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Deposit to bid Japan auctions All-in budget first

Pay the 20% deposit — we'll bid for you

You confirm an all-in budget first (shipping + EU duties/taxes included). The deposit simply activates bidding on your chosen LOT and locks your safe bidding limit. If we don't win, the deposit is refunded or kept for the next LOT — your choice.

Important: "Starting price" is only the opening bid — it is not the final import cost. Final cost depends on the winning bid + auction fees + inland transport + shipping + EU port costs.
Back to auctions → 📌 Example breakdown ✅ Before you pay

Read this in 30 seconds

Must know
  • Starting price is not the final cost — it's only where bidding starts. Auction fees add ~15% to the hammer price.
  • Deposit is 20% of your confirmed all-in budget and is required before we bid.
  • After a win, the purchase is binding — no cancellation is possible under auction rules.
  • Deposit methods: Revolut or bank transfer. Post-win settlement: bank transfer in USD only.
  • Shipping: container transit to Europe is typically ~50 days from loading.
  • Refunds are the exact amount we received (payment processor fees, if any, are deducted).

1) Payments — timeline

Clear

You pay in 3 clear phases so everything stays transparent.

Phase 1

20% deposit before bidding.

Phase 2

Vehicle + Japan fees + shipping after win.

Phase 3

EU duties/taxes + port fees on arrival.

Final

Pickup at port or door delivery.

Each phase has a clear invoice — no hidden costs, no surprises.

Get Started

Fast

Send your LOT link + your all-in budget. We'll confirm a safe bid limit and issue your deposit invoice.

WhatsApp → Request Invoice
You'll receive a clear all-in estimate and a confirmed bidding limit before we place any bids.

After a win: settlement is handled by bank transfer in USD (standard for international export/shipping).

2) Deposit — what it does

Pre-bid

The deposit confirms intent and allows us to bid legally on your behalf with a locked budget limit.

  • If no win: full refund or apply to the next LOT — your choice.
  • If win: the purchase is binding (auction rules apply).
  • Deposit methods: Revolut / direct bank transfer.
  • Deposit is part of your total budget — it's not an extra hidden fee.
Refund policy: We refund the exact amount received. Bank transfers usually have minimal fees. Card/Revolut payments may include 1–2% processor fees which are non-refundable.

After we win — deadlines

Time-sensitive

Once the auction confirms the sale:

  • You'll receive the post-win invoice (vehicle + Japan costs + shipping).
  • In most cases you have 2–3 business days to settle the remaining amount (auction deadline).
  • If payment is delayed, auctions may apply penalties and restrict future bidding.
  • We'll guide you through each step — just respond promptly to our messages.
No cancellation: After the hammer falls, the purchase is legally binding under Japanese auction rules.

Before you pay the deposit — checklist

Checklist

To calculate real costs and set a safe bidding limit, we need the following from you:

LOT link

The auction listing URL + basic vehicle details.

All-in budget

Your maximum total import cost (we work backwards from this).

Destination port

Bremerhaven / Rotterdam / Gothenburg / or "TBD".

Pickup or delivery?

Will you collect at port or want door delivery?

Special conditions

Non-running / oversized vehicles affect logistics & cost.

Your approval

We only bid after you approve the estimate and max bid limit.

3) Financial breakdown (example)

Example

Example only. Your numbers depend on the vehicle, auction house, location in Japan, and destination port.

Milestone
EUR
USD
Total all-in project budget
€ 24,000
$ 28,200
Phase 1: Deposit PRE-BID
€ 4,800
$ 5,640
Phase 2: Vehicle + Japan fees + shipping POST-WIN
€ 16,500
$ 19,360
Phase 3: EU duties/taxes + customs ARRIVAL
€ 2,700
$ 3,200
Deposit is calculated from the confirmed all-in budget (not from the "starting price"). All fees are factored in upfront.

Starting price vs real cost

Avoid surprises

The final cost is built from multiple layers: winning bid + auction fees + inland transport in Japan + export handling + ocean freight + EU port fees + duties & VAT.

Auction fees (~15%): Japanese auctions charge commission, recycling fee (リサイクル料), outstanding road taxes, documentation, and yard storage — typically totaling ~15% of the hammer price.
Reserve price: Some auctions have a hidden reserve. If not met, the auction may propose a post-auction price — you can accept or walk away.

Japan logistics & currency

Details

Inland transport in Japan depends on where the vehicle is located:

  • Typical range: ¥5,000 – ¥150,000 (varies by auction location and distance to port)
  • Higher if far from port, oversized, or non-running (special loading).
  • Premium vehicles may require extra protection — cost varies.
Why USD? USD is standard for international export and shipping — it reduces currency conversions and bank spreads. EU-side costs (customs, duties, VAT) are typically settled in EUR at arrival.

What you receive after purchase

Updates

We keep you informed at every stage of the process:

Port photos

Photos at the Japanese export port before loading.

Loading photos

Container loading documentation for your records.

Container tracking

Container number + vessel details for live tracking.

Arrival guidance

EU port instructions, customs steps & timing.

1

Send LOT

We verify the listing, check condition, and confirm details.

2

Confirm budget

You approve the all-in estimate and maximum bid limit.

3

Pay deposit

20% deposit authorizes us to bid on your behalf.

4

Outcome

Win → settlement invoice / No win → refund or next LOT.

Arrival in Europe

Port

After the container arrives at your chosen EU port, you pay the final EU-side costs according to the earlier estimate: port handling, customs clearance, duties and VAT.

  • Customs clearance typically takes 2–5 business days.
  • We coordinate with the customs agent on your behalf.
  • Once cleared, the vehicle is ready for pickup.
  • Or we can arrange safe door delivery anywhere in Europe.
Final handover: You receive all documents (export certificate, customs clearance, Bill of Lading) for registration.

FAQ

Help
Is the deposit refundable?

Yes — if the LOT is not won, we refund the deposit or apply it to your next bid. Refunds are the exact amount we received after any payment processor fees (direct bank transfers have minimal fees; card/Revolut may have 1–2% fees).

Can I cancel after we win?

No. After the auction confirms the sale, the purchase is legally binding under Japanese auction rules and cannot be cancelled.

Why is settlement in USD only?

USD is standard for international export/shipping — it reduces currency conversions and banking spreads. EU port costs are invoiced in EUR.

How long does shipping take?

Typical container transit to Europe is ~50 days from loading, but it can vary with vessel schedules and port congestion.

What if the reserve price is not met?

Some auctions have a hidden reserve. If it isn't met, the auction may propose a post-auction price — you can accept or decline with no obligation.