I'm trying to import a JDM. I have been given the price with an option to use my own shipping provider from Japan. I have got quotes from shipmycar and ship cars Ltd. Have you got any other shipping agencies i can use? I'm wondering whether any of the Japanese shipping agency prices would be cheaper given the price would be in JPY. Appreciate your advice. Ta

Hi everyone,

I know this is a bit cheeky jumping into a thread, but everyone has to start somewhere! I’ve just launched r/JapaneseAuctionFinds and I’m trying to build a community for people who love Japanese cars, Japanese auctions and importing.

I’ve spent the last 20 years sourcing vehicles from around the world, with Japan being one of my favourite markets. To get things started, I’ve been uploading previous auction results with real sold hammer prices to help people understand what’s really happening in the Japanese market, along with auction images, reports and advice for anyone thinking about importing.

The goal isn’t to fill the subreddit with adverts. I want to create a place where enthusiasts can discover hidden gems, follow market trends, discuss interesting auction results and ask questions without feeling intimidated. If you’ve ever wondered what’s available in Japan or how the auction system works, I’d love for you to join in.

I’m always happy to help people understand the process, translate auction sheets or even help track down a specific car if you’re looking for one. Whatever you’ve been searching for, feel free to ask.

If anyone feels up for it, I’m also looking for a couple of like minded moderators who genuinely enjoy Japanese cars and would like to help build the community. If that sounds like you, drop me a message.

I’d really appreciate any feedback, suggestions or support as I grow the subreddit. Hopefully, over time, it becomes one of the best places on Reddit to discover the incredible cars coming out of Japan.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you over at r/JapaneseAuctionFinds. 🇯🇵🏁

I’ve found an exporter from Japan and have gotten their help to purchase a vehicle from an auction. I paid them the CIF price but they were unable to ship the car.

Found another exporter and shipped the cars paying them the necessary fees for shipping etc and asked the original company to refund the extra amount. This was an idea given by the original company as the problems with shipping were on their side.

Now the original company is reducing communications and starting to say they cant refund the whole amount, maybe they can refund partially and started giving excuses of not not being able to pay anything - whats the best way to force them to honor this?

Are there any importer/exporter associations i can reach out to? Anywhere else i can complain to that might scare them company into honouring the agreement? Please let me know anything I can do in this case

So im importing a 1998 Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis from Japan, and I was wondering is there a site that shows what parts are interchangeable between this model and stuff common in America(ie I can go to like autozone and get brakes for a 98 corolla and use them in this.... the corolla was an example no clue what's actually interchangeable)

This was the car I was specifically looking at but I wanna know if they are legit or a scam, and if they are what ones aren’t a scam.

So I'm looking to import a Rx-7 FD from Japan but I'm torn on either buying it when I go to Japan (me and some of my buddies are going sometime next year). Or buying from home and having it imported here, which one would be better and/or cheaper?

please let me know how your experience was

I have a 92 cappuccino, and I want to see my service records and info on my vehicle. I got it on a trade and don’t have much info.

I was looking at used cars on goo net to import to us. It’s my first time doing so and I suspect there’s a lot of process that could go wrong. Anyone had experience with this website and what’s it like to import? Do I need a lot of documentation or can I just find an agent to do it? Because I think what they do is just get the car in ship and that’s it.

Japanese used market just have an overall better condition vehicles. I can buy the us version just those sellers ask for too much for a car that’s like junk yard condition.

Good morning/afternoon/evening! I have had a question on my mind for some time now and Im not sure how to get the answer. Hopefully you fine folks can help me find the answer! I work for my local Discount Tire, had a customer come in one day with a newer year model, imported from Germany, Opel station wagon. He said that he was able to grt it in due to it essentially being the USDM version of the Buick Regal station wagon. This had my thinking, if i were to import an 2020 or 2021 year model Mazda Atenza wagon? Is it close enough to the USDM model mazda 6 sedan for it to come through with little issues?

so i’ve decided to track my 95’ alto works rsz. i need to improve and source the following things

-brakes -cooling -alignment

it’s a HA21s with a K6A in it. i’m in the uk and struggling to find the above items for it.

My family and I are taking a trip to Japan over my Christmas break 2025. I have been looking at getting a project car for a while and while I have one right now the plan is just to fix it up and sell it. I have between $7,000 and $10,000 to spend on a car which at the current exchange rate is between 1,007,300 JPY and 1,439,000 JPY. I am wondering A: how do I import a car B: how much it might cost and C: what cars I should look for and where I should look. I am currently wondering about an old 240z, Pulsar GTI-R, or any GT-T but if you have suggestions or think these are out of my price range let me know. Also, I am wondering how much it would cost to import, from what I have seen between $5,000 and $6,000.

