Tag: importing mini trucks from japan

The federal laws allow the importation of mini trucks to the USA. When importing your mini truck, you will require a maritime attorney to help import a mini truck.

How To Find Maritime Attorney to Help Import a Mini Truck

Mini trucks have a Japanese origin, and these vehicles are made to meet the demands of the Japanese of the middle social class. With time, the demand for Kei trucks grew beyond the borders. These vehicles started finding new attention in various continents, and the US is not left behind. The United States has laws that regulate the importation of vehicles from other countries. Such laws are put for the foreign units not to interfere with the sales of locally assembled units. The federal laws allow the importation of mini trucks to the USA. When importing your mini truck, you will require a maritime attorney to help import a mini truck.

Getting A Maritime Attorney to Help Import a Mini Truck

A maritime attorney specializes in handling cases related to water transport. They perform maritime cases in court, draft necessary documents for maritime use, act as witnesses during the negotiation of maritime agreements, and handle maritime complaints. If you are planning to import a mini truck, you must sort the services of an experienced attorney. Here is how you can find one.

Identify the Legal Work you to be Done

The first step to getting a maritime attorney is to know the legal work you want them to do for you. In this context, the legal work is importing a mini truck. Consider choosing an attorney who is well conversant with the shipping law since maritime law is broad and various lawyers specialize in specific fields. 

Find a Maritime Attorney

Take your time looking for a perfect lawyer who will give you the necessary advice on importing a mini truck. You will find them in the online directory. In the database, you will find various lawyers and their profiles, including their physical location. On the profile, you will find their specific specializations.

Check the Maritime Law Firm Ranking

Check how maritime law firms rankings on US review platforms. Doing this will help you determine the most reliable law firm with no issues. The ranking will help you to determine the sizes of the law firms. It is expensive to hire attorneys from large firms compared to small firms. Knowing the law firm’s size will help you choose the one that suits your financial power.

Make a Review of the Credentials of Potential Lawyers

After choosing the right law firm, you can narrow it down to the individual attorneys in these firms. Look at their profiles which indicate their biographies. Doing this will assure you that these attorneys practice maritime laws. At this point, you should have already decided on the lawyer to choose. Before doing this, check the lawyer’s reputation-based clients’ feedback. If you are convinced, organize a physical meeting and explain to them the services you require.

Conclusion

Finding an attorney to help you import your mini truck is good to ensuring the safe importing of your mini truck. If any eventuality occurs, it is the attorney who will help you to pursue legal procedures. The attorney will also help you facilitate the signing and processing of various legal importation documents.

importing used trucks from japan Japanese mini truck

Perks Of Getting A Japanese Mini Truck

If you are an avid car lover and more specifically into trucks and pick ups, then you must have heard a thing or two about Japanese mini trucks. The Japanese mini truck is a native of Japan and they are manufactured by some of the leading industry car makers such as Subaru, Daihatsu, Mazda and Honda. Japanese mini trucks come in different makes and models and this is based on the intended purpose of the vehicle. Among some of the most common models that are popular across the globe includes dump bed mini trucks, flat bed mini trucks, scissor lift mini trucks and caravan mini trucks. Although these vehicles are a little different as compared to other types of trucks, they have proven to be invaluable in many ways and helpful in running daily errands. The dump
bed mini truck for instance resembles a pick up truck and it is very useful and can handle pretty much any task that a pick up can do. From the use in farms to construction, they are very capable and deliver. Dump
bed mini trucks are meant to carry loads which aren’t fragile and can be
dumped easily through the hydraulic dumping functionality it has. As for a pick up truck, one would have to modify it to function like the way the dump bed mini tuck does.

Who Should Get A Japanese Mini Truck?

flatbed mini truck

Before delving onto the reasons why one would want to get one and why it is advantageous, lets first look at some of the areas that they are useful at. Japanese mini trucks or Kei trucks as they are locally known in Japan, simply means a small truck. These vehicles have a smaller engine as compared to other similar vehicles such as pick up trucks. However, as much as they are smaller, you shouldn’t under-look them like many people do. They are very powerful as they have been optimized to carry heavy loads and offer excellent drivetrain that many vehicles won’t even have.

Among some of the areas that one can find a Japanese mini tuck useful includes:

Use in farms – Whether you are trying to get a vehicle to carry bags fertilizers or bringing produce from the farm, this is the vehicle for you.

Use in Construction – The drivetrain and power of Japanese mini trucks is commendable, and many people use them in construction sites to carry materials and equipment.

