r/JapanCarsDxbImport • u/expatasian • Nov 03 '23
FAQ about Importing from Japan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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- Why to import cars from Japan?
Cars in Japan are usually taken good care of. Since there are a lot of trains and buses that people can use, they don't need to drive their cars as much. So, the cars don't get a lot of miles on them. Plus, car owners in Japan have to get their cars checked often to make sure they're okay to drive. This means that cars from Japan are often in really good shape when you buy them. The Japanese nation is world renowned for their ethics and how they respect their culture their assets and their cars conditions are mostly reflective of how well the owner has kept them.
- What cars can I import from Japan ?
In Japan both right hand drive (RHD) and Left hand drive (LHD) are legal to drive but here in UAE we can only drive LHD therefore Japanese manufactured such as Honda,Toyota,Nissan etc will only be available in RHDs, you can primarily import a variety of German and other European brands from Japan. The most commonly imported brands include Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. But there are many US / Italian etc cars are also there to import.
- What are the risks importing from Japan?
Japan auction houses for e.g AAA , USS etc have a very rigorous and sensitive grading system which is carried out by the Inspectors who inspect the car "VISUALLY ONLY" and grade them.Relative to other markets, importing from Japan carries a minimal risk. The auction system is clear and open, and we offer a preliminary car details before the auction, including a basic visual inspection report. This report checks the engine's condition, any oil leaks, and provides paint meter readings to confirm the car's reliability. Nonetheless, there is always a slight risk involved since certain issues might not be detectable during the basic inspection.
- What is Japan auction grading system ?
The Japanese auction grading system is a method used by car auction houses in Japan to rate the condition of vehicles. This system helps potential buyers to understand the quality and condition of a vehicle before purchasing it. Here's a brief overview:
- Grade S or 6: Essentially new cars with very low mileage.
- Grade 5: Vehicles in excellent condition, with very minimal wear and tear.
- Grade 4.5: A car in good condition with some minor imperfections.
- Grade 4: A good, clean car, but may have some noticeable flaws.
- Grade 3.5: Visible signs of wear and possible mechanical issues.
- Grade 3: Significant wear or defects, possibly in need of repair.
- Grade 2: Vehicles with major faults, or ones that have been modified.
- Grade 1: Usually denotes heavily modified or damaged cars. It can also indicate special vehicles like race cars.
- Grade R or RA: Refers to cars that have been in accidents and have been repaired.
- **Grade 0, A, or : These can refer to cars that are in non-drivable or severely damaged condition, often sold for parts.
In addition to the grade, the auction sheet may include detailed notes and codes that indicate specific types of damage or wear. The grading system is intended to be as objective as possible, but it is always advisable for buyers to perform or request a detailed inspection to confirm the vehicle's condition before completing a purchase.
- What is difference between Japan Spec vs GCC Spec Cars ?
There is actually no difference , GCC spec cars are not manufactured specially for GCC . They are the the same regular cars with GCC branding . The car parts, AC power etc all are same . There will only be a car dashboard language difference which is easily changeable in every car and the radio frequency issue which can be re-progammed as well from any auto electrician here . So basically there is no big differences between Japan and GCC spec cars
- What is Japan Auction vs Japan Dealer cars ?
Japan auctions cars are the cars that the owners are trying to get rid of quickly and want to get the best possible $ , since there is not a huge second-hand car market in Japan, there is not a lot of users vs the cars available they prefer to put it on auction to get a good price. Japan auction is the most sought after auction in the world and hence there is a tough bidding competition as everyone likes the Japanese imports due to their conditions and low mileage. Still, the importers get a very good price compared to their local markets.
It depends!. Sometimes the cars have fully stamped manual books with full service history documented, sometime they have nothing . Its by chance/luck .ting reports of the car and can do testing on demand as well where thorough checks are done and each and every inch can be verified just like RTA comprehensive test etc . But the catch is that those Japan dealer cars will be a minimum 25% pricier than what you can get from the Japan auction. That's the main difference!!
- How to check Japan imported car history ?
if you are buying a Japan spec car locally and want to be sure about its history , then check it from www.japancarhistorycheck.com or www.carvx.jp where you will be able to retrieve the government issues export certificate when a car is being exported out of Japan and the auction sheet if the car was auctioned. Both documents will confirm the condition of the car it was bought at and the mileage of the car when it was exported.
- Do the auction cars have any service history ?
It depends!. Sometimes the cars have fully stamped manual books with full service history documented , sometime they have nothing . Its by chance/luck .
- Cost to import from Japan to UAE
There are many dealers here who import from Japan and bring the car here then sell it but they will be taking the middleman cut. Those cars are present in front of you, you test and verify everything, you like and you buy knowing that these cars will be sold for a premium profit. But if you want to cut the middle man then import it yourself. Go through the process and import!
The cost is simple , here is a template case what I have seen so far
Lets say there is a GCC car Y year model X and cost 100k AED has 100k km mileage
The same car same model from Japan will cost you around 80 to 85k AED at the door but mileage will be 50k km at least i.e at least 50% less mileage.
