Import a Car from Japan to Australia
Prestige Car Imports is a Melbourne-based import broker. We help our clients source vehicles from Japanese auctions and dealers, inspect vehicles before purchase where available, and help manage the entire import process through to getting the vehicle on the road in Australia.
Melbourne, Australia · Speak directly with Dyson · Inspections in Japan before bidding where available
Why Import From Japan?
Auction supply
Japan has a huge vehicle auction network, with different cars coming through every week.
Right-hand drive & specialist vehicles
Access performance cars, hybrids, specialist models and specifications that can be difficult to find in Australia.
Value & choice
Depending on the vehicle and the market, importing can provide access to better choice and strong value compared with sourcing the same car locally.
Why Import With Prestige Car Imports?
Australian based
Prestige Car Imports is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Inspections in Japan
Where inspection is available, we arrange inspection before bidding or purchase and provide the condition information.
You control the budget
You approve the vehicle and set the maximum you are prepared to bid or pay. We do not bid past that.
Direct contact
Speak directly with Dyson about the vehicle, budget and whether importing from Japan is the right move.
Full process assistance
We help coordinate sourcing and purchase through shipping, import paperwork, customs, biosecurity/quarantine, asbestos requirements where applicable, compliance and getting the vehicle on the road.
How Importing From Japan Works
You choose the car and the budget. We search, inspect where available, bid or buy, then help with shipping, customs, quarantine, asbestos testing where required, compliance and getting the vehicle on the road in your state.
1
Talk to us
Enquire, call, email or WhatsApp. We discuss make/model, budget, requirements, eligibility and expectations.
2
Engage Prestige Car Imports
When you are ready to begin sourcing, the $1,190 AUD engagement/deposit fee becomes payable. That is when we start the search and inspections.
3
Search
We search Japanese auctions and suitable dealer stock. Import clients also get access to our auction system to view vehicles coming through the Japanese auctions. Stock changes daily — it is not a static catalogue.
4
Inspect
Where inspection is available, we arrange it and send you the condition information before you decide whether to proceed. If the vehicle is not suitable, we keep looking.
5
Approve & bid / buy
You approve the vehicle and your maximum bid or purchase price. We handle bidding, or help secure the car from a dealer.
6
Purchase
Once the vehicle is secured, the Japan-side payment and export process is completed.
7
Ship & import
We help arrange shipping, import paperwork, customs, biosecurity/quarantine, and asbestos testing where it applies.
8
Compliance & on the road
We help arrange compliance and the process of getting your vehicle on the road in any state. Compliance is not the same as registration or roadworthy — those are state-based.
Typically around 12–16 weeks from purchase in Japan to being road-ready in Australia, depending on shipping and compliance.
Buying a Car in Japan
Most of the cars we import from Japan are bought at auction. We also buy from dealers when that is the better car. Import clients can view vehicles coming through the Japanese auctions in our auction system as part of working with us.
Japanese auctions
Vehicles are listed a few days before they sell. The live bidding window is very short — often around 10–40 seconds, not a week-long online auction. You approve the vehicle and your maximum bid beforehand. Different cars come up every day.
Dealers
If you have found a car on Goonet, Beforward, Car From Japan or similar, send the link. Advertised prices are often loaded with fees. We deal in the dealer network and can often buy for less than the listed price, then inspect, export and import as normal.
Inspections
Where inspection is available, we arrange it before bidding or purchase and send you the condition information. If that car is not right, we move on.
Bidding
Because the live window is so short, there is no time to debate once the lot is in lane. You approve the car and the max bid first. We bid up to that amount. If it sells above your limit, we look at the next suitable car.
Auction sheets & grades
Every auction car has an auction sheet: written condition notes, marks on a diagram, and an overall grade. We translate the sheet and use it together with the inspection.
Grades are a useful guide, not the whole story. Age, kilometres, repairs, modifications, the auction notes and what the inspector actually sees all matter. We walk you through the sheet before you approve a bid.