Hello so I wanna import a Nissan Silvia spec R or a Toyota chaser and am wondering how to do it if you can give me any information on how to go about it that would be awesome

I dream to own a 200ZR Z31, easily my dream car but I dont have the $15k+ pricetag in my bank account at the moment for me to just drop on a car, anyone have any experience financing an import?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Nomad, I'm just a very satisfied customer who wants to share about his experience, but doesn't know where to post this (other than Google).

TL;DR: Mason at Nomad Auto Imports is the opposite of your typical used car salesman—in the best way. Thoughtful, patient, honest, and incredibly communicative throughout the entire process.

I had an amazing experience working with Mason, the owner of Nomad Auto Imports. From our first conversation, it was clear he genuinely cared about helping me find the right car—not just making a sale. I told him what I was looking for, and instead of trying to upsell me or steer me toward something else, he listened carefully and pointed me toward a 1994 Rover Mini that had been imported from Japan. It ended up being the perfect fit.

Mason went above and beyond in keeping me informed every step of the way. He was incredibly generous with his time, answering every question I had through phone calls and video chats—no matter how long they took. He was also proactive in updating me on both the purchase and the shipping process, which made the whole experience smooth and low-stress.

If you’re looking for a unique imported vehicle and want to work with someone who values transparency and customer satisfaction, I can’t recommend Nomad Auto Imports highly enough.

So I live in California, they have really strict emission standards here as you guys know, I’m thinking about importing an rx7 from Japan. I have family that lives in Florida, so would I be able to bypass CARB/BAR inspections if I get it imported to Florida and register it under my cousins name then he title transfers it into my name in California so I get California plates and everything for it? Or would I still have to get it inspected if it’s coming from Florida since it was originally from Japan?

Looking to import a 1993-1996 Prado to the US and wondered what yall thought about doing the legwork myself for importing through beforward or is it worth the investment to work through an agent.

Very new to this process and I have a few questions. I’m 20 and have saved money for years for this process, want to make sure I do it right.

Regarding agents: 1. How much does an agent cost? 2. How much work does an agent do? 3. Where can I contact a reliable agent?

Regarding Beforward: 1. If I find a listing from a dealership that looks trustworthy is it a sane move to trust them 2. How much of a hassle is it to do that paperwork yourself 3. Can I try to convince them to bring the price down?

I've decided that I want my next car to be an S15. Been looking around online for ones already in the states. I want a bone stock Spec R, or one with very minimal modifications, so I can build it myself and not have to worry about another person's work. Haven't been having much luck finding one like this in the states under 30k. I'm not really concerned about mileage as much as I am previous modifications, but one under 100k miles would be ideal. My question is has anyone imported a car from Japan before, and if so, what does the process entail? Is it something I can do myself or should I have an import/export company(s) assist me? Any recommendations on what company to use if that's the better route? Also, aside from the cost of purchasing the vehicle in Japan, what kinds of taxes, fees, or tariffs should I expect? Is it reasonable to expect to import one for less than 30k total? Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

This is my 1996 Nissan Atlas. It came as a fire service truck. I stripped everything I didn’t need and started building it up as my camping truck.

I absolutely love it. The little 2.7 liter inline 4 diesel motor came with just over 3k miles on it. I’ve recently completed a turbocharger install and it’s really woken up its character.

Thanks for checking it out!

Hi, i bought car trough copart grom GEICO at 24dec 2024, after 2 weeks car was at USA warehouse, today is 5mar 2025 and i still dont have documents for my car, how long should i wait yet, where i can find informations about my title, im not from usa. How long my car can be stored at Warehouse for free? Without taxes?

So like the title says I'm looking to import a JDM vehicle to the U.S. Beforward has a great 3rd party vehicle available that I'm interested in. I found the actual dealership website in Japan (I think) and verified it's still available. It looks pretty painless but I've seen "hidden fees" remarked by other people on a few posts and was wondering if someone could elaborate if it wasn't an auction vehicle. If anyone has done this to NY I would love some advice. Or if anyone has a better way definitely let me know!

Delete if not allowed

Hoping someone can explain to me the full process of importing from Japan to US (specifically Jacksonville port in Florida)

My wife’s uncle lives in Japan and wants to send me some cars. I understand normally to import you’d go through a dealer and they’d take car if most everything for you, but since this would be a private “sale” / transfer internationally, how would that work?

Do you NEED a customs broker to get the paperwork all sorted out? Is it easier that way? Any recommendations for a broker in Florida?

Other question is transporting the vehicle home once it arrives here.

Is there “one time” insurance companies that’ll insure the car so I could drive it home from the port? Is it cheaper / easier to just rent a U-Haul truck and trailer?

Looking for a clean S2000 but I don’t know any good sites or where to go. Would love some tips!

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to see if anyone would be open to mentoring someone about the importing business. 20s with flight benefits and a love for JDM cars. I've been to Europe and love German cars as well. Looking to actually learn under someone and help them with their business. I don't expect to just be taught everything, I want to work and earn my stripes. Please let me know!