Hunting – most of the Japanese mini trucks are 4-wheel drive which means that they can go anywhere. So hunters who want to put a deer at the back of the mini truck can easily do so yet still easily maneuver the jungle’s harsh terrains.

Daily home errands – Japanese mini trucks are also very versatile and can be used to carry out normal home errands that a pick up truck will do.

Japanese mini trucks, whichever the model or design have stood the test of time and with their evolution and advancement through the years, it has emerge as one for the best and most loved vehicle across the globe.

Why Invest In Japanese Mini Trucks?

Here are some of the reasons why the Japanese mini trucks are loved across the globe and why you need to get one for yourself.

They Are Inexpensive

We all know that the price of vehicles in the market are going in one direction, and that has made it hard for most of us to own a vehicle that they want. Japanese mini trucks not only come in cheaply but
they are vehicles that also deliver.

So how do they perform as compared to pickup trucks and some of the other vehicles in its class? Japanese mini trucks are way affordable thanks to the use of small engine size and high level of engineering that makes it less expensive than most competing vehicles in the market. So, if you are on a budget and do not want to pay a premium to own a vehicle, then you should look at the Japanese mini trucks as a good consideration. Any expert or mechanic who knows this vehicle knows that you can count on it and you will get good value for the money.

The other reason why the Japanese mini trucks are very affordable, especially the second hand ones is that the older a vehicle in Japan, the more expensive the insurance costs. So, many people are trying to get rid of them and with a bazillion of them in the market, the price falls further. So why not take advantage of that and get yourself a nice vehicle?

Low Cost Of Maintenance

When it comes to maintaining a vehicle, the costs can dramatically go up making the vehicle very expensive to run. And that is a nightmare that nobody wants to go through. There are cars that are known to be good when it comes to maintaining and running them, and the good news is that the Japanese mini trucks are among these vehicles. Getting a Japanese mini truck is one of the best investments where you will see excellent fuel consumption as compared to many other vehicles.

Mechanics and vehicle specialists around you have experience in handling these vehicles, not only because they are very popular but because they are easy to take care of. They will also not need repairs and maintenance more regularly like you would find with many other type of vehicle in the market. The vehicles also come with easy to follow manuals which you can easily use to master the basics of repairing and maintaining it. Some of the basic maintenance that you should consider to get the best out of your vehicle include;

Regular oil change and level checking – Doing regular oil change will improve the vehicle’s efficiency as lubrication is crucial for every moving part.

Regular tire change & checking pressure regularly – Make sure to change your wheels after every six months or when the threads have started wearing out. This will ensure that you have a firm
grip especially when carrying loads under bad roads where traction is mostly needed.

Maintaining vehicle wiring system – The wiring system and lights of your vehicle should be good at all times to ensure that you are not only safe but also enjoying the best out of the vehicle.

Unmatched Performance & Reliability

japanese mini trucks

Japanese mini trucks are medium sized vehicle that consumes less fuel and demands less but still exhibits great performance? Although a pickup truck would be great but demands a lot when it comes to maintenance. Pick up trucks might appeal to many of us, but if you look keenly, you may end up loving the Japanese mini truck more. While these mini trucks usually come with about 600cc, which is lower than pickup trucks, they are excellent in carrying loads of up to 1.5 tons without any issues.

The fact that most of these mini trucks also come in 4-wheel drive makes it even better and reliable especially when it comes to handling harsh weather roads. The 4 wheel drive  capability enables vehicles to engage both axles and wheels making it more stable and stronger in handling bad roads where other vehicles might find difficult to pass through.

Buying And Importing Mini Trucks From Japan

Are you looking to buy and have a Japanese mini truck imported to your country or state the easy way? If so, read on. Japanese mini trucks are nowadays all over the globe and you can buy them from your local dealer. However, sometimes you may want to consider the option to buy and import directly from Japan. In such a case, there are several steps that you will have to follow to get your mini truck delivered to your destination country.

The obvious steps always include filing for an Entry which is the permit that allows you to import a vehicle from another country. Next, it is usually clearing with the local authorities to verify vehicle legalities and requirements.

After that, the other part is purchasing and having the vehicle
shipped to you. The process is simpler than how most of us consider it
to be. In fact, here at Substar Inc, we help our customers by shipping
them the vehicle and sparing them the hassles that they would have had
while dealing with shipping agencies.

Final Verdict:

If you are looking for a reliable and high performance vehicle option that can easily replace the pick up truck yet still affordable, then Japanese mini trucks is what you need. Japanese mini trucks are becoming well known across the globe and it is for all the good reasons. With all the advantages that come with it, you will most likely love the Japanese mini trucks. The good news is that it is affordable to get one and importing one has never been
easier. Get in touch with us so that we can help you get the mini truck of your choice.

