Knowledge center
Guides for importing cars from Japan
Everything you need to buy at Japanese auctions with confidence — how the process works, what it costs, how to read a grade, and how to import into your country.
No guides match that search
Try a broader word — “grade”, “shipping”, “Kenya”, “Land Cruiser” — or ask us directly.
Ask our teamGetting started
New to Japanese auctions? Start here
Getting started
What is a Japan car auction?
How the world's biggest used-car market works, and why you bid through an agent.
Read guide
Getting started
How to buy a car from Japanese auctions
The complete beginner's walkthrough, from sign-up to delivery.
Read guide
Comparison
Auction agent vs dealer vs broker
Who's who in Japanese car exporting — and which is cheapest.
Read guide
Getting started
Registration & deposit explained
What you need to open an account and place your refundable deposit.
Coming soon
Getting started
Bidding strategy & tips
How to set a maximum, read demand and win without overpaying.
Coming soon
Costs & payment
Fees, landed cost and paying safely
Incoterms
FOB, CFR & CIF explained
The three shipping terms and who pays for what — with a yen example.
Read guide
Payment safety
Paying safely for your car
Our official bank details, and how to pay by transfer, Wise or PayPal.
Read guide
Costs
How our commission & fees work
The 3.5% commission, Export Package and what's included — in plain terms.
Read guide
Costs
Total landed cost explained
From hammer price to CIF — every line in your quote, step by step.
Read guide
Auctions & grading
Read the sheet, know the houses
Grading
Auction sheet & grading explained
The S–R scale, interior A–D and how to read a real auction sheet.
Read guide
Directory
Major auction houses guide
USS, TAA, JU, ARAI and 120+ venues — where the cars actually are.
Read guide
Schedule
Auction calendar & weekly rhythm
Which houses run which days, so you know when to bid.
Read guide
Grading
Reading damage & repair codes
A1, U2, W, X, XX — decoding the map on the auction sheet.
Read guide
Shipping & logistics
Getting the car to your port
Shipping
RoRo vs container + shipping schedule
Methods, departure ports, carriers and live sailing schedules.
Read guide
Shipping
Export documents explained
Export Certificate, English translation, B/L and invoice — what each is for.
Read guide
Shipping
Transit times by destination
Roughly how long shipping takes to each market we serve.
Read guide
Import by country
Rules, ports and costs for your market
15 markets
Import guides by country
Age rules, steering, inspection, ports and landed cost for each market: Kenya · Tanzania · UK · Ireland · Cyprus · Hong Kong · Singapore · Malaysia · Jamaica · Guyana · Norway · USA · Canada · Australia · New Zealand.
Browse all country guides
Regulations
Import regulations explained
Age limits, RHD vs LHD and inspection rules across regions.
Read guide
Models & buying guides
Know the car before you bid
Buying guide
Toyota Land Cruiser buyer's guide
Generations, engines and what to check on the sheet.
Read guide
Buying guide
Nissan Skyline GT-R generations
R32 to R34 — which is eligible for your market and why.
Read guide
Buying guide
Toyota Alphard & Vellfire guide
The luxury MPV grades, and which trims hold value.
Read guide
Explainer
Kei trucks & vans explained
Why the tiny 4×4s are so sought-after — and where they're legal.
Read guide
Model directory
Browse guides by make & model
A guide for every model that comes through the Japanese auctions — specs, generations, grades to look for and what it costs to import. Pick a make to explore its models.
ToyotaPopular models
SubaruPopular models
MitsubishiPopular models
SuzukiPopular models
DaihatsuPopular models
Toyota kei & vansPopular models
More makes
Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and other imports also come through the auctions.
View all makes Model lists are being expanded — full make/model coverage, specs and per-model guides are compiled from auction listing data.
Still have a question?
Our team answers within one business day, in English or 中文.