank, currency-conversion and intermediary charges should be covered by the sender.

Verify the Vehicle

Before bidding, we review the information and visual documentation available for the selected vehicle.

Depending on the auction house and the individual lot, this may include the auction sheet, exterior photographs, 360-degree interior and exterior views, underbody imaging, wheel and tyre photographs, the chassis or VIN number and notes recorded by the auction inspector.

• Auction grade and inspector comments
• Visible repairs, damage and body-panel markings
• Interior, wheels, underbody and available identifiers
• Additional on-site inspection when required and available

The review reduces uncertainty but cannot guarantee that every mechanical or hidden defect will be visible before purchase.

We Place the Bid

Once the car, bidding limit and deposit are confirmed, we participate in the live auction.

Japanese vehicle auctions move quickly, and a lot may be sold within seconds. We bid only up to the maximum amount you have approved. The final result depends on competing bidders, the seller's reserve and the live auction conditions.

If bidding moves beyond your limit, we stop. If the car sells below the approved maximum, you pay the actual winning price — not the maximum limit.

Auction Result

After the auction, the process follows one of two clear paths.

Winning below your approved maximum does not change the price upwards. The invoice is based on the actual auction result and the previously agreed service and logistics charges.

Pay for the Vehicle

The remaining vehicle balance and the agreed Japanese costs must be paid within two days of winning.

This payment normally includes the actual auction purchase price, auction-related costs, our service fee, domestic collection or transport to the yard or port, preparation of export documentation and any other Japanese logistics confirmed for the transaction.

The bidding deposit is deducted from the amount due. If a client wins a vehicle and does not complete the required payment, the deposit is forfeited because the auction purchase cannot simply be cancelled. Once payment is confirmed, we can release the vehicle into the export and shipping process.

Book and Load the Container

The vehicle is collected, prepared for export and assigned to the shipping arrangement selected for its destination.

Depending on the route, vehicle dimensions, schedule and your preference, the shipment may use a dedicated 20-foot container, a complete 40-foot container, one of two positions in a shared 40-foot container or one of three positions where the loading configuration allows it.

When the booking is confirmed, you receive the available sailing schedule and the actual freight price. The vehicle is transported to the loading location, positioned inside the container and professionally secured. We provide photographic documentation from the loading process.

Pay Freight and Track the Shipment

Ocean freight is charged at the confirmed booking value, with the supporting transport invoice available for review.

After loading and shipping confirmation, you pay the agreed ocean-freight amount. The transport value is linked to the confirmed route and booking.

You receive the available shipping documentation and container details, including the Bill of Lading when issued. The container can then be followed during the sea voyage using the carrier's tracking system. Departure and arrival dates remain subject to vessel schedules, port operations and changes made by the shipping line.

Customs Clearance and Final Delivery

At the destination port, the vehicle is cleared for import and can then be collected or transported to your address.

For many European deliveries, Rotterdam and German ports are practical entry points because of shipping availability and onward transport connections. The best route is confirmed individually rather than assumed in advance.

The importer pays the customs-clearance service, customs duty, import VAT and any applicable port or handling charges. Duty and VAT are determined under the rules of the country of clearance and the customs value accepted by the authorities. After release, you may collect the vehicle from the agreed location or ask us to arrange insured onward transport to your home, company or selected workshop.