If you are thinking of acquiring a mini truck to run your daily errands or for whatever reasons you have, then Japanese used mini trucks could be a good option. You can always find Japanese used vehicles in your local used car dealer, but have you ever weighed in and thought of importing the vehicle directly from Japan? Many people haven’t been taking advantage of directly importing their vehicles, leaving all the work for the dealers who quote crazy figures compared to the dirty cheap cost of the vehicle.
In this post, we hope to shed much light on the import process and help importers understand what is required for them when they would like to import from Japan.
Why Buy Mini (Kei) Truck From Japan?
Most people would ask, why not just buy the Kei mini truck from the local car dealer and get rolling? As that could be a good idea, you may also want to explore other available options such as importing from Japan. Below are some of the things that you could benefit from if you opt to buy your mini truck from Japan.
Affordability – we all love to be frugal when it comes to spending and choosing to import your own truck could be one way of saving on your next vehicle.
First off, you are cutting down the dealer who is looking to make profits by importing and shipping it to your local car dealer. But why not import it yourself? After all, it’s just paperwork and understanding some importing basics which you can master easily.
Easy to follow process – Forget the many myths and the runts that you will hear from folks all over saying that importing yourself is a big hassle. People are doing it every single day and they love the experience, so why don’t you also take the leap?
Good mechanical condition – One thing that you need to know is that all Japanese vehicles undergo periodical inspection. KEI mini trucks for example undergo annual inspection, making them a good option for anyone looking for a used mini truck to buy.
Steps Of Importing Used Mini Trucks From Japan
When you have made up your mind and decided to import your mini truck, here are the steps that you need to follow:
Get in touch with the vehicle exporter – If for instance, you check out our listings page and see a mini truck that you would love to import, you can examine the details and reach out to find out more.
Buying a vehicle isn’t a pick-and-go kind of deal, but one that you need to make precise inquiries to determine if it is the perfect one that you are shopping for. In such a case, getting in touch inquiring for more details is the best way forward.
You also need to understand the price quotation to make an informed decision. Prices are usually quoted as CIF or FOB. CIF which is the most common means refers to the pricing where the exporter takes care of every other cost incurred. On the other end, FOB includes only the transportation costs, exclusive of other duty and custom charges. CIF is the most convenient method of importing especially if you are inexperienced with the import business.
Placing Your Order – The next step is to make your order which in many cases is done through bank wire transfer. Again, you need to be cautious when sending money as there are scams all over and without keenness the transaction could get messy. When your order is placed, the exporter usually sends you a mail with all the order details including insurance certificate and duty costs receipts if you opted for the CIF option. Some of these details will also be required when collecting your vehicle and it is advisable that one submit them earlier before the vehicle is delivered. This will ease the processing and get your vehicle released on time.
Receiving Your Vehicle – After the shipping is done by the exporter, it is the role of Consignee (you) to pick it up from the port. The port will act as a clearance point, unless you have a private terminal. To avoid your vehicle being moved to customs, where it will attract accruing charges, you should pick it up within 15 days of delivery. You will be presented with forms to fill manually at the port and you will pay for the clearance fee as well. Your forms will then be stamped and your vehicle cleared. Be sure to have your driver’s license when you go to pick up your mini truck.
From there, the other procedure of registering the vehicle and getting it plated is an easy walk in the park which you can do easily.
Some Important Forms That You Will Fill In The Import Process
Here are some of the important forms that you will need to download and fill while in the process of importing your vehicle.
Most of the details are about the vehicle model and the shipping details. Should you get stuck filling them, the staff of the respective departments could help.
Entry form – this is the first form that you will have to fill which notifies the government that you are importing something from another country. The significant questions asked on this form are about what you are importing, where it is headed to and when it is being imported.
EPA form – The shipping needs to be EPA (Environmental Protection agency) and DOT (department Of Transport) compliant and this is what this form is all about.
CBP form – This is the Customs and border Protection which is necessary when shipping anything across countries.
Conclusion:
Importing used mini trucks from Japan isn’t as crazy as many dealers want you to believe. Hopefully, the steps above have shed enough light to help you understand more about how to import a mini truck from Japan. You can check out our list of vehicles which comes in different models.
You may also consult with the CBP officers should you have doubt about anything regarding shipping your vehicle.