Plain-English guides to importing a used car from Japan — model-vs-model comparisons, shipping and cost breakdowns, and how the auctions actually work.
Cars built in 2001 clear the US 25-year rule through 2026, build month by build month: late R34 GT-Rs, the S15 Spec-R, the Evo VII. Here is the list, and what importing one actually costs.
18 July 2026
Japan’s two best-known kei trucks go head to head: the Carry DD51T with its cult US following against the Hijet, the simplest and often cheapest working truck at auction.
Japan exports cheap hybrids by the thousand — but a hybrid is not always the right buy abroad. Here’s how to weigh fuel savings against battery, parts and support in your country.
1 July 2026
Low mileage looks reassuring, but the auction grade — the inspector’s condition score — often matters more. Here’s how to read the two together and avoid a cheap-looking trap.
Importing from Japan is safe with the right partner and risky with the wrong one. Here are the red flags to walk away from, the green flags to look for, and a checklist before you pay.
The smartest imports aren’t the flashiest — they’re the ones with cheap parts, strong resale and small, tax-friendly engines. Here are the best picks by category for 2026.
Kenya caps imports at 8 years old and taxes big engines hard. Here are the age-compliant, cheap-to-run Japanese models that make the most sense — and where to price them.
Tanzania has no hard age ban, but an age surcharge makes old cars expensive. Here are the newer, small-engine Japanese models that make the most sense — and where to price them.
The three most-imported budget hybrid hatchbacks from Japan, compared on economy, space, parts and resale — plus a straight answer on which one to buy.
The Premio and Allion are mechanically the same car with different faces. Here’s why you shouldn’t overpay for one — and how to actually choose between them.
Two of Japan’s best cheap subcompacts, compared. The Vitz is bulletproof and cheap to run; the Demio drives and looks nicer. Here’s which suits your budget.
Two of the most-imported family SUVs from Japan compared: the value-focused, sometimes 7-seat Nissan X-Trail against the reliability-and-resale champion, the Toyota RAV4.
The mid-size Prado is lighter, cheaper to run and hugely capable. The full Land Cruiser is heavier-duty and more prestigious — but its bigger engine can cost far more to land in duty.
The HiAce is the default workhorse van with unmatched resale and parts. The Nissan Caravan (NV350) is comfortable, capable and often better value used. Here’s how to choose.
RoRo is cheaper and standard for a single running car; a container costs more but adds protection and lets you ship parts or a non-runner. Here is how to choose.
From winning at auction to your driveway is usually a few weeks to a couple of months. Here is the full timeline, plus approximate ocean-transit ranges by region.
The landed cost is the car, shipping and insurance, your country’s duty and tax, inland delivery and our fee. The tax step is where countries differ most.
New to Japan’s car auctions? Here’s what they are, why Japan has so many great used cars, how a car goes from owner to your driveway, and why you need a licensed member to bid.
29 June 2026
Grade 4.5? RA? Interior B? Here’s the full Japanese auction grading scale in plain English, and the grade most buyers should target.
The auction sheet is how you know a car’s real condition before you bid. Here’s how to read every part of it — the grades, the body map, and the marks.
Importing a car from Japan sight-unseen sounds risky. It’s safe when three things are true — a licensed exporter, a clear auction sheet, and no money down before you approve.
Showing 9 of 21
