Section 01
Why Japan is the World's Best Source
For over four decades, Japan has been the undisputed global hub for high-quality used vehicles and heavy machinery. A unique combination of strict regulation, cultural respect for maintenance, and an enormous domestic fleet produces a constant flow of exceptional units, many with full service history, low mileage, and pristine bodies, moving through wholesale auctions every week.
- Shaken (車検) system. Mandatory inspections every 2 years make poorly maintained cars uneconomical to keep, pushing them to auction in excellent shape.
- Low average mileage. Japanese owners drive ~9,000 km/year, half the global average.
- Right and left-hand drive. JDM RHD plus a strong supply of LHD machinery for the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
- Transparent grading. Independent auction inspectors grade every car (R, RA, 0–6) with a published auction sheet.
- Mature export ecosystem. Yokohama, Kawasaki, Nagoya, Kobe and Moji ports run weekly RoRo and container sailings to every continent.
- Yen-denominated pricing. Favorable JPY exchange rates often deliver 20–40% savings vs. local markets.
Section 02
Major Japanese Auction Houses
There are over 200 auction venues in Japan, organised into a handful of major networks. IR Nippon is bid-enabled across all of them. The table below shows the largest houses and what they specialise in.
Weekly schedule
What runs, where, when.
Monday
- USS Kobe
- USS Okayama
Tuesday
- USS Nagoya
- USS Sapporo
- USS Hiroshima
- TAA Kyushu
- HAA Tokyo (Funabashi)
- JU Saitama
Wednesday
- USS Yokohama
- USS Kyushu (Fukuoka)
- USS Tohoku (Sendai)
- USS Hokuriku
- USS Shikoku
- TAA Hokkaido (Chitose)
- TAA Chubu (Nagoya)
Thursday
- USS Tokyo (Yoshimi)
- USS Gunma
- TAA Yokohama
- HAA Kobe
Friday
- USS Osaka
- USS Shizuoka
- TAA Kinki (Osaka)
- TAA Tohoku (Sendai)
- JU Tokyo
- JU Chiba
- JU Hokkaido
Saturday
- USS Niigata
- JU Aichi
- JU Fukuoka
- HERO Saitama
- IAA Chiba
Online · always
- AUCNET HQ, Tokyo
USS, ユー・エス・エス
Largest network. ~55,000 lots a week, every grade.
TAA, Toyota Auto Auction
Toyota / Lexus lease returns. Low km, full books.
HAA, Honda Auto Auction
Honda single-marque. Civic, Fit, Vezel, CR-V.
JU, Dealer co-op (regional)
Prefecture-level co-ops. Kei cars, light commercials.
AUCNET, Online catalogue
Pre-inspected, online-only. Strictest grading.
HERO · IAA, Heavy machinery
Excavators, dumps, cranes, agricultural equipment.
Locations are city-level approximations. Sale days reflect each network's regular weekly cadence; some venues run additional special sales.
| Auction Group | Venues | Weekly Volume | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS | 19 (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe…) | ~55,000 | Largest network, all categories, premium grading |
| AUCNET | Online satellite (nationwide) | ~12,000 | Pre-inspected, online-only, very strict grading |
| JU (JU Group) | 40+ regional | ~30,000 | Dealer co-ops, strong regional supply, kei cars |
| TAA (Toyota Auto Auction) | 7 (Yokohama, Kyushu, Kinki…) | ~18,000 | Toyota / Lexus lease returns, low mileage |
| Honda Auto Auction (HAA) | 2 (Kobe, Tokyo) | ~6,000 | Honda lease returns, exceptional condition |
| NAA (Nissan) | 4 | ~7,000 | Nissan, Infiniti, commercial vans |
| CAA (Chubu) | 3 | ~9,000 | Sedans, SUVs, balanced inventory |
| BAYAUC / ARAI | 2 | ~4,000 | Sports, JDM classics, performance cars |
| HERO / IAA | Specialised | ~2,500 | Heavy machinery, trucks, construction equipment |
| ZIP / SAA | Regional | ~5,000 | Commercial fleet, agricultural machinery |
Insider tip: USS Tokyo (Thursday) and USS Nagoya (Tuesday) are the highest-volume auctions in the country. For Land Cruisers and Hiace, also watch CAA Chubu and TAA Kinki.