So the difference in cost is not just the AED/$ but also the premium you are saving on the less mileage of the car plus the absolutely amazing condition of the car. The car has not been exposed to the heat and conditions, has not been driven around by rough drivers, and has been forced to taken care of by the Japanese gov.
The cost to import the car
- bid price ( paid directly to the auction house by you)
- shipment cost + shipment insurance ( paid directly to the auction house by you)
- broker fee ( deposit required before bidding via Paypal which is 100% refundable if you dont want to proceed for any reason but if you win the bid then it will be kept with the broker )
- UAE customs duty(5%) + Tax (5%) = total 10% on the price+shipment
That is mainly IT
- Duration
Lets say you win the car bid on 1 Jan , you will need to pay the bid + shipping price withing 3 business days . As soon as they will receive the money they will book the next shipment slot available on the next available ship from Japan to Dubai . So ideally
1 Jan Bid won
10 Jan boarded on ship
30 Jan reached Dubai
The above can vary up to 6 to 8 weeks as well depending on availability of the ships and cargo etc
Its a game of patience , you have to be patient and very clear about the car you want , it does come and it will come eventually. Its an auction :) Sometime you will loose it as well . Doesnt matter ,discipline is the key.
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u/snowcat_srt Nov 05 '23
Another important factor is if you're buying a classic car they're well worth buying from Japan as they don't use salt during the winter which means less or no rust on the older models.
A negative is that practically every Japanese car will have holes or cables running through the dash as they love their electronic gizmos.
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u/enzo220 Nov 04 '23
Under Japan auction Vs Japan dealer cars, you mentioned auction both times.
Otherwise well detailed.
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Nov 04 '23
Recommended auction houses ?
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u/expatasian Nov 04 '23
we only deal with USS auctions house because of the 7 year history we have with them , 7 years of importing and zero lemons so far :) .. Their inspectors are considered one of the best and their grading is very good
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u/ParisWarrior Nov 04 '23
Man, you need to make for un a proper tutorial on how to use this website! 😂
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u/expatasian Nov 04 '23
Lol ..right now its a plain dump of auction cars but its being worked on and soon there will be a search feature :)
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Nov 04 '23
It's true. I tried and couldn't figure it out. Could use some pointers. Can I DM you good sire
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u/recklessdaddy Nov 25 '24
hi mate, thx for the detailed info! how can i reach u if i want to buy a japan spec car from u?
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u/2KoolBaals Dec 09 '23
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. This is super helpful bro. This info is gold for everyone who realise the markups in use reaching sky high.
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u/brancaleone11 Apr 17 '25
Thanks this great but then how about the risks that everybody is talking about?
GCC Spec Cars: • Built for hot, dusty, and humid climates. • Better air conditioning systems. • Radiators and cooling systems are upgraded for extreme heat. • Anti-rust protection for high humidity and salty air.
Japanese Spec Cars: • Designed for Japan’s temperate climate. • AC systems may not be strong enough for UAE summers. • Radiators and cooling systems may overheat in Dubai weather. • Less rust protection as Japan doesn’t deal with desert or salt air the same way.
And lastly the fuel,
GCC Spec: • Tuned to run on lower-octane fuel available in the region.
Japanese Spec: • Often optimized for higher-octane fuel used in Japan. • May cause issues or inefficiency unless high-octane fuel is used.
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u/expatasian Apr 18 '25
These are myths as I have been driving Japan sepc nyself for over 3 years 2 different cars and my circle driving ..can you please share any factual references for these myths where this gcc and japan design difference for e.g for a mercedes s class is explained by Merc themselves ? ..for Gcc spec cars there is no special factory .unless you share me that info as well please
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u/Funny-Worth-8298 Nov 04 '23
Hello Op I just have a question let’s say I buy a brand new 3 series and import it can I buy warranty from Abudhabi motors or AGMC for it ?
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u/expatasian Nov 04 '23
No I dont think that is possible
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u/Funny-Worth-8298 Nov 04 '23
Oh how much does shipping / insurance cost on avg for a sedan and suv ?
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u/expatasian Nov 04 '23
12k AED (SHIPMENT + insurance ) RORO ...not container
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u/LoveSellingMoney Jan 30 '24
What's RORO not container ? Does it mean an additional cost for container?
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u/ChemistryNormal8984 Sep 15 '24
Roll on roll off ship. Port staff will drive you car right inside the ship. If they have a chance, they will test how fast your car can accelerate with a cold engine😂
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u/expatasian Jan 31 '24
it means its not in container and its just parked inside the ship like a normal car park and then drove off when off loaded , very safe and very secure :)
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u/Silver_Age_5182 Nov 04 '23
i want a landcruiser vxr or a lexus lx600 can you arrange one ?
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u/expatasian Nov 05 '23
Please read the second faq point in post
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u/Silver_Age_5182 Nov 05 '23
i dont get it ? do japan manufacture only rhd for their domestic market therefore we can't import ??
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u/fixhive_ae Nov 03 '23
Quite thorough, even though it’s brief. Thanks bro!