Question 1

What is the step-by-step procedure to export a vehicle from Japan?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle export procedure is organized into five structured phases to ensure legal compliance, full mechanical transparency, and secure maritime transit. 1. Auction Selection & Live Bidding: We identify target vehicles across our official memberships (USS, TAA, CAA, MIRIVE, Honda, HERO) and bid live to your authorized budget. 2. Inland Transport & Staging Yard: Purchased units are transported via specialized car carriers to our secure export staging yards in Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, or Kobe. 3. Japanese Customs Deregistration: We submit the vehicle to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to receive the official Export Deregistration Certificate (Yushutsu Massho). 4. Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection: The vehicle undergoes required country inspections (such as JAAI, JEVIC, EAA) and background radiation screening. 5. Customs Clearance & Vessel Loading: Japan Customs export clearance is filed, vehicle is loaded onto a scheduled Ro-Ro or container carrier, and tracking details are shared.

Question 2

What original documents will I receive for customs clearance at my destination port?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after the vessel departs from Japan, we dispatch a complete original documentation dossier via DHL or FedEx Express directly to you or your designated customs clearing agent. Original Bill of Lading (B/L): Complete set of 3 original negotiable bills, or an express Telex Release upon written request. Official Japanese Export Certificate (Yushutsu Massho): Original certificate issued by MLIT along with a certified English translation. Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Signed and stamped with Onnesha Group Co. Ltd. corporate seal, detailing chassis number, engine number, and FOB/CIF value. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate: Certified original report (e.g., JAAI for Bangladesh/Sri Lanka, JEVIC/EAA for East Africa). Radiation Inspection Certificate: Verifying background radiation levels conform to international safety limits. Marine Cargo Insurance Policy: Full institute cargo clause transit insurance certificate (for CIF terms).

Question 3

How do you handle mandatory pre-export inspections (JAAI, JEVIC, EAA, and radiation screening)?

Accepted Answer

Onnesha Group manages all pre-shipment inspections end-to-end within our Japanese port staging facilities prior to vessel departure, preventing port rejection or punitive fines at destination. Bangladesh & Sri Lanka (JAAI): Japan Auto Appraisal Institute inspection verifying non-tampered digital odometers, chassis alignment, structural roadworthiness, and safety equipment. East Africa (JEVIC / EAA): Pre-shipment inspection for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda certifying engine emissions, tire tread depth, braking efficiency, and road safety. Global Radiation Screening: Calibrated Geiger-Müller radiation screening performed on every exported vehicle, accompanied by an official zero-contamination certificate. Pre-Inspection Yard Rectifications: If any minor items (such as bulb replacements or wiper blades) require attention, our yard technicians resolve them on-site in Japan before inspection sign-off.

Question 4

What is the difference between FOB and CIF quotations, and which should I choose?

Accepted Answer

FOB and CIF are internationally recognized Incoterms defining the exact division of costs, logistics responsibilities, and maritime risk between buyer and seller. FOB (Free On Board): Covers the vehicle auction hammer price, Japanese domestic inland transport, auction house commissions, port staging storage, customs export clearance, MLIT deregistration, and port loading charges. You book and pay ocean freight directly. CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): Includes everything in FOB plus international ocean maritime freight to your chosen destination port and comprehensive marine transit insurance. Recommended Choice: Over 85% of our international dealership clients choose CIF because Onnesha Group leverages large-volume corporate freight agreements with shipping lines, providing cheaper freight rates and complete transit peace of mind.

Question 5

What payment methods, currencies, and terms are accepted for vehicle exports?

Accepted Answer

We accept payments through standard international banking channels with maximum anti-fraud transparency and corporate verification. Telegraphic Transfer (T/T): International bank wire transfer in USD, JPY, or EUR directly to Onnesha Group Co. Ltd. verified corporate accounts in Tokyo, Japan. Letter of Credit (L/C): Confirmed, Irrevocable Letters of Credit accepted from reputable commercial banks for markets where L/C trade is legally required (e.g., Bangladesh). Official Corporate Invoicing: Every order is accompanied by a formal Proforma Invoice displaying our Tokyo registered office address, Japanese Corporate Registration Number (Hojin-bango), and corporate SWIFT code. Anti-Fraud Guarantee: Onnesha Group never asks clients to remit payments to personal bank accounts, third-party agents, or unverified digital wallets.

Question 6

What are the estimated maritime transit times from Japanese export ports?

Accepted Answer

Ocean shipping transit times depend on destination port, vessel routing (direct vs. transshipment), and shipping line departure schedules from major Japanese ports (Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe). South Asia (Chattogram, Mongla, Hambantota, Colombo): Approximately 14 to 22 days. East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam): Approximately 25 to 35 days. Oceania (Auckland, Lyttelton, Sydney, Melbourne): Approximately 15 to 22 days. Caribbean (Kingston, Port of Spain, Georgetown): Approximately 35 to 45 days. Europe & Mediterranean (Limassol, Piraeus, Southampton): Approximately 28 to 38 days. Live Tracking: Upon vessel booking confirmation, our logistics desk provides the carrier name, vessel voyage number, and online tracking links for real-time vessel monitoring.

Question 7

What is the difference between Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) and Container shipping?

Accepted Answer

Both shipping methods are highly secure, but each offers distinct advantages depending on vehicle condition, consignment volume, and destination port facilities. Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): Vehicles are driven directly into multi-deck, fully enclosed vehicle carrier vessels. It is the most economical and standard shipping method for operable passenger cars, SUVs, and commercial trucks. Container Shipping (20ft / 40ft High Cube): Vehicles are carefully chocked, lashed, and sealed inside maritime steel containers (1 car in 20ft, or 2 to 4 cars in 40ft HC). When to Choose Container: Essential for rare vintage collector cars, non-running restoration projects, high-end exotics requiring maximum privacy, or mixed shipments containing automotive spare parts.

Question 8

Can I inspect vehicle condition, photos, and translated auction sheets before bidding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Full operational transparency is the core promise of Onnesha Group. We never place a bid without your explicit prior authorization of the vehicle condition report. Auction Sheet Translation: Complete translation of the Japanese auction inspection sheet, detailing overall auction grade (1 to 6, or S), exterior rating, interior grade, and inspector remarks. Damage Mapping Verification: We decode all auction sheet panel annotations (e.g., A1 scratches, U1 dents, W1 repair marks, or XX panel replacements). High-Resolution Photographs: Complete set of auction house exterior, interior, dashboard, and odometer photos. On-Site Physical Appraisals: For high-value units, our physical inspectors can attend the auction floor in person to verify cold start, oil leaks, transmission response, and underside corrosion.

Question 9

How do you ensure vehicles comply with destination country age restrictions and import regulations?

Accepted Answer

Import eligibility rules vary strictly by destination country. Our Tokyo trade desk validates every vehicle against destination regulatory criteria prior to auction bidding. Bangladesh: Passenger vehicles must be within 5 years from year of manufacture, with certified JAAI and radiation inspection certificates. Kenya: Maximum 8 years old from the exact month/year of first registration, with mandatory QISJ/JEVIC pre-inspection. Tanzania & Uganda: No strict age cutoff for personal imports, though older models incur graduated environmental dumping surcharges. Oceania (New Zealand & Australia): Vehicles must comply with specific frontal impact regulations, ESC stability systems, and strict biosecurity bio-wash standards. Chassis Verification: We check the Japanese chassis number against manufacturer production date databases to verify exact production month and year before placing bids.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Vehicle Export Procedures