Section 03
How Japanese Auctions Actually Work
Japanese auctions are wholesale, dealer-only marketplaces. You cannot bid as a foreign individual, you must work through a licensed Japanese exporter such as IR Nippon who holds a bidding membership and posts a refundable deposit with each auction house.
The mechanics
- Consignment. Dealers, leasing companies and individuals consign vehicles to the auction house up to 7 days before the sale.
- Inspection & grading. An independent auction inspector evaluates the unit: exterior (A–E), interior (A–E), mechanical, mileage authenticity, accident history, and writes the famous "auction sheet" (オークションシート).
- Catalogue release. 24–48 hours before sale, the catalogue with photos, grade and inspector notes is published to bidders.
- Live bidding. Cars pass through the lane on a conveyor in front of live bidders, with simultaneous online bidding. Each lot takes ~10 seconds.
- Hammer & invoice. Sold lots are invoiced to the bidder's account that evening; payment is due within 2–4 business days.
- Pickup window. Sold vehicles must be collected from the venue within 7 days, or storage fees apply.
Understanding the auction sheet
The grade is the single most important number on the sheet.
| Grade | Meaning | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| S / 6 | New, under 10,000 km | Showroom resale |
| 5 | Excellent, near-new | Premium resale |
| 4.5 / 4 | Very good, minor wear | Recommended export grade |
| 3.5 / 3 | Average, repaired panels possible | Budget export, fleet |
| 2 | Poor condition, heavy wear | Parts or rebuild |
| R / RA | Repaired accident history (R = structural, RA = light) | Buy only with inspection |
| 0 | Heavy accident / flood / fire | Avoid for export |
Section 04
Step-by-Step Buying Process
From your first inquiry to the container arriving at your port, here is the complete journey.
Open your buyer account
Register with IR Nippon. We collect your KYC, target categories, budget and destination port. No deposit required to start.
Post a refundable deposit
Typically USD 1,000–3,000 to enable bidding. Refunded or applied to your first purchase.
Select target lots
We send daily catalogues filtered to your spec. You shortlist; we translate the auction sheet, verify the photos and recommend a max bid.
Pre-bid inspection (optional)
On lots above your threshold, our staff travel to the yard to physically inspect engine, undercarriage and paint thickness.
Live bidding
We bid on your behalf at the auction. Win → invoice the same day; lose → no fees, move to next lot.
Payment & ownership transfer
You wire the vehicle total + Japan-side fees within 3 business days. We pay the auction and transfer ownership.
Transport to port
Vehicle moves from auction yard to the export yard at Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe or Moji within 5–10 days.
Pre-shipment inspection
Mandatory JEVIC / JAAI inspection for many destinations (UAE, Kenya, Tanzania, etc.). We arrange it.
Loading & sailing
RoRo for single units, container (1–4 cars per 40HC) for bundled orders. ETD confirmed and B/L issued.
Arrival & clearance
We send original documents, you clear customs at your end. IR Nippon can recommend trusted clearing agents in each destination.
Section 05
Required Documents & Licenses
Document requirements split into two groups: what you provide to IR Nippon, and what IR Nippon delivers to you for customs clearance. Requirements vary by destination, the table below covers the most common cases.
