Has Anyone Recently Imported a Newish Car from Japan - or Used The 12 Month Ownership Rule?

mshanann on 07/06/2022 - 12:08
Last edited 07/06/2022 - 14:27

I have been looking at toyota and suzuki's japanese websites https://toyota.jp/index.html https://www.suzuki.co.jp/car/ and some of the domestic cars sold in Japan that are not available in the Australian market.

In combination with above, I've been going through some of the listings for near-new versions of these cars on the https://carfromjapan.com website.

Has anyone on ozb had experience importing a vehicle from Japan that was relatively new in age? (and not some old classic)

Has anyone on ozb imported a car based on the 12 month prior ownership personal import scheme?

Was the import cost effective after all costs were taken in to consideration?

Some links of interest I have found on the subject - https://prestigemotorsport.com.au/faqs/importing-cars-to-aus…

Also given Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) - and that we don't actually manufacture cars here locally anymore, what is the reasoning about blocking us from importing foreign cars that match those sold locally here by 'dealers'?

Automotive Suzuki Toyota

Comments

  • Oz8argain on 07/06/2022 - 12:16
    +1

    what's your goal here? Are you looking to drive something different or are you looking to save money?
    Generally, are you looking for a specific car? you can speak to importers about bidding in auctions.

    • blitz on 07/06/2022 - 13:13

      Yep, these are important questions.

    • mshanann on 07/06/2022 - 14:08

      Mostly saving money - given the good exchange rate with Japan - and how the second hand car market in Australia is still at obscene prices.

      Some of the cheap city car style toyota hybrids look interesting - particularly if many of the consumable parts are compatible with what is sold in Australia. The Hilux GR also looks interesting.

      • Oz8argain on 07/06/2022 - 20:15
        +1

        for saving money you should really just buy locally. saves you all the headache and risk as well.

  • spackbace on 07/06/2022 - 12:23

    FYI if you go down this path, I've always heard good things about Iron Chef Imports

    • HerpinDerp on 07/06/2022 - 12:48

      As someone who has used them twice I would stay away.

      There is so much competition now. Also notice how one can't leave a review anywhere for ICI?

      • spackbace on 07/06/2022 - 12:54

        Ah ok, this was years back when it was mainly iron chef and prestige, and I wasn't impressed with the service from prestige

        • mapax on 07/06/2022 - 14:04

          Plot twist- Used car importers are still used car salesman…

          • MiniMad on 07/06/2022 - 15:36

            @mapax: They're not though, iron chef are brokers and take the same fee no matter what you buy. I've used them and j-spec on many occasions and the only problem I ever had was with the local compliance workshop once who left my car in a mess.

            I doubt you would have money even in the current market there are taxes you pay on taxes and many other costs but it you want a unique car then it's worth it.

            Also be aware insurance will be way higher for a grey import.

            Costs of parts and servicing is generally a non issue and anything can be sourced direct from Japan if needed and a lot of parts are shared with local cars regardless.

            • mshanann on 07/06/2022 - 15:56

              @MiniMad: Thanks for the insurance tip - didn't even think of that.

      • Thoughtuhadmyback on 05/08/2022 - 18:54

        Was there anything in particular that put you off? Ie. was it the service, responsiveness, car selected, photo quality etc? Thanks in advance.

  • MS Paint on 07/06/2022 - 12:26

    All well and good getting the car into Australia but if you need unique parts it can be a real pain*

    *so I've been told

  • Rescue 26 on 07/06/2022 - 13:11
    +3

    I've imported 6 or 7 cars under the 12 month ownership scheme. Not sure whether the rules have changed but when I did it you had to prove you owned the car AND used it for the full 12 months, ie your application had to show proof of rego and insurance, and your passport showed you were in the same location as the car - in my case Hong Kong - for the full 12 months. I did all the paperwork myself. You couldn't just fly overseas, buy a car and put it in storage, fly home and 12 months later import it.

    • mshanann on 07/06/2022 - 14:15

      With above, did you leave the country each time for the full year? Or have they tightened down on the rules since you did this?

      Just wondering whether the above can be exploited - for example, ex-pat living in Japan purchases car, files the paperwork to return home, then on-sells it to friend when 'returning' home (even if in reality just for a holiday)?

      • Rescue 26 on 07/06/2022 - 17:16
        +1

        I was living and working full time in Hong Kong for 10 years so leaving the country wasn't an issue. Wife and I would buy a nice car each, drive them for a year and export to Australia, to be sold by a car dealer. Lather, rinse, repeat. You don't need to be returning home to send the car and sell it. Not sure whether the rules have changed but what you propose used to be possible. One enterprising Aussie in HK used to buy cars in other Aussie expat's names, keep them for a year and export them to Australia under the name of the expat "owner", and sell them through a dealer in Oz. So if you can find a friendly expat in Japan…

  • Bid Sniper on 07/06/2022 - 13:47

    Wanted to import a classic Subaru, partically a GC8 or GF8 STI wagon. And a current Model Kia Proceed, all seem rather expensive to do. Aus market is really diverse in cars we have here.

    https://rover.infrastructure.gov.au/Produce/wizard/e6b9206d-…

    Oh Subaru S201 damn expensive snow plow
    https://carfromjapan.com/cheap-used-subaru-impreza-2000-for-…

  • Euphemistic on 07/06/2022 - 16:10

    My initial thought is don’t do it to save money. Somewhere along the process of ownership it will cost you more for something and you’ll end up not in front. Any possible saving will probably be eaten up in time and effort as well.

    If, on the other hand, you can’t get what you want locally, then it’s probably worth it.

  • nige0090 on 07/06/2022 - 17:06
    +1

    My experience is not recent, so please ignore if its of no value.

    When I did a personal import of a Subaru WRX from NZ to Aus about 10 years ago;
    - I saved about $15k compared to buying an equivalent car in Sydney.
    - Subaru Australia wouldn't service or provide parts, but my mechanic has no problem buying genuine Subaru parts via his suppliers.
    - Shannon's are happy to insure.
    On the downside, I expect to have problems whenever I decide to sell, since its an "import", unless I sell via one of the various JDM forums.

  • MelbEng on 07/06/2022 - 17:38
    +1

    It is far from a simple process. For a start you need approval from the Department of Transport. You would need an engineer to certify that the vehicle meets ADR requirements. Which may require modifications to the car and testing.

    • nige0090 on 07/06/2022 - 21:13

      Yes, it was not a simple process - blue, green & pink slips, steam cleaning & fumigation, modification to meet ADR etc.
      And transporting the vehicle between the various testing places.
      To avoid the stress, I paid an import agency to handle everything for me.
      I dropped the vehicle off to them in Wellington and picked it up a few weeks later in Sydney, complianced, registered and valeted.

  • mshanann on 07/06/2022 - 22:49

    Thanks everyone for all the input - seems quite a bit of work and not necessarily worth it for a cheap car :)

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