How Importing works with us.
Importing a car from Japan can be daunting and obscure. Here's a breakdown of the steps on the import journey with C6 Imports
Consultation
We work with you to understand what you actually want, how hands-on you want to be with the landed process, and what it realistically costs landed in the UK.
There is where we want to get into the specifics of what you're after. Basics are make, model and budget. If you're thinking about auctions then what grades and what are the must-haves. If it's a Nissan Silvia, does it need to be a K's model? How do you feel about modifications? Are you looking for something that can have it's mileage verified? All of this is discussed ahead of the search to ensure our team are finding the best car for you, and perhaps some alternatives. This also helps us determine the most accurate estimated cost landed.
Sourcing
We watch the Japanese auctions and dealer stock daily, and send you only the cars worth your attention.
Japanese vehicle auctions run throughout the week across multiple houses, with tens of thousands of cars passing through. Volume is not the problem — filtering is. Anyone can send you a list of everything matching a keyword. We search against the brief agreed at consultation, and send a shortlist as genuine candidates appear. Each one comes with the listing, the photographs and our initial read on whether it's worth going further. All of our Auction sheets will be accompanied with an English Translation
Bid Authorisation
You set the maximum. Nothing is bid without your written authorisation. NOTE: Your deposit is due here for us to bid/purchase on your behalf
Once you're happy with a car, you confirm your maximum bid in writing. That figure is a ceiling, not a target — we bid to win at the lowest price the floor allows, and we never go above it. Our buying agent in Japan places the bid live on the auction floor or sets up the deal with a dealer/private seller.
Purchase & Export
We settle with the seller and handle deregistration, inspection and export documentation.
Winning is the start of the paperwork, not the end of it. The vehicle is paid for, collected, and transported to our facility. It is deregistered in Japan, the export certificate is issued, and any required pre-shipment inspection is completed.
Shipping
Your car sails RoRo from Japan to a UK port, fully insured, with the schedule shared as soon as it's booked.
We ship roll-on roll-off, which means the vehicle is driven onto a dedicated car carrier rather than sealed in a container. It's the standard method for vehicle imports and generally the most cost-effective. Once the booking is confirmed you'll have the vessel name, the sailing date and the expected arrival window. Marine insurance is included as standard rather than sold as an extra, because a vehicle crossing the world uninsured isn't a risk worth taking to save a small amount.
UK Arrival & Customs Clearance
On arrival we clear the vehicle through customs and settle duty and VAT on your behalf.
When the vessel docks, the vehicle is discharged and held at the port pending clearance. We handle the customs entry, calculate what's owed and settle it so the car can be released. What's owed depends on the vehicle. Under the UK–Japan agreement, cars of Japanese origin with a valid statement of origin can qualify for 0% duty. Vehicles over 30 years old attract 0% duty and a reduced 5% VAT rate. Where neither applies, standard rates are charged. We'll have told you which case applies before you committed — this stage holds no surprises.
Compliance & Registration
NOVA, testing, DVLA registration and UK plates — handled end to end on our Road Ready service.
An imported vehicle isn't road legal until it's been notified, tested and registered. NOVA notification must be filed with HMRC within 14 days of arrival. Depending on age and specification the car will then need either an IVA test or an MOT, and any required modifications such as lighting. With paperwork and testing complete, we submit the DVLA registration application and fit UK plates once the number is issued.
Handover
The car arrives road-legal, prepared, and with the full documented story of how it got here.
The vehicle is cleaned and prepared, then delivered to you or collected in person — whichever you prefer. You'll receive the full document pack: export certificate, translated auction sheet, customs paperwork, test certificate and V5C. Every C6 import is also properly documented. We film and photograph the arrival, the prep and the handover, shot to the same standard we'd apply to any client commission. You end up with the car and a record of its journey, rather than just a set of receipts.
Start with a conversation
No deposit, no obligation. Tell us the car you're after and we'll tell you honestly what it costs to land in the UK — and whether it's the right one to chase.
Book a consultation