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Whether you are in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia, the steps that you need to follow in Japan are the same:
First, locate a competent used car exporter in Japan. This exporter will provide you with photographs of the car. After reviewing the photographs and grading (A-E), with A being the highest, you submit an offer for your chosen car. The exporter will then issue you a pro-forma invoice. This may be by pdf (email) or by fax. After agreeing on the purchase price, by returning the signed pro-forma invoice, next comes the slightly tricky part.
Most exporters are reluctant to export the car until they have received full payment for the car. With a letter of credit, however, you can avoid the anxiety that comes with making full payment before the car is shipped. The drawback with the letter of credit method is that you have to wait until it clears before the car can be imported.
The Japanese are fairly trustworthy and in my dealings (five cars imported) I have never used the letter of credit method and have had no problems. Nevertheless, this is something you have to consider for yourself.
Once payment is made on the invoice, whether by direct wire transfer or letter of credit, the exporter will ship your car. On doing this, the exporter will obtain a F.OB. (Free on Board). This, along with all relevant documents will then be sent to you by courier.
These steps are the basic overview of the process.
For more information and tips on how to import a car from Japan please visit my blog: http://how-to-import-a-car-from-japan.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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