Among some of the most common Japanese mini trucks that you will come across include the Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and Honda Acty. We have all these vehicles in our inventory and you can see them in our car listings page. If you would also like to get a used mini truck or a minivan from the auctions then you should get in touch with us and we will help you find that vehicle that you are looking for.

flat bed mini truck

Things To Consider When Buying A Flat Bed Mini Truck

Do you always find yourself in situations that you have to carry abnormally sized loads or those that cant be carried on your normal pick up? If this is something that you have had to deal with more often, then you need to get a more suitable kind of vehicle to help you deal with this. The good things about all that is that there are lots of them that will help you do that. A good option that is worth considering is a flat bed mini truck.

 

Flat bed mini trucks are similar to any other mini truck, only that they are designed with a bed that is completely flat and nothing on the side. Most of the flat bed mini trucks that you will find in the market come from Japanese automakers and they have stood the test of time which makes them accepted globally. Whichever the terrain that you are in, the Japanese mini trucks will work just perfect. In this guide, we will go through some of the things that you need to look for when you are getting a second hand flat bed mini truck. Whether you are importing it by yourself or having an agent do it for you, then these pointers are crucial in finding the right one.

 

What To Look For In A Second Hand Flat Bed Mini Truck

Here are crucial things that one needs to keep in mind to ensure that they are getting a good flat bed mini truck.

Reliability Of The Vehicle

you can actually know how reliable a vehicle is by taking some time to learn more about that specific model and how people feel about it. Skimming through the forums and learning a bit about a vehicle will help you learn from the experience of other owners and this can help you make an informed decision and know with certainty if that particular vehicle will work for you. Since there are different models of flat bed mini trucks, it is crucial to know more details about every model and type that is available to you. Some vehicle types are also suitable for some terrains and might not work on others. If you expect to use the vehicle on rugged roads, then you should consider getting a 4X4 vehicle that is meant to handle such terrains.

Mechanical Condition

There is nothing else that better defines the performance that you will get from the vehicle besides the mechanical condition that it has. With the fact that what you are getting is a second hand vehicle and cant have detailed information on how the mini truck was used, you need to dig deep and do your due diligence to ensure that whatever you are getting is up to par and will give you the service and performance that you need.

 

If you are wondering how you can learn and get more information on the mechanical condition of the mini truck before you buy it, then there are a number of options to consider. One of them is to ask the seller for a video walk-through to make sure that everything is set. You need to ask for a detailed coverage of the vehicle’s inside.

Avoid Scams

The auto industry has lots of scams, specially when it comes to importing a vehicle from another country. As such, you need to make sure that whoever you are dealing with and purchasing from is a company that has a good reputation and known in the industry. This will help you reduce the chances of getting scammed since bait and switch is something that many buyers have had to go through.

 

Another good way of avoiding these scammers and getting conned when importing a vehicle is to use a trusted agency who will handle everything from the duties to the importation work. This will come in handy especially if you have little experience with importing things from overseas.

Mileage

blankIf you ask any car expert about the most important things that they look for when buying a second hand vehicle, they will tell you that it is mileage. Mileage is the measure of how far the vehicle has traveled since it was manufactured. It will also be a good indicator to how much the vehicle has been used.

Another angle that the vehicle mileage comes to play is the pricing. Most of the vehicles that have low mileage tends to be more pricier than those with more mileage. This is because they are deemed to be in much better condition and known to offer better performance since they are still newer. Although this isn’t always the case, it is good to keep this in mind when you are buying a second hand vehicle.

Final Word

Unless you are going to Japan to do a manual inspection on the flat bed mini truck that you are getting, you need to have a list of things to check to avoid getting a faulty vehicle. With the above factors in mind, you will be able to get a good vehicle that will give you good service in whatever you need it for. Flat bed mini trucks are among the best when it comes to hauling loads and cargo from one point to another and getting the right one from Japan wont disappoint. They are both affordable and reliable.

Here at Substar, we have been helping thousands of people find their best mini trucks and we also help them find the best shipping and transportation options to help save costs. Besides that, we have vetted and ensures that every vehicle listed on our platform is in the best condition and is all you need. If you are looking for a good quality flat bed mini truck or any other vehicle from Japan, then look no further. Head over to our listing page and find one that best suits your desires. You can then get in touch with us and we will give you more details and how we plan to help you get the vehicle fast and more affordably.

