Storage yards at the port
Cars and other vehicles getting ready to be exported from Japan are stored temporarily in yards at the port. These resemble very large parking lots, but have security and only authorised personnel are permitted to enter.
This is where most of the vehicles that we buy from the Japanese car auctions are kept for a short period of time before they are shipped out of Japan. (Remember our goal is always to get them out to you as quickly as possible so you can sell them, then come back and buy more.)
These yards are usually surrounded by fences and gates, as well as be monitored with security cameras.
Enclosed storage for high-value and exotic cars
High-value vehicles are not exported using Ro-Ro shipping. Instead, we ship them out using container shipping, or even fly them out as airfreight. Prior to shipping, they are kept in highly secure enclosed warehouse locations run by companies that specialise in the transportation of exotic cars and race cars. The fact that they are kept in controlled warehouse conditions means that they are protected both from the weather and from prying eyes.
While in storage, high-value and exotic vehicles will be insured, but this will be an additional charge on a per-day basis over and above our usual charges. This insurance is part of the storage package.
Extended storage option
Some countries, like the United States of America and Canada, have age restrictions on vehicle imports which either make it impossible or difficult to import vehicles which are younger than a certain age.
As a result, there can be fierce competition at the car auctions for vehicles which are about to become eligible for importing.
If the vehicles you want is valuable enough, we can purchase vehicles for you which are currently too young, then hold them for you in our extended storage area until they are old enough to be shipped.
Of course, we can time the shipping to make sure that the vehicles arrive just as they are becoming old enough, meaning they leave Japan they are still too young. We know you want to get them as quickly as possible so you can sell them on while the market is hot.
Extended storage costs 10,000 JPY per month. Please note carefully that you must tell us that you want your car to be stored for a while at the time of purchase.
The only thing you need to bear in mind if you ask us to do this for your cars is that they will be stored and will not be started or moved during a whole storage period. A car which is running and driving the start of the storage period may well deteriorate over a period of many months to the point where it cannot start or move when it comes to be shipped. This kind of deterioration can result in extra transportation charges to move the car to the mechanic, or also could result in the car being unable to be loaded on the Ro-Ro ship without repair work being done.
So, there are advantages in our extended storage option, but you do need to make sure you take these risks into account as well. It is up to you to make the decision whether you think it will be worth it.
We find that the most successful importers really understand how it all works - from the auction to the ship and beyond. Don't get left behind!
