Category: General News

Between June 2019 to February 2020 the Aussie dollar ranged in value between 70 to 75 Yen. As fears of the Covid-19 pandemic reverberated around the world there was a rapid decline in the exchange rate, with the AUD plummeting from 74 to 63 JPY (almost 15%) between 24 February and 19 March 2020. However, thanks to quick action by the Australian Govt. to control the spread of the virus and many bus...

Leaf 62kWh import for an as new 2019 model e+X or e+G now costs substantially less than the Nissan Australia new price for the lower power / range 40kWh model. So how much cheaper is it to import a 62kWh Leaf from Japan compared to the Australian new price for a 40kWh model, and what’s the difference ? Let’s compare the prices and options. Below is the Nissan Leaf 40kWh ‘driveaw...

With full compliance estimated to be just 3 to 4 weeks away for Subaru Forester STi import to Australia, we are now taking orders ! Forester STi import has been one of the most common requests we have received for any model over the years and now it is finally possible. The Forester was only sold in STi specification for the Japanese domestic market. It was produced in relatively limited numbers...

Golden Week is a group of annual Japanese public holidays starting at the end of April and running into the first week of May. This year Saturday 25th April will be the last auction day with auctions recommencing on Thursday 7th May 2020. Most Japanese export agents will be fully closed during this period, and our office will also be closed for a break. Our automated auction alerts system will ...

We keep being asked about what’s going on at the Japan car auctions, are prices cheaper ? Is it a good time to buy ? YES, overall it is a GREAT time to buy if you have cash available. It is after all, about as strong as a buyer’s market gets, and we’ve not seen a situation like this since the GFC 11 years ago – way before Japanese cars jumped in value. So if you thought pri...

This rare 2007 Honda Civic Mugen RR with 18,270 km was auctioned in Tokyo on 9 April 2020. 1 of only 300 Mugen RR’s made for the Japanese market, all exclusively in Milano Red. Auction grade 4.5 B. VIN: FD2-1203437. This rare 2007 Honda Civic Mugen RR sold for over 11,000,000 Yen FOB, or about $220,000 landed and complied in Australia, plus on road costs (@ 67.5 Yen to the dollar). Try o...

Import Honda Civic Type R FD2 to Australia – just added to the list of approved models under transitional SEVS arrangements on 2 April 2020. The ruling covers the October 2006 to December 2011 Honda Civic Type R FD2 4 door sedan. Browse the last 3 months of Honda Civic Type R FD2 auction sales in Japan Free trial our auction alerts system for the Honda Civic Type R FD2 View example Honda C...

Latest Update – NOW TAKING ORDERS – Subaru Forester STi import Subaru Forester turbo models were added to the list of approved models under transitional SEVS arrangements on 2 April 2020. The ruling covers the October 2002 to December 2007 range of Subaru Forester SG9 STi 2.5L turbo as well as the 2.0L turbo Cross Sports and XT models with automatic and manual transmission. Browse the l...

The latest list of approved models under transitional SEVS arrangements is now available. These are models NEVER BEFORE eligible for import to Australia and include hybrid / electric vehicles as well as significantly different versions of locally sold models. NOTE:  Inclusion in this list is just the first step to importing one of these vehicles – a compliance package must then be approved...

Understandably we have been receiving a large number of enquiries about this topic in recent weeks. Here are some answers to typical concerns. Should I still import a car ? Well, that depends on your personal circumstances and whether anything has changed for you: – do you still want a car ? – do you have cash ? Providing you have secure employment which will remain unaffected by the c...

If you’re thinking of importing a Supra under the 25 Year Rule (March 1995 and older are OK at the time of this post), just note that a Supra widebody like this modified example today may not be eligible for import – based on major body modifications. Read more about allowed modifications under the 25 Year Rule here This 1993 Toyota Supra with 120,021 km, Supra widebody kit and other m...

This 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR in TV2 Bayside Blue with 163,575 km and NISMO S1 engine fitted by Omori Factory (serial number #122) was auctioned at USS Tokyo in Japan on 27 February 2020. It sold for 6,860,000 JPY, which at the time would have been equivalent to approx. $130,000 AUD complied (including LCT and calculated @72.5 Yen to the dollar), plus on road costs. Grade 3.5 B. BNR34-001428...

It is a good time to buy a collector car if you are fortunate to have cash on hand. Consumer confidence has taken a big hit in recent weeks as panic selling grips stock markets thanks to global concerns over the spread of the corona virus and the resulting financial impact on businesses affected by measures implemented in China and other countries to minimise its spread. The Japanese auctions are ...

If you have always wanted to import a 1997 to 2000 classic Honda Civic Type R EK9 to Australia then you’re in luck ! It is now technically possible to import the Honda Civic Type R EK9 as this model was approved by the Govt. on 10 Feb 2020 under new import regulations. Yes, the Honda Civic Type R FD2 will also be eligible for import soon (application pending approval) and the Honda Acco...

