Multiple-Vehicle Transporters
Most cars will be transported on multiple-vehicle transporters. These typically carry 5 or 6 regular size vehicles on one truck. When cars are being brought to one of the major ports from a more remote location, they may be offloaded from one truck, driven onto a coastal ferry, and then loaded onto a different truck on arrival.
In order to use these trucks to transport your cars, they must be able to drive under their own power (and have working brakes), and they must not be oversized. Remember that Japanese cars tend to be smaller than some North American cars. If you are buying a limousine, or a larger US import vehicle, you may find that it cannot fit on the regular transporter.
Do also bear in mind that if your car is dripping oil, it will not be allowed on a ferry (if that is how it is to be transported), so we will then arrange for it to be patched up so that it can complete its journey to the port. That’s not a complete waste of money either, as the Ro-Ro ship rules are the same, so it would need to get sorted out anyway in order to be exported.
Single-vehicle transporters
If the car does not drive, or has some other serious issue that prevents it going on the regular car carrier, then we arrange a single-car carrier to transport it. Cars with very serious issues that prevent them from even rolling may need to be loaded and offloaded using a forklift.
Transporting your car on a single-vehicle transporter is more expensive than it would be if it could go on a multi-vehicle transporter. This is one of the reasons we recommend caution if you are considering buying ungraded cars.
Premium car transportation
If you are buying high-end (10 million JPY and above) vehicles, or if the type of vehicle (such as Ferrari) causes the regular logistics companies to be too nervous to handle it, then we arrange transportation with a specialist exotic car transportation company.
This company uses enclosed trucks and has drivers and other staff who are trained to deal with with expensive and unusual vehicles. You can be assured that your purchases will be getting the specialist service they need.
Driving the car to the port
Some cars, such as oversized US import models, are too large to fit on the regular Japanese car transporter. So how do we get these cars from the Japanese car auctions to the ports for shipping?
Well, if the car is in mechanically sound condition, then the best solution is to have the logistics company drive it. We will receive a quote for the transportation and then add a fuel surcharge to this to cover fuel costs. We then bill this to you as a single charge.
Our goal: Getting your cars to you ASAP
We always work with our logistics partners and connections to find the quickest and best-value transportation option. After all, the quicker we get your cars to you, the quicker you can sell them, then come back and buy more!
Please bear in mind that the busiest time of year for Japan’s car auctions is Spring. During this time, it may take a bit longer than usual to get some of your cars to the port. However, that doesn't mean we are being slow. We are always doing our best to get your cars out on the earliest possible ship.
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!
