Category: General News

This seems to be dragging on doesn’t it ? Here’s the latest on the new import regulations which are set to apply from 10 December 2019. 10 days ago we requested an update from the Govt. – today we received the reply which you can read in full below. But first, bear in mind that the Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 that was passed into law last year deals only with top level ma...

This 1994 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R VSPEC 2 with just 41,500 km was sold at USS Tokyo auction today. Collector GTR’s are still out there but are now fetching some serious money. The sold price for this one was equivalent to approx. $110,000 complied in Australia (@ 77.5 Yen to the dollar), plus tyres and on road costs. BNR32-312209 (V-Spec II #918/1306). Grade 4.5 B, August 1994 build, KL0 ...

This 2002 R34 GT-R VSPEC 2 NUR with just 17,160 km was auctioned at USS Tokyo today, but passed in – unsold. The passed in price was equivalent to over $307,000 complied in Australia, yet this was still not enough for the seller to let it go. BNR34-402931 (Nür #34/1003; V-Spec II Nür #25/718). Grade 5 A, it was in as new condition. ...

OK, the date is set. The Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 received Royal Assent on 10 Dec 2018. There is now a 12 month transition period to allow businesses to adjust and new management structures to be put in place. This Bill forms the skeleton of the new laws. The important detail on actual operation will be in the Regulations which have not yet been released. We will update again once this hap...

The new vehicle import regulations we have all been waiting for were finally passed by the Aust. Govt. yesterday… after 5 long years. At last, Australian consumers will have a greater choice of vehicles at lower prices including low emissions options What happens next ? There is a 12 month period before the new regulations will apply. The old scheme will be phased out over the next 2 years. ...

The original. 1972 GT-R KPGC10. This RARE and CLASSIC 1972 Nissan Skyline KPGC10 GTR was sold at USS Tokyo auction in Japan on 22 November 2018 for over 13,700,000 YEN FOB. Unknown total km and colour change to red. This model had very limited production numbers so prices have been rising fast in recent years just like any other collectible car. ...

Japan Import Car Factory Recall – how to check if your imported Japanese car has any outstanding factory recalls. You can use the Japanese manufacturer recall pages below to check whether your Japan import car is affected by any factory recall including the very serious Takata airbag recall. If you own a Japanese car that was imported secondhand, the factory recall check pages for your count...

Compliance is now available for the Toyota Harrier hybrid (AVU65W) from January 2013 right up to current models. The Toyota Harrier is a mid-sized SUV crossover with the 2AR-FXE 2.5L hybrid power plant producing 267kW. 2013 to current Toyota Harrier Hybrid (AVU65W) – More Import Information Secondhand import is possible for any Harrier hybrid built from January 2013 onward.  With 250+ Toyo...

We can now import Nissan Leaf 5-door hatches, with compliance available in several States. Secondhand Nissan Leaf import is possible for the 1st generation models (build dates between June 2013 to Sept 2017), with 2nd generation models available (from Sept 2017 right up to whatever date Nissan Australia starts selling them) under revised import regulations starting 10 December 2019. The all-ele...

The Nissan Pulsar GTiR 4WD 2L turbo is a model that has been overshadowed until recently by it’s bigger brother the GT-R. However this is changing now they are eligible for import to the USA based on age (25 Year Rule for right hand drive vehicles) together with increasing worldwide demand for JDM classics. This 1994 Nissan Pulsar GTiR was one of the best examples we’ve seen in the las...

Looks good on the surface, but take a closer look at the condition a $22K landed AE86 will REALLY be in, this one was auctioned this morning. This classic 1985 Toyota Corolla Levin GT APEX 3 door coupe with 217,366 km was inspected for a client at USS Nagoya auction on 24 August 2018. View full inspection pictures for this 1985 Toyota Corolla Levin GT APEX This AE86 was a colour change from red...

Based on the scare in Feb 2018 with Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) found in some shipments of used vehicles from Japan, there will be additional quarantine measures put in place for vehicle shipments from the 1 September 2018 to 30 of April 2019. Australian bio-security will also have heightened surveillance for Roll on Roll off vessels bound for Australia. This means all vessels departing J...

This 2002 R34 GTR MSpec Silica Breath (EY0) with just 5,570 km has been offered to us by Craft Sports in Japan – a dedicated GTR specialist dealer and official partner of Nissan NISMO. Rare to find in Silica Breath – only 122 MSpecs were made in this colour (and 9 MSpec NUR’s). Craft Sports tell us this is a “fabulous example sourced directly from the Japanese owner”...

This extremely clean 1999 R34 GTR VSpec MP2 with just 47,772 km sold yesterday for what would be close to $160,000 on road in Aust.- that’s about $50K more than a comparable VSpec in white or black at the moment. It’s also more than some low km blue VSpec 2’s in recent months, and more even than VSpec 2 NUR’s were selling for last year. With worldwide demand rapidly incr...

This 2001 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T turbo with 5 speed manual transmission and only 62,240 km was auctioned in Japan in July 2018. VIN: ER34-202106. TV2 Bayside blue. Auction grade 4.5 B. Factory Xenon headlights and sunroof. This low km 2001 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T turbo sold for 2.83 million Yen FOB, approx. $43,400 complied, plus tyres and on road costs (at 82 Yen to the dollar). These are now...

