Importing Cars from Japan
 

Im thinking about importing an impreza from japan, ive searched but cant find any good sites to view the cars. Anyone know any good sites?

If you're serious, u should do some research first. i don't have any experience myself but Fraser Valley imports does a fair amount of skylines. Otherwise, research a little. It will help alot. u will be better off talking to importers directly so they can give u an idea.

Just contact fraser valley imports unless you already know a broker.
http://fvi.xtreemhost.com/index.htm

you can always go withwww.jdmconnection.com or www.tyeeimports.com, but you will be paying slightly more... but I would stay away from tyee for sure.


A broker will basically find you a car via auction or an existing car for sale by a dealer. Once you pay you basically wait for the car to arrive.

I imported a vehicle myself, I just had to pay a specific amount to the broker in Japan which included his commision, transporting the vehicle to the port, and doing all the paper work. I had to do all the paper work myself with customs and so on to actually release it from the port once it arrived, get the inspection done, and registering it. If you don't want all that hassle just find a broker to do all the work is your best option... so just contact FVI and go from there.

Akira can help you he's imported dozens of cars for customers including Imprezas. He knows all the ins and outs of the auctions as he used to work for them.

I have done my research and have found out it is cheaper to do it yourself, i was just trying to find some better sites to view the cars

not sure who this Akira is. Is he on revscene?

He works for Rise Auto Salon in Richmond. They're a sponsor here on Revscene. Go pay him a visit and you can get more information from him

Seriously, if I were to do it again I would use a broker. I imported my own Skyline back in the day and for the amount of hurdles and headaches I would rather pay someone $XXX to do it for me.

The guy who runs fraser valley imports is a friend of mine and he has access to great cars from quality exporters and looks at private sales before going to the auctions. Auction cars are always hit an miss. %90 of them I've seen are piles of shit. My R32 was a private, single owner car. I paid more for it but the car had ZERO issues and was a pleasure to own.

It's not THAT much cheaper.

i dont think its cheaper to do it yourself, more of a hassle to get it D.O.T approved etc.

^ actually, I find it difficult to do those paperwork translation in the Japan side rather than the DOT thing.

there\s a bunch but these are the only two i've been browsing

www.tyeeimports.com
www.terra2imports.ca

lol... STAY AWAY from tyee imports. don't ask why just stay away. google search is your friend.

And Terra2 is way hella expensive. Don't go there just for that alone.

take falcon's advice and just find a broker, not a car dealer... that's the best advice your going to get if your looking to import.

/thread.

u're learn more if u do it yourself

thanks for the help. ive contacted akira and he seemed really helpful and said he could import me a 94 sti in my budget, I just wanted to ask fraser valley imports for a quote

I will just come out and say it that Tyee always has interesting vehicles however they have a reputation for buying lower quality vehicles to keep the costs down.

have you considered checking with a subaru forum?

Fraser Valley Imports regularly brings in STI's and Evos. He may have one on the way. Just a FYI.

learning the hard way is never cheap

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to stop by there tomorrow
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^

I imported a vehicle before myself when I was only 17 ... but was insturcted what to do by someone I know who owns a dealership, so you can do it yourself but need to know your stuff.

what's so hard about it is not really the tasks, it's just that there is a lot of forums, papers, and running around town you will need to do/have completed, to get your car.

My exporter just had to provide Bill of Landing, Exporter Certificate, and the car documentation which he sent to me from Japan. After that DLL from aannacis island called me (location of vehicle) a few days in advance of arrival, they sent me a package with steps I had to complete to pick the car up... this included soil inspection release, paying custom taxes, and a couple other things.

So if your doing it yourself and if you do something wrong along the way, you will just delay the process. If you or your broker do exactly everything that's needed on time you should have your car within 3-5 weeks (2 weeks RORO shipping, roughly 1 week for customs release, and 1-2 weeks in Japan before the ship departures, 2 vessels leave japan monthly).

btw, RORO is usually $850, sometimes they'll charge more (I paid $1350)... I think containers even cost over 2k ?


so ya....... best to just get a broker.

Drive it here, duh.

i'm guessing that'd take 3-4 days. might be fun !

There is no "there"...

You have to email.