How to Import a JDM Car Legally

 By 2024, the process of transporting cars produced in Japan to Russia has become easier and cheap to undertake, although the Chinese car manufacturing industry had thrived in the Russian market. Since February 1, the Vladivostok customs have moved to the regime of no-days-off processing of the import of personal cars. The correspondents of vl.aif.ru write about the process of importing used and new foreign cars into the country today, including detailed insights on how to import a JDM car legally.

The previous 2023 became a year of records of the Vladivostok customs service in terms of the volume of imported automobiles - 226 thousand cars passed through the customs, which is one and a half times more than in the previous year. Individuals imported the most cars during the summer months, at the moment when the government of Japan stated that it would prohibit the export to Russia of electric and hybrid cars.

Research import regulations

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The government restricted other vehicles, like those with engine capacities exceeding 1.9 liters, most SUVs, crossovers, minibuses, and luxury sedans. Despite the government officially banning the importation of these types of vehicles, market supplies of vehicles not imported to Russia have increased. The importers have devised means of going round the bans though not necessarily legal in the eye of the laws of other nations. In Russia such cars are legal. Presently, consumers can purchase the foreign car directly in Vladivostok or order it through auctions in Japan or South Korea.

All these ways have advantages and disadvantages. The well-known in the Far East car market, the so-called Green Corner, is experiencing difficult times, and it is losing its positions. However, here you can purchase cars that are offered by individual sellers and small business. Sellers are not eager to provide information about themselves; nevertheless, they can give information related to the cars they are selling.

Start-up costs

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He makes sure that all the car's documents are in order. The car was imported by someone and has paid all the duties and recycling fees due. There is also a button for the GLONASS system in the car. The price for this car is 2,900,000 rubles. A Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is also up for sale; it has only been driven in Japan. According to the seller, the vehicle cleared customs in early February, and the asking price is 4,900,000 rubles. Buyers can purchase cars at the biggest Japanese auctions as well. 

Meanwhile, the rising popularity of online vehicle sales turns this procedure into a more prolonged one compared to purchasing a car at the local market. In case they do not want to spend much time, there is a possibility to address specialized firms that offer services on selection, importing and registering foreign cars. They deal with Japanese auctions, have a large choice of cars, however, they want to stay in the shadow, without attracting the unnecessary attention of local and foreign authorities.

The buying process

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The process for acceptable vehicles is easier than it used to be because the authorities once applied this term to vehicles that met preferential customs duties, but now they apply the term to vehicles that are not subject to sanctions, so the entire process is easy. The process of buying such a foreign car takes approximately four weeks after the date of purchasing the car at auction.

Prices of vehicles in Japanese auctions are different. For example, buyers can purchase the best-selling Toyota Corolla Axio sedan with a rating of 4.5 for approximately 750,000 yen (approximately 5,000 US dollars or 450,000 rubles), depending on the options selected. The transportation of a car to the port, handling the export documentation and parking in one of the Japanese ports, and its sea transportation normally costs between 900 and 1300 dollars, depending on the distance to the preferred port and the transportation terms.

Conclusion

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The shipment itself via transport ship becomes 5-7 days and the ships run between Russia and Japan rather regularly, which is not usually an issue. The entire procedure however makes the end price of the car very expensive. If one imports this vehicle, they must pay customs duty of $2,550, a customs charge of 3,100 rubles, and a recycling fee of 5,200 rubles. 

All of this results in the fact that the final cost of a car bought in Japan is nearly doubled in comparison with its initial cost, even considering the lowest possible price offered by all the members of the process. Whether you have always wondered how others begin importing Japanese cars and how you too could, you are in the right place! In this The transportation of a car to the port, handling the export documentation and parking in one of the Japanese ports, and its sea transportation normally costs between 900 and 1300 dollars, depending on the distance to the preferred port and the transportation terms.