Can anyone advise me on importing a car from Japan?
Discussion
I've seen a car I want to get hold of, but I'm not sure how on earth you go about importing, or how much it'd realistically cost. Can anyone help?
Looking at something like this:
http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/n...
Looking at something like this:
http://www.tradecarview.com/used_car/japan%20car/n...
Cant say I share your taste in cars LOL
I am importing through Mashamoto in Newcastle but been waiting a few months now and still not here. I used them in 2008 no problems, so dont know whats going on now.
There are a lot of taxes to pay and the exchange rate is poor. That car in the advert is actually expensive when you think the actual cost in Japan of the Subaru Legacy B4 RSK I just bought was about £1200 (£3300 back OTR in the UK)
I am importing through Mashamoto in Newcastle but been waiting a few months now and still not here. I used them in 2008 no problems, so dont know whats going on now.
There are a lot of taxes to pay and the exchange rate is poor. That car in the advert is actually expensive when you think the actual cost in Japan of the Subaru Legacy B4 RSK I just bought was about £1200 (£3300 back OTR in the UK)
WOW a Be-1, they're fab little things they are! Based on a K10 Micra, so easy to replace parts on. 
I hear Newera Imports are good for this type of thing, and get in contact with the South West Lotus centre in Devon, depending on your location - I got my uber rare Cabriolet from them which they had imported into the country in 2003.
I'm afraid I cant offer advice on costs however, I say £3000 sounds about right!
I hear Newera Imports are good for this type of thing, and get in contact with the South West Lotus centre in Devon, depending on your location - I got my uber rare Cabriolet from them which they had imported into the country in 2003.
I'm afraid I cant offer advice on costs however, I say £3000 sounds about right!
Edited by CatfishCKY on Tuesday 30th November 20:51
I haven't imported anything for a while and haven't kept up to date with the impact the IVA has had on the process so the details may have changed but speaking personally...
...I wouldn't bother with the likes of TCV - it's largely dealer stock that's already been through auction and been marked up accordingly. You'd stand a better chance of minimising costs by buying from the auctions.
I certainly wouldn't bother using the services of a UK importer either. Why pay a middle man to do some paperwork and a spot of DIY?
Having said that, importing from Japan makes very little sense in the current climate. It used to be worth it, but as you can see from the costs below, it can easily become pointless if you don't pay the right price for the car and finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
The price you pay for the car in Japan bears no relation to the amount you'll have shelled out by the time it's registered in this country. On an older car like you have in mind, there's the purchase price, then you've got handling, shipping, marine insurance, import duty (10%), VAT (17.5% on the price of the car + the import duty), customs charge, delivery from the port, parts (foglight, etc), MOT, registration fee, plates, road tax, etc. No big deal when you could get 240 yen to the pound but it's a different story now.
However, if you want a car that simply isn't available here, you may find importing is the only way to get one. I don't recall seeing many Be-1's in the UK but you might be interested in the Pao (similar concept) which is more plentiful here - there's one on Autotrader for £3750.
That Be-1 works out at over £3000 just to buy in Japan - you've then got to add all the above costs, not to mention waiting weeks for the car to arrive here.
...I wouldn't bother with the likes of TCV - it's largely dealer stock that's already been through auction and been marked up accordingly. You'd stand a better chance of minimising costs by buying from the auctions.
I certainly wouldn't bother using the services of a UK importer either. Why pay a middle man to do some paperwork and a spot of DIY?
Having said that, importing from Japan makes very little sense in the current climate. It used to be worth it, but as you can see from the costs below, it can easily become pointless if you don't pay the right price for the car and finding a bargain with the current exchange rates is very difficult.
The price you pay for the car in Japan bears no relation to the amount you'll have shelled out by the time it's registered in this country. On an older car like you have in mind, there's the purchase price, then you've got handling, shipping, marine insurance, import duty (10%), VAT (17.5% on the price of the car + the import duty), customs charge, delivery from the port, parts (foglight, etc), MOT, registration fee, plates, road tax, etc. No big deal when you could get 240 yen to the pound but it's a different story now.
However, if you want a car that simply isn't available here, you may find importing is the only way to get one. I don't recall seeing many Be-1's in the UK but you might be interested in the Pao (similar concept) which is more plentiful here - there's one on Autotrader for £3750.
That Be-1 works out at over £3000 just to buy in Japan - you've then got to add all the above costs, not to mention waiting weeks for the car to arrive here.
Edited by Risotto on Wednesday 1st December 10:16
To add to what Risotto said - VAT will be 20% in January and this is added on to all the charges and is not just calculated on the purchase price so you pay Import Duty and then VAT is calculated on the purchase price + Import Duty (plus everything else) so it is effectively a tax on a tax.
Devilstreak said:
Pulse you tart. You seriously thinking about that? You need to step away from Gran Turismo.£2500-3000 is a ball park figure as above really.
Thank you everyone for the advice!
Pulse said:
Devilstreak said:
Pulse you tart. You seriously thinking about that? You need to step away from Gran Turismo.£2500-3000 is a ball park figure as above really.
Thank you everyone for the advice!
Will you tune this one to the max as well?
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