The import process
in 9 steps

After your initial consultation — by phone, video call or in person — we jointly define your budget, vehicle type and timeframe. Once you place the order, you deposit a security payment (typically €500–1,500) into our German escrow account, and we begin a targeted search across Japan's premium auctions (USS, TAA, JU) based on your profile.

The escrow account is legally separate from our business assets: your money is protected until the vehicle is physically handed over. As soon as suitable vehicles become available, we notify you immediately.

Our team in the Tokyo/Kumagaya region searches Japan's leading auction platforms (USS, TAA, JU) daily for premium and luxury vehicles that match your profile. For each candidate, we obtain a complete auction report (including body diagram, mileage certificate and damage history) and summarise it in German.

For vehicles graded 4 or better, you receive photo documentation and, on request, an on-site inspector's report from our local partner. You decide before we bid.

Japanese vehicle auctions are licensed, non-public trading events. As a licensed bidder, we take part with your pre-agreed maximum bid. You receive a real-time status update (opening bid, progress, successful or unsuccessful).

On a successful bid, we immediately send you the official auction record and vehicle report. Your deposit is offset against the purchase price. When the remaining amount falls due depends on your payment model: with prepayment it has already been settled before the purchase; with split payment you paid 50% when placing the order, and the remainder falls due when the vehicle arrives.

Once we've won the bid, we collect the vehicle from the auction yard. A vehicle inspection report before loading and Japanese export customs clearance ensure all documents are complete for export. We coordinate every step with our local partners on the ground.

As soon as export processing is complete, the vehicle is cleared for shipping.

The vehicle is shipped. We offer two methods:

• Ro/RoThe most cost-effective option (~€900); the vehicle is driven onto the ship. Standard for vehicles under €80,000 auction price.
• ContainerFull protection from weather and theft (~€1,600). Standard from €80,000 auction price and for rare configurations.

Sea transit from Yokohama to Hamburg takes approximately 5–6 weeks. You receive tracking updates once the ship departs and on arrival at the EU port.

After arrival at the EU port, we handle the complete import customs process: 10% import duty on the vehicle value plus freight costs (CIF value), and 19% import VAT. These costs are already fully itemised in your prior cost breakdown.

All customs documents are prepared and filed by us — you need not worry about a thing.

Next comes the technical preparation and the vehicle's individual approval by an officially recognised assessor (DEKRA, GTÜ or TÜV). We coordinate all necessary adjustments (e.g. headlights, speedometer, OBD diagnostics) and accompany the vehicle through to successful approval.

On request, we also coordinate a left-hand-drive conversion prior to approval.

We handle the official registration in your name — number-plate application, vehicle title (KFZ-Brief) and proof of insurance. The vehicle is fully registered on handover.

Once the vehicle is registered, it is delivered to you or you collect it in person. At handover, you receive, fully in German:

• Vehicle title (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II)
• Purchase contract
• Original auction documents from Japan
• Import customs and tax receipts
• TÜV individual approval certificate
• Complete vehicle history in German