What you provide
| Document | Individual buyer | Company buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy | Required | Required (director) |
| Proof of address (utility bill, < 3 months) | Required | — |
| Trade license / Commercial registration | — | Required |
| Tax / VAT number | If applicable | Required |
| Import license (UAE, KSA, EU, etc.) | Where mandatory | Where mandatory |
| Bank reference letter | For credit terms only | For credit terms only |
| Destination port & consignee details | Required | Required |
What IR Nippon delivers with every shipment
- Original Export Certificate (抹消謄本) with English translation
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of Lading (Sea Waybill or original B/L)
- Original auction sheet + English translation
- Pre-shipment inspection certificate (JEVIC / JAAI / EAA where required)
- Insurance certificate (when CIF terms are chosen)
Section 06
Auction Calendar & Locations
Auctions run six days a week across Japan. Below is the typical weekly rhythm of the largest venues. Schedules shift around national holidays — IR Nippon clients receive a real-time calendar.
| Day | Major auctions running |
|---|---|
| Monday | JU Tokyo, HAA Kobe, USS Sapporo |
| Tuesday | USS Nagoya, USS Yokohama, TAA Yokohama, ARAI Bayside |
| Wednesday | USS Osaka, USS Kobe, CAA Chubu, JU Gifu, HERO |
| Thursday | USS Tokyo, TAA Kinki, JU Kanagawa, BAYAUC |
| Friday | USS Fukuoka, NAA Osaka, TAA Hiroshima, JU Niigata |
| Saturday | USS R Nagoya, AUCNET (online), JU Shizuoka |
Main export ports
- Yokohama / Kawasaki, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Americas
- Nagoya, Middle East, Africa, Oceania
- Kobe / Osaka, South Asia, Africa, Caribbean
- Moji (Kitakyushu), Southeast Asia, China, Korea
- Hitachinaka, North America, Pacific
Section 07
Types of Vehicles & Machinery Available
Passenger cars
Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Lexus, kei cars (Suzuki, Daihatsu).
Commercial & light trucks
Hiace, Caravan, Dyna, Canter, Elf, Titan, Atlas. Refrigerated, dump, flatbed.
Heavy trucks & trailers
Hino Profia, Isuzu Giga, UD Quon, Fuso Super Great. 10–25 ton classes.
Construction machinery
Komatsu, Hitachi, Kobelco, Sumitomo excavators; CAT, TCM wheel loaders; Kobe cranes.
Agricultural machinery
Kubota, Yanmar, Iseki tractors, combine harvesters, rice planters.
JDM & sports
Skyline GT-R, Supra, RX-7, Land Cruiser 70/80/100, Hiace classics, drift-spec.
Buses & vans
Coaster, Civilian, Rosa, Erga Mio, 14 to 60 seat.
Specialised
Fire trucks, ambulances, garbage compactors, fuel tankers, mobile workshops.
See live stock on our vehicle inventory and machinery pages.
Section 08
Full Cost Breakdown
Total landed cost = auction hammer price + Japan-side costs + ocean freight + destination costs. Here is the full breakdown of every fee involved on the Japan side.
| Fee | Typical range (JPY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer price | Varies | Your winning bid |
| Auction house fee | ¥9,000 – ¥30,000 | Tiered by hammer price |
| Recycling deposit | ¥10,000 – ¥20,000 | Refundable / passed to buyer |
| Consumption tax (10%) | 10% on hammer | Refundable on export |
| IR Nippon agent fee | ¥30,000 – ¥60,000 | All-inclusive sourcing, bidding, translation, handling |
| Transport: auction → port | ¥10,000 – ¥35,000 | By distance |
| De-registration / export cert | ¥15,000 | Mandatory |
| Pre-shipment inspection (JEVIC/JAAI) | ¥12,000 – ¥18,000 | UAE, Kenya, Tanzania, etc. |
| Cleaning / fumigation | ¥5,000 – ¥15,000 | Required for AU, NZ |
| Ocean freight (RoRo, sedan) | ¥80,000 – ¥250,000 | By destination |
| Marine insurance (optional) | ~1.5% of CIF | Strongly recommended |
Want an exact landed estimate for your destination? Try our shipping calculator.
Section 09
Payment, Inspection & Quality Assurance
Payment terms
- T/T bank transfer in JPY or USD, standard for all buyers.
- 30% deposit at win, 70% before B/L release for repeat clients.
- Letter of Credit (L/C) accepted for orders > 10 units.
- Escrow available for first-time buyers above USD 20,000.
Inspection levels we offer
- Auction sheet translation, included free on every lot.