 

used Japanese mini truck

7 Things To Look Into Before Importing Used Japanese Mini Trucks To The USA

As much as we all want to save and get the best mini trucks that we always want, it is important to keep in mind that sometimes it might not be as smooth as we want it to be. Sometimes people end up with vehicles that they didn’t purchase and sometimes people get cheated into buying mini truck that aren’t in the condition they expected it to be. Be it a mini truck, a micro van or any other car, there are things that you need to look out for.

To help you avoid getting hooked with import scams and other complications when importing your car from Japanese exporters, here are some of the things you should watch out for.

Avoid Mini Trucks That Are Faulty

There are vehicles of all kinds that are on sale and some could have issues that are considered minor. While it could be a good way to save and get a vehicle at a waived price, it could also be the beginning of problems for you. It is a gamble that isn’t worth taking especially if you don’t have prior understanding of that particular vehicle.

These mini trucks might come in cheaply and while you may be thinking that you can do an easy fix on it, it could end up being a series of issues under the hood. If for instance you decide to import a mini truck with a faulty hydraulic lift system, you might find yourself buying the whole system which you dint plan to.

On top of this, you need to ask for a maintenance record on the vehicle to see if has been having technical issues and such a case, you need to avoid a vehicle that has been experiencing such issues.

Avoid Importing Mini Trucks Re-fitted With A Different Body Kit

It is a rare thing to come across a vehicle that has been fitted with a body kit that is different from its original, but they do exist. If you come across one on sale and you find yourself contemplating on whether to import it or not, it would be better to just ditch it.

The refitted body could mean a lot. Probably more than just the kit and that is another risk you wouldn’t want to take.

Watch Out For Cons And Online Scams

Scams are all over and although we’ve had enough of the conmen and scammers, the only way to avoid them is by being extra cautious. It would be a tragic encounter to be cheated into buying a mini truck which doesn’t exist or one that is completely different from what you were expecting.

Every expert will tell you to do thorough research before making an online deal. Doing your due diligence and making inquiries will help you judge whether it is a path worth taking or not.

Another good way of handling this is by working with an experienced importer or an import agency. With a local agency that has been in the industry for long, you can get good advise on how to go about every import process.

Make Sure The Vehicle Is Fully Compliant With CBP

blankSomething else that you wouldn’t want to experience issues with is to have your shipped vehicle impounded for some non-compliance.

While filling the import details with the state agencies, make sure that the vehicle meets all the quality standards and you have provided all the relevant details as required. This will make the clearance process with the authorities and customs a breeze.

Ensure The Vehicle Has Been Thoroughly Screened And Cleaned
The US, like any other country has strict policies against vehicles and any shipment entering the country. It is a requirement that the vehicle is steam cleaned to ensure that there is no transfer of bacteria, viruses and such health hazards from other countries.

Although cleaning might not lead to matters that are serious such as with the vehicles that don’t comply with the roads and transport agencies, it could lead to delays and could even attract more penalties.

Avoid Vehicles That Have Partial Or No Certification And Particulars

Now you may come across some vehicles that have no clear records. Log books, registration certificates among other documents are among every vehicle’s most relevant assets and nobody should acquire a vehicle that doesn’t have these documents. Importing a vehicle without these credentials to the United States could become hectic clearing it if at all it will make it through.

Most of the offers that comes along without these credentials could also end being scams and probably the mini truck doesn’t even exist. You shouldn’t take any chances with a vehicle that has no proper certification and particulars and one needs to do their due diligence in verifying that.

Avoid Buying Mini Trucks From Dealers Who Give You Limited Access

One of the most crucial things that you need to do when you are importing your mini truck is to first work with an exporter who is credible and has been in the business long enough. the Japanese exporter should give you details and access to anything that you need on the mini truck that you are eying.

It could mean something is fishy with the car and that is the last thing that you’d want to experience.

Final Word:

Mini trucks have become popular machines that are highly dependable especially in hauling goods from one point to another. One of the best places to get one is to import directly from Japanese used car exporters. However, with many challenges especially to people who have no experience in importing, one needs to be extra keen to make sure they are getting the quality vehicle that will serve them.

If you are looking for a mini truck or a minivan, then why not take some time to go through our regularly updated listing? We have been in the industry for many years and you can count on us for quality and reliable used Japanese mini trucks. you will find models such as Subaru Sambar, Suzuki Kei mini trucks, Mazda Scrum, Daihatsu Hijet among many others.

second hand mini trucks from Japan

Importing Used Japanese Mini (kei) Trucks Directly From Japan

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.

blankReceiving 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.