This 1992 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR with only 14,865 km was inspected for a client in July 2018. VIN: BNR32-219615. Auction grade 4.5 B. Non smoking car in very nice condition other than the door trim coming loose. This very low km 1992 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR sold for 5.35 million Yen FOB, approx. $77,400 complied, plus tyres and on road costs (at 82 Yen to the dollar). Interestingly – the s...

Well, there was a little more to it than that (but not much). View full pictures for this 2016 Alphard Hybrid Executive Lounge We inspected this 2016 Toyota Alphard HYBRID Executive Lounge 4WD 2.5L people mover with 26,777 kms and JBL sound system at auction in Japan, in July 2018. Luxury features included radar cruise control with collision prevention, full cameras, dual powerslide doors, power t...

2021 UPDATE – Sorry, we are no longer taking orders for the R35 GTR as the prices are now too high in Japan for viable import. For those wondering what a MODIFIED R35 GTR will cost (under new 2019 import regulations that will likely allow import of the 2007 to 2009 R35 GTR), take a look at this 2008 R35 GTR which sold on 27 April 2018 at USS Nagoya auction in Japan. Among other expensive bra...

The USA market has been hot for any early 90’s Japanese vehicles since their 25 Year Rule first started allowing the unrestricted import of RHD vehicles several years ago. This has combined with worldwide demand that is recognising the historic value of these models, and appeal that has never waned for driver’s across 3 generations now. As a result we are seeing some amazing prices pai...

The Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold on imported cars has been raised on regular cars for the 2018 / 19 financial year – but oddly NOT for fuel-efficient vehicles. In fact, the LCT threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles has only been lifted $526 between 2010 to 2018 as can be seen in the following table. The threshold for all other vehicles has been lifted by $9,151 over the same period, with t...

The VSpec 2 is leading the way on R34 GTR prices, particularly the rarer NUR models. This 2001 R34 GTR VSpec 2 (#929 / 1855) in Bayside Blue had only 19,113 km. It sold at USS Tokyo auction on 28 June 2018 for close to 8.8 million Yen FOB or approx. $142,000 complied in Australia, plus tyres and ORC’s (@81 Yen to the dollar and allowing for LCT). Oddly it was graded down to 4 C despite the...

Here’s one for the Mazda Collectors out there. Pristine 2001 Mazda RX-7 Type RS with just 5,793 km. Grade 4.5 A. VIN: FD3S-601512. Enthusiasts love low km, as can be seen by the sale price on this vehicle on 28 June 2018 at USS Tokyo auction in Japan. It sold for around the 5 million Yen FOB mark, which would be approx. $73,000 complied, plus tyres and ORC’s (@81 Yen to the dollar). R...

MR-2 import prices are heading rapidly upwards (like all other classic Japanese turbo cars up to the early 2000’s). This is one of the models we receive enquiries for every week so demand is strong. They will become eligible for import to Australia by mid to late 2019 under import regulation changes currently in progress. You need only look at recent auction prices of low km AW11 models to s...

What does a low km 2000 R34 GTR VSpec in bayside blue cost ? Basically, more every time one comes up for auction. View the full auction inspection pics and details for this 50,587 km 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR VSpec in blue which sold today for 7.65 million Yen FOB or approx. $121,800 complied. Very few quality GTR’s are left in Japan now. Despite what’s still on offer for auction e...

We are asked on a daily basis when the vehicle import regulation changes will kick in. New legislation has been proposed now for about 4 years ! Everyone is waiting for a refresh of the existing import regulations for Australia which are becoming somewhat stale and uninspiring – considering the reduced availability and rapidly rising costs of most of the desirable models out of Japan that ...

Like all other classic Japanese models, the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 5 has jumped in price in recent years as collectors target the best, low km examples and supply has dwindled in Japan. You can use the Auctions page of our website to research the price and availability of any model. This provides a sense of how few good cars are actually left when you look closely at the condition of what’s o...

Shipping lines have implemented an “emergency bunker surcharge” this month in response to a rapid surge in fuel prices. According to a local customer advisory issued by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) last week, fuel prices have risen by over 30% this year and almost 70% since last June, with the cost in Europe exceeding US$442 per metric tonne. “With crude oil today hoverin...

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 the dates are Sat April 28 to Fri May 4 2018. Most vehicle auctions will be closed during this period. Our automated auction alerts system will continue to run and send emails for any vehicles at auctions that are still operating (only a few small auctions), ho...

Only 23 submissions were made to the Committee reviewing the draft legislation for vehicle import regulation changes; 20 from affected businesses and industry bodies including 1 submission from the Govt. itself. Leaving just 3 submissions from individuals. With this level of apathy from Aust consumers it’s no wonder that Govt. and big business have gotten away with unfairly restricting our i...

The Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 and related bills have been referred by the Australian Senate to a Committee for enquiry and report back to the Govt. by 7 May 2018. The following is reproduced from an email received on 3 April 2018. Closing date for submissions if you wish to have your say, is 17 April 2018. Inquiry into the Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018 and related bills On 28 March 201...