- Photo verification, high-res additional photos before bidding.
- Yard physical inspection, engine, undercarriage, paint thickness, OBD scan. Available at most USS, TAA and CAA yards. Optional fee.
- Pre-shipment inspection (3rd-party), JEVIC, JAAI, EAA, QISJ, required by many destination customs.
Our quality guarantee
IR Nippon refuses bidding on grade 0, RA-heavy, or odometer-tampered units unless the buyer explicitly requests them in writing. Every invoice is accompanied by the original Japanese auction sheet and our English translation so you can independently verify the condition you paid for.
Section 10
Shipping & Export Logistics from Japan
IR Nippon books space with the major roll-on/roll-off and container carriers servicing Japan, NYK, MOL, K-Line, Höegh, Wallenius, EUKOR, Glovis, so we can match the vessel to your destination, volume and timing.
| Mode | Best for | Transit time (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | Single drivable vehicles | UAE 18–22d · Mombasa 30–35d · Durban 35–40d · Karachi 21–25d · Southampton 40–45d |
| 40' HC Container | 2–4 cars, valuable units, machinery | Same routes + 3–5 days |
| Flat-rack / breakbulk | Heavy equipment, oversize | Custom routing |
Full destination-specific guidance lives on our shipping page.
Section 11
Risks, Common Pitfalls & Pro Tips
Most expensive mistakes we see
- Trusting photos only. Auction photos are flattering. Always read the auction sheet diagram and inspector notes, they are legally binding.
- Ignoring the R / RA grade. A repaired car can be a great deal, or a hidden disaster. Never buy R-grade without a physical inspection.
- Underestimating destination rules. Many countries impose age limits (UAE: ≤5 yrs, Kenya: ≤8 yrs, Pakistan: ≤3 yrs for cars). Buying a non-compliant unit means it cannot be cleared.
- Cheap agents. "Zero-fee" exporters recover margin by inflating freight, fake recycling deposits, or low-balling auction grading.
- Skipping marine insurance. 1.5% of value is nothing compared to a vessel fire (ask any 2023 importer about the Felicity Ace).
- Late payment. Auction houses charge ¥3,000/day late fees and can blacklist the bidder, which kills your future supply.
Pro tips from the IR Nippon desk
- Bid earlier in the auction lane, last-second snipes face higher hammer prices.
- For Land Cruiser 70/79 series, target USS Nagoya and CAA Chubu, the highest supply.
- Yen weakens vs. USD between 15:00–17:00 Tokyo time, fine-tune your wire timing.
- For machinery, factor in 12% extra for steam-cleaning and quarantine in Australia and NZ.
- Ship 3+ units together, combined freight per unit drops 25–40%.
Section 12
How IR Nippon Makes It Easy
We are a Japan-licensed exporter with offices in Tokyo, Yokohama and Sharjah. Our role is to act as your eyes, hands and bidding power inside Japan, without ever marking up the auction price.
Full-service sourcing
Auction monitoring, sheet translation, max-bid recommendation and yard inspections, included.
Transparent invoicing
Auction invoice attached to every order. You see what we paid; we charge our flat fee.
Multilingual desk
English, Arabic, French, Urdu, Japanese, direct chat with our specialists.
Logistics under one roof
Auction → yard → port → vessel → destination, one accountable team.
Buyer protection
Refusal policy on grade 0, RA-heavy, odometer fraud. Escrow available for new buyers.
After-sale support
Spare parts sourcing, JEVIC re-inspections, destination clearing recommendations.
Selected success stories
- UAE fleet operator. 84 Toyota Hiace units sourced over 9 months, all grade 4+, average savings of 22% vs. local market.
- Tanzanian construction firm. 6 Komatsu PC200 excavators, full-yard inspection, shipped breakbulk to Dar es Salaam.
- Pakistani trader. Weekly mixed lots of kei cars, 60+ units, JEVIC compliant for Karachi clearance.
- French JDM collector. Three Nissan Skyline GT-Rs (R32, R33, R34) verified, inspected and shipped CIF Le Havre.
Section 13