Importing an engine from Japan - tips and experiences?
Discussion
Hi all - I need to import an engine from Japan (to the UK), and I am struggling to find an 'agent' that doesnt just do cars.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an agent that would take a pallet and get it over to the UK for a decent fee and are reasonable to deal with?
I am not too fussed on timing, but just need someone who does this every wheek to slot it into their next container load to the UK...
All suggestion well received - thanks.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an agent that would take a pallet and get it over to the UK for a decent fee and are reasonable to deal with?
I am not too fussed on timing, but just need someone who does this every wheek to slot it into their next container load to the UK...
All suggestion well received - thanks.
I do yes.
He used to live in UAE but has moved back to UK recently. Very nice guy, easy to deal with and quick to respond. recommended to me by a friend. I ve never met him but he has shipped engines and parts for our friend group, door to door from and to anywhere in the world.
Last time I used him I was getting sea freight quotes of circa £500 to bring a Ducati engine to me from UK. He airfreighted it D2D within 5 days, including all charges for under £300.
I m travelling tomorrow so give me a couple of days to respond to any pm.
ETA another alternative is Anthony Hardie, t/a yahoo auction direct, based in Japan. you can search that to find him on fb. I haven’t used him personally but a mate in uk does with some regularity and is very pleased with the service.
He used to live in UAE but has moved back to UK recently. Very nice guy, easy to deal with and quick to respond. recommended to me by a friend. I ve never met him but he has shipped engines and parts for our friend group, door to door from and to anywhere in the world.
Last time I used him I was getting sea freight quotes of circa £500 to bring a Ducati engine to me from UK. He airfreighted it D2D within 5 days, including all charges for under £300.
I m travelling tomorrow so give me a couple of days to respond to any pm.
ETA another alternative is Anthony Hardie, t/a yahoo auction direct, based in Japan. you can search that to find him on fb. I haven’t used him personally but a mate in uk does with some regularity and is very pleased with the service.
Edited by shirt on Sunday 9th November 19:35
IMPORTING A CAR from JAPAN - posting this here because there's no obvious dedicated spot AND I hope this helps someone.
November 2025 (after my importer misled me, I went on a wild goose chase for insurance and MOT stations messed me about)
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are b
ds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one.
I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
November 2025 (after my importer misled me, I went on a wild goose chase for insurance and MOT stations messed me about)
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are b
ds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one. I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
robi4387 said:
IMPORTING A CAR from JAPAN - posting this here because there's no obvious dedicated spot AND I hope this helps someone.
November 2025 (after my importer misled me, I went on a wild goose chase for insurance and MOT stations messed me about)
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are bds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one.
I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
I used Halfords to carry out the first MOT on the last car I imported that was over 10 years old. Zero issues...perhaps worth a go.November 2025 (after my importer misled me, I went on a wild goose chase for insurance and MOT stations messed me about)
0 First phone around for an MOT station that will MOT an imported car without UK registration (it's in more work for them and most can't be arsed.)
1 Haulage to a brand specialist garage to make foreign things UK legal e.g. lights.
2 Garage drive car to MOT station. STRAIGHT THERE (via whatever route needed on Shell V-Power to heat/clean engine/clean DPF/get through emissions)
3 You show MOT station the export certificate, they check the car's VIN matches the certificate and they make a new entry in the system - If they need help they should call 0300 123 9000 and DVSA will talk them through it.
4 You take the paper MOT, your garage takes your car and you pay them to service it in return for them keeping it off the road until licensed.
5 You re-read V355/5 and fill out V55/5, attach the export certificate and its translation, the paper MOT (because DVLA can't be arsed to push buttons either), a cheque for the registration fee AND a separate cheque for the tax (6/12 months up to you). You choose on the V55/5 when you want the tax to start (I will say the 2nd of next month - see 6 below)
6 You cross your fingers DVLA are not grumpy and issue you with a V5 in time for you to get your insurance in place and showing on their system before the tax comes into effect.
Only on the 3rd of the month, and after their system shows the car is taxed, is it safe for you to drive or leave it on the public road because on the 2nd a clamper will get authorisation to do you and you won't get off.
In my limited experience of doing this once, insurers are b
ds, importers wash their hands of you out of the docks, MOT men are not button pushers, DVSA couldn't give a flying, and DVLA assume you are trying to pull a fast one. I am writing because I am still trying to get past 2 because no MOT station can be arsed to push more buttons.
One said he's not doing it because I should take it to VOSA station for an IVA - I looked at the DVSA website and it says cars over 10 years old are exempt - these MOT stations simply don't know and don't want to admit it/make effort.
DVSA say it is simple. I just assumed these people can do their jobs - silly me.
And in case you didn't know every insurance company keeps every quote EVERY QUOTE you ever start to fill out even if they pretend they delete them.
Spinakerr said:
Hi all - I need to import an engine from Japan (to the UK), and I am struggling to find an 'agent' that doesnt just do cars.
Does anyone have any recommendations for an agent that would take a pallet and get it over to the UK for a decent fee and are reasonable to deal with?
I am not too fussed on timing, but just need someone who does this every wheek to slot it into their next container load to the UK...
All suggestion well received - thanks.
You need to find a decent independent shipping agent or freight forwarder which can deal with a Japanese shipping agent. Many of them do,ask the vendor in Japan to suggest one, then approach a UK based freight forwarder to act on your behalf giving them the details.Does anyone have any recommendations for an agent that would take a pallet and get it over to the UK for a decent fee and are reasonable to deal with?
I am not too fussed on timing, but just need someone who does this every wheek to slot it into their next container load to the UK...
All suggestion well received - thanks.
They will present some options , but just go for the door to door one if you want it to be hassle free, or collection from the depot if it's nearby. Don't opt for FOB or port collection because it's a right royal pain in the arse. Let them do it to stop the stress, plus the consignment remains insured until you sign for it.
They will arrange for packing, collection, duties and delivery to a port in the UK by sea, but you won't need to hire the entire container, just the "volumetric weight" (Meters cubed) your package takes up, it's called "consolidated groupage" - so basically a freight company / forwarder in Japan gets numerous consignments from all over, and charges the customer for the volume their consignment takes up in a 20' or 40' container, and fills the container with different consignments , it then gets shipped to a freight forwarder in the UK who de-consolidate the container and arrange for delivery using their own couriers to the UK addresses.
Depending upon where you are in the UK, just call a few. It's been almost 30 years since I shipped anything from SE Asia so things have definitely changed. There are numerous around Felixstowe and Ipswich where I am, and also Southampton and Tilbury etc.
HTH.
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