The importing process
Step by step
process
- Contact us (EMAIL) / (PHONE)
- Sign up for Japanese auction access with us
- Browse the auctions and pay your deposit for us to inspect
- We inspect the cars that you have selected
- Once happy, we bid up to your budget amount
- Once purchased, we help finalise the details & arrange shipping to NZ
- Pay shipping, taxes & customs fees
- Car goes to compliance, here is when you pay for the compliance process
- 12 week ETA from purchase in Japan to driving in NZ
Japanese car auction information
JAPAN CAR AUCTIONS
In Japan we can only see the vehicles coming up a few days in advance. Different vehicles come up every day, every week.
Vehicles at Japan Auctions only come up for about 30 seconds so we need to set a max budget and stick to it. It is not like Ebay, Collectingcars etc where you have 7 days to bid, the vehicles only come up on one day and are only live for 30 seconds.
There are no auctions on Sundays and hardly any cars on Mondays. Tuesday – Saturday are the busiest days.
When do i make payments?
Today – Pay Deposit ($1190) or sign up to auction system
Win car – Pay for car in Japan (pay balance of our fee if needed)
8-10 weeks – pay shipping, gst, customs one week before car arrives
12-16 weeks – pay compliance, roadworthy, rego and stamp duty
Frequently asked questions
What cars can I import into NZ?
Please note that not all vehicles can be imported into New Zealand.
All imports must meet NZTA entry certification requirements, including approved emissions and frontal impact standards, and must be able to pass compliance inspection once they arrive in New Zealand.
Vehicles that are 20 years or older may qualify for the classic vehicle exemption, which can allow some vehicles to be imported even if they do not meet modern safety standards.
If you have a specific vehicle in mind, contact us and we can confirm whether it is eligible to import and comply in New Zealand.
How much is your fee?
The total fee we charge is determined by the work required, location, and price of the vehicle. Below is an example for vehicles purchased from Japanese auctions only.
The fee ranges from $990 – $9,990 NZD.
Under $30,000 = $1,190 NZD
$30,000 – $60,000 = $1,490 NZD
$60,000 – $90,000 = $1,990 NZD
$90,000+ = Case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of $9,990 NZD for vehicles over $200,000 NZD.
Are the cars insured during transit to New Zealand?
Yes. We work with a shipping partner called Moana Blue when transporting cars from Japan to New Zealand.
Can you import modified vehicles?
We can only import vehicles with “minimal” modifications. Anything highly modified will not pass compliance in Australia.
“Minimal” meaning
- Rims
- Coilovers
- Front Mount Intercooler
- Exhaust
If you are wanting to import a heavily modified vehicle we can import it under the race/rally criteria for use in racing and track events only. You can import it under this rule and return it to stock to have it complied in the future.
Do you check vehicles in person?
Yes, we check every vehicle in person. Our team in Japan are experts at knowing exactly what to look at on the cars to ensure they’ll meet compliance standards in New Zealand.
How does the bidding process work?
In Japanese auctions, the bidding window lasts only 10-40 seconds, leaving no time for discussion; thus, our clients must set a maximum budget for their chosen vehicle and hope to secure the vehicle below the max bid amount. Auctions feature multiple “lanes” where cars are put up for auction approximately every 20 to 30 seconds throughout an extensive 8 to 12-hour period; furthermore, a significant number of bidders participate remotely, not physically present at the auction site.
How do I read the auction sheets?
Global Auto Imports has a minimum standard of 3.5 grading for the vehicles they purchase unless the client is willing to purchase a lower grade.
Exterior Condition
5 – a car that looks brand new and has no blemishes.
4.5 – excellent condition and could pass for a new one, with only minor imperfections that only the most meticulous buyer would notice.
4 – indicates a vehicle with better-than-average wear and tear, in clean overall condition despite a few minor marks.
3.5 – cars with normal wear and tear based on their age and mileage, and may need some cosmetic work such as paint touch-ups or minor repairs to interior parts.
3 – Vehicle is in very poor overall condition. Expect paint fade, smokers smell, scratching, rust, chassis cutting and more.
R – Repaired vehicles: Most sports cars produced before 2000, such as Skylines, Silvias, RX7s, Chasers, etc., are repaired vehicles in Japan. Repairs can range from minor alterations like cutting the radiator support for a front-mount intercooler to significant front-end damage. These vehicles will always be cheaper and sometimes worth considering if the damage is not significant.
RA – Repaired vehicles that are still in good overall cosmetic condition.
RA2/3 – Repaired vehicles in poor condition, these vehicles will be extremely bad all around and may have serious repair work done to a poor standard.
Interior Condition
A – represents a brand new car with no signs of wear or tear.
B – is very clean and has better-than-average wear and tear.
C – signifies a car with typical wear and tear based on its age and mileage, which may include some marks or tears on the seats. However, significant issues are usually mentioned separately in the auction notes.
D – denotes a car that is very rough or has been stripped as part of a weight loss program for racing.
E – indicates an interior that is in extremely poor condition. Dash cracks, smokers smell, sticky or melting plastics.
What is your refund policy?
A deposit of $1190 NZD is required to secure the services of XXX. The balance of our fee is payable upon securing the vehicle and you paying the seller for said vehicle. The total fee is based upon the final price of the vehicle and the country we are importing it from. Our fee is non-refundable.