Japan is still the most interesting sourcing market in the world. The auction system moves 25,000+ cars a week, grading is standardised, and the JDM catalogue includes cars you literally cannot buy anywhere else. Here's what a first-time importer needs to know.
The auction system
Almost every used car in Japan passes through auctions run by USS, TAA, HAA, or JU. Each auction house grades cars on a 1-6 (or R, RA) scale, plus interior letter grade A, D. Grade 4 or 4.5 with interior B is the sweet spot for enthusiast cars. No accident history, minor cosmetic wear.
Grade 5 and above are essentially like-new. Grade R = repaired, RA = repaired but professionally.
Bidding happens in real time. As an importer, you set a max bid and your Japanese agent bids on your behalf. Most auctions run 5+ times per week, so if you miss one car, the next one is 48 hours away.
What cars are worth importing?
- Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33, R34). R34 GT-R V-Spec II is now €150k+ landed
- Toyota Supra Mk4. Turbo manuals command a premium
- Honda NSX Type R, Integra Type R. Appreciating fast
- Mazda RX-7 FD. Condition-dependent, budget for engine work
- Kei cars. Suzuki Cappuccino, Honda Beat, Autozam AZ-1. Cheap, fun, easy to homologate
- Modern JDM. Toyota Century, Nissan GT-R Nismo, Lexus LFA (if you find one)
Real cost breakdown
Example: R34 GT-R V-Spec, grade 4, hammer price ¥18,000,000 (~€110,000):
- Auction fees + Japanese domestic transport: €2,500
- Deregistration + export certificate: €400
- Shipping RoRo Japan → Rotterdam: €1,800
- Marine insurance: €650
- Sourcing agent fee: €4,500
- EU import duty (10%): €12,000
- VAT (varies by country, 19-27%): €25,300 (assuming 19%)
- Homologation (individual approval): €800-1,500
- Registration: €120
- Total landed cost: ~€158,000
Time expectations
- Auction win to shipment: 3-5 weeks (deregistration, transport to port)
- Shipping Japan → Europe: 35-50 days
- Customs clearance: 3-10 days
- Homologation: 2-8 weeks depending on country
- Total: 3-4 months from auction win to plates
The 25-year rule (US buyers only. Irrelevant in EU)
Common confusion: the US requires cars to be 25+ years old to import. The EU has no equivalent rule. You can import any age car into Europe as long as it meets safety and emissions standards for individual approval.
Mistakes first-timers make
- Bidding on grade 3 cars to save money. Grade 3 = significant issues. Not worth it.
- Not budgeting for VAT. It's the single biggest line item.
- Choosing an unproven Japanese agent. Verify auction access, references, and track record.
- Buying without an in-person inspection where possible. Auction sheets are usually honest but not always complete.
- Assuming the car will pass homologation. Some modifications (roll cages, aftermarket seats) block registration in strict EU countries.
How we handle it
We have live auction access in Japan and full sourcing/export operations in Osaka and Yokohama. Send us the car and grade you want, we send back live bids as they happen, and the car lands in your driveway 3-4 months later. Start your brief.
Ready to source your next car?
We handle sourcing, inspection, export, and door-to-door delivery. Turnkey. One brief, one advisor, one bill.
Start Your Brief