General Questions

  • For export rules and procedures for your country, including pre-export inspections lists, please visit your country’s appropriate government authorities. References to these authorities can be found in our FAQ section “Basic Export Rules/Regulations per Country.”
    It is also strongly suggested that prior to importing a vehicle, you research what is expected of you as a vehicle importer in your country and understand all risks and responsibilities.

  • We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (Japan time). Please note that lunch break is held.
    12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

    • Saturday and Sunday
    • New Year's Holiday (several days around New Year’s Day)
    • Golden Week (several days between April and May)
    • Summer Holiday (several days in mid-August)
    • Seminar Sessions (a few days throughout the year)

    Please note that long holidays such as New Year's, Golden Week, and Summer Holiday will differ in length each year. Specific dates will be announced as the season approaches.

  • No, these fees are not included in our FOB pricing. The term “FOB Price,” as seen on SAMURAICARS website, refers to the vehicle’s price only. Freight charge should be added to the FOB price when you purchase the vehicle from us. After receiving the vehicle, you will be responsible for paying port clearing costs, import duties, taxes and any additional fees required by your country or the port of discharge. Please contact local authorities or a reputable clearing agent for further details.
    Please know that our trained agents are available to assist you as clearing agents. For more information about this additional service, please click on the appropriate port below.
    Dar Es Salaam
    Durban
    Mombasa

  • We provide up to 30 detailed pictures of the vehicle to help with your buying decision.

  • No, we are not allowed to put anything inside the vehicle unless it is shipped by container.

  • To help make the vehicle buying process as secure as possible, we only accept one e-mail address.

Buying & Paying

  • A service provided by SAMURAICARS for transferring the vehicle from the port of discharge to a designated city/border for delivery to the consignee.

  • No, as exporters, we do not sell vehicles for domestic use in Japan.

  • Primarily, we accept payment in U.S. dollars. However, under certain circumstances, Japanese yen is also accepted. No other currencies are accepted.
    Please note that all payments must be in the form of a bank remittance so that the buyer and seller have official written record of the payment transaction. Under no circumstances do we accept any form of cash.

  • Currently we accept payments via bank wire transfer and bitcoin. For detailed information, please refer here.

  • No, we do not provide receipts. The bank remittance provides an official written record of the payment transaction for both the buyer and seller.

  • Please allow a minimum of three (3) business days for your bank remittance to be reflected in our bank account. While this delay may cause some inconvenience, it is the average amount of time required for interbank transactions.

  • For some countries, a pre-export inspection is mandatory prior to exporting the vehicle. Please visit your country’s appropriate government authorities to obtain all required pre-export inspections lists. References to these authorities can be found in our FAQ section “Basic Export Rules/Regulations per Country.”
    It has been reported that while many countries in the past have not enforced this regulation, they are beginning to impose large fines for violations. Please make sure that the condition of your purchase is inspection inclusive if such is mandatory by your country’s government.

  • Once you submit your payment for transfer at your bank, you will receive a Telegraphic Transfer Copy (TT Copy) as a proof of your remittance. The deposit slip may replace the TT Copy only if the TT Copy is not issued immediately by your bank.

  • The buyer is responsible for all bank fees. Please confirm the cost of this fee with your bank before closing the purchase agreement with our staff.

  • There is no IBAN Code for Japanese banks. Please instruct your bank to use the Swift Code.

Documentation

  • You, as an importer, are supposed to receive the following documents:

    1. Bill of Lading (B/L)
    2. Insurance Document (if your purchase is CIF)
    3. Export Certificate (also called the “Deregistration Certificate” or “Cancellation of Registration” form)
    4. Commercial Invoice
      If your government requires, we will also send you the following:
    5. Inspection Certificate
    6. Export Permit (also called the “Bill of Entry”)
  • The consignee is the vehicle’s “owner-to-be.” Please list the consignee’s full name as well as the “real” name shown on his/her passport or ID, full address (without any abbreviations), and phone number(s).
    It is important to understand the following when providing us with your booking information:

    • Your booking will be delayed by the shipping company if the consignee’s full name and address are not provided. Complete information must be provided.
    • The consignee's name cannot have any spelling mistakes. Even the smallest error can be subject to a B/L amendment, which may cost you additional fees and time.
  • Shipping companies require that full information be provided. The B/L is an official document that determines/proves the owner of the cargo and, therefore, the consignee's full name and address, as written on his/her passport or ID must be used.

    • Your booking will be delayed by the shipping company if the consignee’s full name and address are not provided. Complete information must be provided.
    • The consignee”s name cannot have any spelling mistakes. Even the smallest error can be subject to a B/L amendment, which may cost you additional fees and time.
  • This is the person that the shipping agent contacts to notify the confirmed arrival date of your vessel to the port. If you have a private clearing agent, you may list them here, though it is not mandatory as you do not need to declare a clearing agent on the B/L. If you have not hired an agent, it is easiest to simply write in “Same as Consignee.”

  • This is the required information you provide so that we can mail your documents, including your B/L, by EMS courier. Please provide the full name of the recipient, full address (without any abbreviations), and phone number(s).
    Please be warned that incomplete information may delay the dispatch of your documents.

  • This information is required so that we can mail your documents, including your B/L, by EMS courier. Please provide the full name of the recipient, full address (without any abbreviations), and phone number(s).
    Please be warned that incomplete information may delay the dispatch of your documents.

  • Yes, we will upload a PDF of your B/L and other documents to your CAP.

  • Absolutely not! Altering information on the B/L or on any other documents we provide you is illegal. SAMURAICARS does not participate in illegal actions, regardless of the reason.

  • We do not provide a packing list, but our Commercial Invoice can replace it. All relevant information found on the packing list is included on the commercial invoice. If you have concerns about submitting the commercial invoice to your country’s customs office, please know that past customers have never had any problems with authorities as a result of using this document.