This 2002 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR VSPEC2 in Bayside Blue with 5,721 original km was auctioned at USS Tokyo on 13 February 2020 and sold for a phenomenal price… 20,395,000 JPY. Factoring in all costs, that would be equivalent to an eye-watering $394,000 AUD complied (including LCT and calculated @74 Yen to the dollar), plus on road costs. Grade 5 A. BNR34-402867. VSPEC2 #1541/1855. Low km c...

More models added 26 March 2020 – latest update here Things are finally moving ! – A new list has just been published showing the first vehicle models to be approved by the Australian Govt. under transitional SEVS arrangements. These are models NEVER BEFORE eligible for import to Australia and include hybrid / electric vehicles as well as significantly different versions of locally sol...

Looking for a classic car under the new 25 Year Rule, perhaps something like this 1992 Lancia Delta Integrale Collezione 4WD auctioned in Tokyo on 21 November 2019 ? Good News ! We can source it for you from Japan. Vehicles are inspected in person just for you on auction day – we check running condition as well as inside, outside and underneath – with more pictures provided and detai...

Looking for a quirky 600cc kei car like this cute 1997 Mazda Autozam Carol that looks like a Bentley compact ? Good News ! Any kei car is now possible to import to Australia – right up to new models currently on sale in Japan – under the new import regulations. The only conditions are that the same model was not sold new in Australia and the Micro-car (kei-class car) criteria are met...

Toyota Estima Hybrid Import to Australia is now possible with SEVS compliance available in several States for the full build range of Estima 2.4L hybrid. The hybrid Estima is easily identified in searches by using the chassis code AHR20 / AHR20W and is also known as the Toyota Tarago in Australia, and the Toyota Previa in other markets. 7 and 8 seat versions are available and popular factory optio...

The 2013 to current Mazda 3 Hybrid 2.0L – known as the Mazda Axela hybrid in Japan – will be eligible for import in 2020. Compliance is currently in progress, so we expect import to be possible in coming months. Prices will start from $16,000 complied in Australia (plus on road costs), based on current market pricing in Japan, and will become even better value as time goes on. The Maz...

Guidelines are now available setting out how SEVS will work (for the import of vehicles NEWER than 25 years) while we transition from the old (MVSA) to the new (RVS) vehicle import regulations. Transition period 10 Dec 2019 –> 1 July 2021. Main points: – creation of separate online registers for vehicles approved (and denied) under the new RVS criteria – how to apply for a mod...

2021 UPDATE – From 1 July 2021 import approvals under the 25 Year Rule are handled by the new ROVER system. In December 2019 the Aust Govt. provided a 25 Year Rule Vehicle Import – Guidance (PDF) setting out how the new 25 Year Rule would operate under interim arrangements, the type of vehicles that can be imported under this option, and how to apply for an Import Approval. The new ...

The 2019+ 62kW Leaf will be eligible for import to Australia from 10 December 2019 under new import regulations. This 62kW Leaf e+ AUTECH in AUTECH blue was auctioned in Japan on 23 November 2019, for the equivalent of approx. $60,800 complied plus on road costs. 3,191km . Grade 5 A (as new). Factory AUTECH version. View more pics for this Nissan Leaf 62kW e+ AUTECH ...

This rare 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6.5 TME in red was inspected for a client in November 2019. 69,047 km with service records. Grade 4.5 B. Original factory sticker package. View full inspection pics for this 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6.5 TME in red At the time of this post, EVO 6 TME prices were generally on the rise with clean and original examples selling for between $35,000 to $60,000 c...

We’re in a very interesting time in automotive history with the most rapid technological advances occurring since the original invention of the motor car. A wide range of different hybrid and electric solutions are being trialed in real world markets, but there is still a long way to go particularly when it comes to battery technology. Development of the Garrett e-turbo for hybrid vehicles i...

Changes to marine fuel regulations will increase the cost of all shipping – including shipping vehicles from Japan to Australia – from the 1st January 2020. This is expected to increase the shipping cost by about $150 AUD per vehicle. Below details are provided courtesy of Dolphin Shipping and the International Marine Organisation (IMO). The IMO is implementing a new regulation (IMO20...

Please note that the information below was current at the time of posting. Regulations may change over time so please check directly for the latest requirements with the registration authority in your State or Territory. With the new 25 Year Rule for car imports to Australia comes the next issue – what about left hand drive car registration in Australia ? Well, this is handled differently b...

Some important points to bear in mind when selecting vehicles to import under the new 25 Year Rule for car imports to Australia which STARTS on 10 Dec 2019: – Prices are rising fast on all classic vehicles The USA has their own 25 Year Rule which allows the import of RHD vehicles. Unlike Australia, American buyers have no reference point for pricing of Japanese imports so are prepared to sp...

Just confirmed – the new 25 Year Rule for car imports to Australia WILL START on 10 December 2019. Quick summary from today’s official update received today from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development: – The 25 Year Rule will start on 10 December 2019 (applications for import approval won’t be accepted before this date) – Vehicle...

Looking for import car insurance ? Companies that handle import car insurance can be a little hard to find, particularly if the model is unusual. There are a number of choices for import car insurance depending on your location in Australia, including NRMA (NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS), SGIC (SA), SGIO (WA) and Shannons (Australia-wide). View current list of companies for import car insurance...