Japan to UK Import process

Setting a Budget

This is not as simple as it sounds as there are some key variables in exchange rates for Japan costs billed in JPY and shipping/container costs billed in USD and exchange rate fees.

There are also Import Duty rates that need to be taken into account that change dependent on where the vehicle was manufactered, it's age when it landed at UK Port.

Here is a rough idea for a 15 year old Kei Truck;

  • 57% - Japan Costs in JPY, comprising Vehicle Auction Price and Fees for Auction Admin, Transportation to Port and De-registration and pre-shipping processing. For container shipping this will likely include storage and vanning
  • 35% - Shipping, Costs in USD, For Ro-Ro, based on vehicle CM3 Volume, for Container based on proportion of container, plus Japan storage and vanning. Import Costs in GBP for Import Duty, VAT and Port and Processing Costs
  • 8% - UK Preparation and Registration costs, includes Fog light, MOT, Registration and one month's VED
  • The above does not include the cost of collection from UK Port of arrival and transportation to vehicle's destination

    • Example

    Based on our most recent import with shipping rates and exchange rates based on 2024/2025 period

    £ 7,000 Budget

  • a) Japan Costs - £3,990
  • b) Shipping/Import Costs - £2,450
  • c) UK Preparation Costs, - £560

    • This will leave you with a budget of £3,990 of Japan Costs to play with at say a 190 JPY-GBP exchange rate this equates to around 758,000 JPY

    Japan based costs will likely be fixed at around 100,000 JPY per vehicle, this leaves a maximum bid price of 658,000 JPY

    You have probably worked is out already 658,000JPY at EX190 is around £3,500 or approximatly 50% of our overall budget!

    And yes, vehicles are that much cheaper in a Japan Auction than compared to the UK!

    TIMELINE - how long it takes

    The timeline is important as the overall process can take some time and will require payments throughout the process and a significant portion before you actually see and drive the vehicle.

  • Day Zero - Engage with Agent - Payment of Deposit e.g. 100,000JPY
  • Day 30 - Purchased Vehicle at Port - payment of balance of Japan Costs e.g. 658,000JPY
  • Day 90 - Vehicle arrives at UK Port - payment of Shipping and Import Costs e.g. £2,450
  • Day 95 - Vehicle clears customs and ready to collect - payment of transport costs
  • Day 100 - Vehicle MOT'd and V55/5 completed and sent - payment of UK Preparation Costs e.g. £560
  • Day 121 - Receipt of VIN New Letter from DVLA
  • Day 126 - Receipt of V5, vehicle on road

    • 4 Months - Start to Finish

    This I beleve is an average timeline, 126 days or 4 months from the time you start looking for a car with and an agent to the day you receive the V5. You might manage a quicker timeline if it doesn't take 30 days to find the right one, or, it may take longer!

    By now you will have done your research and know that vehicles sold at auction in Japan tend to be of a much higher standard than those sold in a UK auction. However when buying a Kei Truck, please recognise that as cute as it may be, it is a commercial vehicle in Japan and likely to have had a harder life than you can imagine, Also if it is a 4x4 Kei Truck, four wheel drive was specified for a reason, which likely involved spending a lot of it's life in and out of paddy fields. Used Kei Trucks have excellent resale value in Japan so don't be surprised if the auction prices seem to be on the high side compared to a saloon.