FAQs

FAQ

Some great info for new buyers.

How do I know if I can import a car into my country?
If you are unsure about whether you can import a certain vehicle, please contact the proper authority with regards  to customs and importation of vehicles in your country. We can provide basic information on customs and regulations for many countries, BUT, these regulations obviously vary and change depending on nation. It is the customer’s responsibility to be fully aware of the applicable importation laws in their own country, as we cannot be held liable. (We are based in Tokyo, Japan and currently deal with over 15 Countries around the world)

Where do you source your cars from?

We purchase our cars directly from the Japanese Wholesale Auto Auctions throughout the Country (150,000 Units per week) or from direct from Car Dealers through our extensive Japanese Dealer Network (Around 250 000 Used Vehicles at any one time).

How do I buy a car/cars/truck/trucks/machinery from ELITE AUTO EXPORT JAPAN?

– Once we have qualified you and have received a deposit and also have all the information about the car you have inquired about, we can start searching and send you possible matches daily. Once you have been given all the necessary information regarding the car of interest and you give us the go ahead to purchase, we will source your car.

• No Decision on purchasing a car will be made without the clients express verbal go ahead.

How much of a deposit do I have to pay before you can begin searching for my vehicle?

We require a deposit of 200,000 JPY for cars out of auction.The deposit will be deducted from the balance of your account once purchase is made. This deposit is 98% refundable (minus around 2 000 JPY for bank fees in Japan) should you choose not to purchase a vehicle with us.

How much do I have to pay for you to source me the vehicles of my dreams?
Depending on how many vehicles your order determines the agents fee. For example, for a first time individual we will require an agent’s fee of 150 000 JPY for any vehicle under 1 million JPY FOB Japan. Due to higher taxes, any vehicle with a cost of over 1 million JPY will require 20% of the vehicles purchase price as a fee. For multiple dealer vehicle purchases, FOB rates will be negotiated.

What does your agent’s fee include?
– Our fee includes auction fees,  Japanese de-registration fees, mandatory recycling fees, preparing export documentation, translations, and handling charges related to bringing the vehicle into approval for export.

Who takes care of getting my car ready for export and shipping it?

We will prepare your vehicle for export to any port of your choosing and will handle all the booking and shipping aspects from Japan. Depending on your country and method of shipping, costs for transport may be prepaid or paid on arrival, please contact us for more info

How long will shipping take?
Every destination has different shipping times and departure frequencies. Please contact us directly for a more detailed explanation of shipping times relating to certain countries and regions.

How much does shipping a car to my country cost, and what are my options?
Depending on your country of residence, shipping may be done by 40 ft container, or by “Roll on, Roll off”. Some shipping companies will require shipping to be paid prior to departure.We can explain your best options prior to purchase.

Can I come to Japan to see your stock or visit the auctions?
Should you choose to come visit us here in Japan, we will be more than happy to show you around the auctions or give you an up close and personal look at our stock. Due to the time and resources that we need to cater to your stay, we do require a deposit of 200,000 JPY. This will be refundable should you purchase a vehicle from us, and will be taken out of the balance of your invoiced total. If you have any questions regarding meeting or visiting with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more that happy to answer your questions!

Do you offer your services in any other languages?
Since we are an international company, and employ different people from various backgrounds, we can provide you service in English, Spanish, Japanese and Russian.Feel free to contact us with your questions!!

What is the difference in auction grading and how can I get more information about auction cars?

– Auction Grading System

All vehicles sold at auction are given an overall grade by the independent auction engineers that inspect them. Grades can range from 0 to 9 but most auctions only use 0 to 5. This number is shown in either the top left or top right of the auction sheet.

0, R or A are all used to denote accident repaired vehicles, with A1 and R1 gradings indicating that a vehicle has had only a minor accident repair.

Accident grade cars (or grade 0) can still be very good and are worth considering PROVIDING that the damage has been only minor and has been repaired to a high standard. For example, an otherwise grade 4.0 vehicle may have suffered a 5km/h front accident rendering it a grade 0 due to having the front bumper and one fender replaced. The vehicle may be straight and very clean all round, with no residual evidence of the accident, however it is graded 0, and (on average) this will reduce the auction sale price. We will always supply you with complete information about the condition of vehicles at auction, so that you can make an informed decision on a case by case basis.

Grade 1 indicates that a vehicle has been significantly modified with performance parts or it can also be used to indicate a transmission change, for example from auto to 5 speed. If you want an aftermarket turbo then this is the grade you should be looking out for.

