A Clear Path to Importing Japanese Vehicles

Accessing the Source: Japanese Vehicle Auctions

Skyery Auto holds direct membership with the USS auto auctions, Japan’s largest used vehicle auction network. This membership is fundamental. Most vehicles available for export originate from these auctions. Instead of relying on intermediaries, Skyery Auto purchases directly from these auction sources. When a car is available in the auctions and matches your interest, we can acquire and export it for you.

The Skyery Auto Purchase Procedure (Major Steps)

Follow these primary steps for a successful vehicle purchase through Skyery Auto:

1. Selection: Identify a product you prefer from available auction listings or our curated selections.
   
   
2. Inquiry & Invoice: Submit an inquiry. Include your Consignee and Notify Party details (Full name, address, Telephone number). You will receive an Invoice for the chosen product. The invoice contains all pertinent details: purchase conditions, payment destination bank account information, deadlines, payment methods, etc.
   
   
3. Payment & Confirmation: Present the invoice to your bank, arrange payment according to the invoice terms, and supply the T/T copy within 48 hours from the invoice issue time to secure the purchase.
   
   
4. Processing Updates: You will receive Purchase Confirmation, shipping information, and other relevant updates from Skyery Auto.
   
   
5. Documentation: Following the product’s shipment, you will receive the Bill of Lading (BL) and other standard required documents.
   
   
6. Receival & Local Procedures: Receive your product after it arrives at your designated port. The delivery timeframe depends on your payment timing and final destination. Transparent customs fees payable to your agent and governmental duties/taxes are necessary at the port. These fees vary based on the vehicle’s model, year, engine size, and dimensions. We recommend contacting a clearing agent in your country for precise figures regarding customs clearance fees and applicable VAT.

Understanding Costs: CIF and Beyond

The price listed on your invoice (including inspection fees, if requested) represents the total cost for your selected product delivered up to the local port (CIF price). Skyery Auto applies no additional charges from our side beyond the agreed CIF price.

Important Note: The “Import tax” levied by your country’s government is separate from the CIF or C&F price. Payment for import tax occurs when the car reaches your port. For specifics on import tax amounts, consult a C&F agent in your area or at your selected port.

Logistics Management: From Auction to Port

• Domestic Transportation: Moving a vehicle from the purchase site (auction) to the designated export yard is termed Domestic or Inland Transport. Costs fluctuate from approximately $70 for locations near a major port to $700 for remote locations like Okinawa requiring ferry transport. Skyery Auto advises clients if transportation costs for vehicles from distant auction sites are considerable. This information allows clients to adjust bidding strategies. Sometimes, cars at remote auctions face less competition, potentially making the purchase valuable despite higher transport expenses.
  
  
• Yard Operations: Vehicles await export in designated yards near the port. Yard agents manage these restricted areas. Here, vehicles undergo preparation: cleaning, certification checks, and customs documentation completion. Skyery Auto arranges placement in the appropriate yard, offering the necessary services to meet your country’s regulations.
  
  
• Yard Storage: Vehicles typically remain in the yard for a few weeks pending vessel loading. Extended storage is possible, incurring fees. Generally, storage costs around 500 JPY daily after an initial free period (often one month). Skyery Auto manages these logistics efficiently.
  
  
• Transport Time & Considerations: Inland transport duration varies from a few days to two weeks, contingent on the auction location. Skyery Auto leverages long-standing relationships with transport companies to expedite movements whenever possible.
  
  
• Insurance: Client protection is essential. All vehicles purchased through Skyery Auto have domestic insurance coverage during transport within Japan. For CIF shipments, we secure marine insurance before the vessel departs. FOB customers may request insurance purchase assistance.

Documentation Handled by Skyery Auto

• Auction Paperwork: Following a successful auction purchase, Skyery Auto receives the auction invoice and settles the vehicle’s full price, recycling fees, applicable car tax, and consumption tax by the next business day. (Our company reclaims these governmental fees; clients are only charged the vehicle price itself). Upon payment completion, we receive the vehicle’s keys and registration documents from the auction house.
  
  
• Deregistration & Export Document: We undertake the vehicle’s deregistration process using the received registration document. This involves multiple applications, stamps, and forms submitted to the car registration office to obtain the crucial “EXPORT DOCUMENT.” A single original of this document exists; it is essential for registering the car in most destination countries. Skyery Auto sends you this original document after all payments are finalized.
  
  
• Port Documentation: A copy of the “EXPORT DOCUMENT” is emailed to the yard, enabling them to proceed with customs clearance applications.
  
  
• Bill of Lading (BL): This document grants the consignee ownership rights to the property aboard the ship. Three original copies are typically issued; one is usually sufficient.
  
  
• Surrendered Bill of Lading: To mitigate the risk of losing original BLs in transit, a “surrendered” BL option exists. The originals are submitted back to the shipping company. An emailed copy of the surrendered BL is then sufficient for release.
  
  
• Final Document Dispatch: Skyery Auto dispatches all necessary documents required for your specific country via DHL or a similar courier service once payments are fully confirmed.

Receiving Your Vehicle

Congratulations! Your vehicle arrives after its ocean voyage. Shipping agents provide arrival notifications. With payments complete and the Bill of Lading received, you can initiate the customs clearance and registration procedures according to your country’s laws. Procedures differ per country; we recommend consulting local agents specializing in vehicle imports or contacting us for guidance.

Why Choose Skyery Auto?

The Skyery Auto Advantage for Your Imports

• Direct Official Auction Membership: Skyery Auto is a direct, official member of all major Japanese auto auctions. Japanese auto auctions function as B2B platforms, ordinarily inaccessible to the general public and requiring stringent screening plus registration fees for participation. Many dealers and exporters use intermediaries, which adds layers of cost. Skyery Auto eliminates these middlemen and their associated fees. We do not charge clients separate membership registration fees.
  
  
• Comprehensive In-House Management: We manage the entire process internally. Our services cover:

1. Transport arrangements from the auction location to the shipping yard.
2. Vehicle deregistration and export cancellation procedures.
3. Container & RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) shipping arrangements.
4. Export customs clearance procedures.
   

• Decades of Operational Expertise: As a commercial entity operating from Tokyo for decades, Skyery Auto possesses a deep market understanding and established logistical pathways for exporting vehicles from Japan.
  
  
• Transparency and Quality Focus: We maintain transparency in our operations. We prioritize acquiring vehicles above specific quality grades and confirm that we do not purchase automobiles with accident histories. Clients receive clear information about the cars they consider.
  
  
• Clear, Understandable Pricing: Our pricing structure is straightforward. The quoted CIF price covers costs up to your destination port, with no subsequent charges from our end (excluding requested inspections or governmental import taxes at your port).
  
  
• Bilingual Support: Our team offers bilingual assistance, facilitating clear communication throughout the import process.
  
  
• Global Reach & Shipment Capability: With established routes and offices, we effectively manage shipments to Europe, GCC countries, Cyprus, Africa, and other destinations.