Grade 2 is used for vehicles in very poor condition and these are vehicles that generally, we will never consider.

Grade 3 to Grade 4.5. These gradings are used for non accident vehicles and any of these are fine to buy as long as the physical inspection by our buyers is positive. Occasionally a vehicle with very minor past repairs, such as a front fender replacement, might still be graded a 3.0 or 3.5. If this is the case then the lower grading might belie what is in reality a very nice vehicle which if it was not for the repair would deserve a 4.5 grading, so this must be considered in the physical assessment of the vehicle.

Grade 4.0 and 4.5 are used for vehicles that are overall very good and need little work to make them look pristine. These vehicles are not perfect though, and will still have small scratches and pin dents etc.

Grade 5 is reserved for new or near new vehicles that are in perfect condition. If you buy a grade 5 vehicles then you can expect it to be in showroom condition or very close to it.

Interior gradings are often used as well, you will generally see these written below the main auction grading on the auction sheet. They range from A to D, with A being the best and reserved for exceptionally clean or new vehicles. B is above average and may actually be just as good as A except for the fact that the vehicle is a few years old.

Each auction has it’s own variation of the grading scheme based on these basic guidelines, so it is important to recognize that grading systems vary from auction to auction. Our expreinced agents can help you this.

It is also important to note that grading is extremely variable within the auction itself as it is simply a subjective assessment by an auction engineer and a different engineer may grade the same vehicle differently.

Relying solely on the auction grading can often be deceptive and this is why it is so important to have a reliable buyer inspect the vehicle to provide a reliable first hand assessment which can be used in addition to the auction report to obtain a very good idea of the condition.

There is much more to buying a nice vehicle than the auction grading. This is where the experience of the buyers comes in, and their overall impressions of the vehicle and whether faults that have marked down the grading are minor or serious.

Options

AC-Air conditioner SR-Sun roof AW-Alloy Wheels PS-Power steering PW-Electric window
FA-Automatic gearbox F5-5Speed gearbox F6-6 Speed gearbox

An act beyond human control, such as lightning, flood or earthquake.A notification sent by the carrier on ship’s arrival to the consignee, the “Notify Party,” and – when applicable – the “Also Notify Party.” These parties in interest are listed in blocks 3, 4 and 10, respectively, of the Bill of Lading.A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods.A Term of Sale where the seller pays the costs and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination, Terms of Sale but the risk of loss of or damage to the goods, as (continued) well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the time the goods have been delivered on board the vessel, is transferred from the seller to the buyer when the goods pass the ship’s rail in the port of shipment. The CFR term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.A Term of Sale where the seller has the same obligations as under the CFR but also has to procure marine insurance against the buyer’s risk of loss or damage to the goods during the carriage. The seller contracts for insurance and pays the insurance premium. The CIF term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.An International Term of Sale that means the seller fulfills his or her obligation to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship’s rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks to loss of or damage to the goods from that point. The FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export.A shortening of the term, “Roll On/Roll Off.” A method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and specifications (weight, size, etc.).Represents a complete record of the transaction between the exporter and importer with regards to the goods sold. Also reports the content of the shipment and serves as the basis for all other documents about the shipment.A document, issued by a bank per instructions by a buyer of goods, authorizing the seller to draw a specified sum of money under specified terms, usually the receipt by the bank of certain documents within a given time.A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, whose validity has been confirmed by a domestic bank. An exporter with a confirmed letter of credit is assured of payment even if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults.Letter of credit in which the specified payment is guaranteed by the bank if all terms and conditions are met by the drawee and which cannot be revoked without joint agreement of both the buyer and the seller.The bank that adds its confirmation to another bank’s (the issuing bank’s) letter of credit and promises to pay the beneficiary upon presentation of documents specified in the letter of credit.(1) A stock of merchandise advanced to a dealer and located at his place of business, but with title remaining in the source of supply.(2) A shipment of goods to a consignee.A person or company to whom commodities are shipped.A person or company shown on the bill of lading as the shipper.The person or company who is usually the supplier or owner of commodities shipped. Also called Consignor. A classification, storage or switching area.A person whose business is to act as an agent on behalf of the shipper. A freight forwarder frequently makes the booking reservation.A penalty charge against shippers or consignees for delaying the carrier’s equipment beyond the allowed free time. The free time and demurrage charges are set forth in the charter party or freight tariff.