What Cars Can You Import From Japan?
Not every vehicle can be imported into Australia. Eligibility depends on the actual vehicle.
Many newer vehicles are only eligible if they appear on the federal Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVS) approved list.
Vehicles 25 years or older may be eligible under the rolling 25-year import pathway, subject to the applicable requirements.
Modifications are assessed case by case. Heavily modified cars often will not pass Australian compliance; more minor items can be a different discussion. Tell us what the car has.
If the car you want is not on the list and is not 25 years old, still ask — some vehicles can be imported another way.
Typical Japan searches include performance and specialist models such as GT-R, RX-7, Supra, Type R and NSX, as well as plenty of less obvious daily cars.
What Does It Cost to Import From Japan?
There is no single landed price. The car, the auction or dealer result, shipping, GST, luxury car tax where it applies, compliance and your state on-road costs all change the total.
When you are ready to begin sourcing, the initial engagement/deposit payment is $1,190 AUD. Prestige Car Imports’ total fee depends on the vehicle and the transaction. You pay in stages as invoices fall due, rather than everything up front.
Estimates do not include state roadworthy, registration or stamp duty.
Real import example
Mazda RX-7
A vehicle Prestige Car Imports helped import from Japan. Figures below are from this example. Note: this is an estimate — not a quote. Exchange rate used: AUD > JPY = 100.
| Car cost | ¥3,400,000 |
| Japan agent fee | ¥195,000 |
| Total FOB | ¥3,595,000 / $35,950.00 |
| Freight inc. customs, heat treatment, BAF | $2,800.00 |
| CIF (FOB + freight + 5% duty if relevant) | $38,750.00 |
| 10% GST | $3,875.00 |
| Landed inc GST | $42,625.00 |
| Luxury car tax (LCT) | $0.00 |
| Compliance | $2,200.00 |
| Prestige Car Imports fee | $1,490.00 |
| Total | $46,315.00 |
Every vehicle is different. Use the Japan Import Cost Calculator to estimate your own import, then talk to us about the actual car.
Estimate Import Costs
Use our Japan Import Cost Calculator to estimate the total based on the vehicle price, then contact us for a more detailed estimate on the actual vehicle.
Cars We've Imported From Japan
Prestige Car Imports
Unit 4/43-45 Launceston St, Williamstown
- This was the first car I’ve imported. I was really uneasy about importing a car. I reached out to Prestage Car Imports through an add on Facebook and Dyson was the person that answered. He was very professional and upfront about the … More process what was involved and most importantly the time frame it was going to take. After that initial phone call I knew Prestage Car Imports were the people I was going to go with. I didn’t even bother contacting anyone else. I was still very hesitant about going through with importing a car. In the end I bit the bullet and done it. Now that I have the vehicle in my possession I’m very happy and pleased with the condition of the car. A big thank you to Dyson and Tayla for the dedication and work. I would highly recommend Prestage Car Imports. This won’t be my only import.
Ben Campbell - Dyson is knowledgeable and I definitely never felt that he was annoyed by my questions or repeated messages, he's always accommodating and respectful. He's a true businessman.
You can text him anytime and he always came back to … More me.
I initially approached him for a certain car but he showed me that it cannot be imported and directed me to a different car.
Car arrived safely and I drove it with pleasure, he wasn't bothered that I chose my own compliance warehouse in Sydney as my ones can do cars within 48 hours, very quick.
Downsides, car required a set of tyres, a new battery and service, but that is reasonable and can be expected.
Overall, I would recommend Dyson if you want to buy from Japanese auctions, as he had best prices so far. Doesn't matter which state you're in, Dyson is able to help - Review
I recently purchased a car from Prestige Cars and couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the beginning, the Dyson and Tayla was friendly, professional and easy to deal with. There was no pressure, and everything was explained … More clearly throughout the process.
The car was exactly as described, the whole process was smooth and straightforward, and the team went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of.
I would definitely recommend Prestige Cars to anyone looking for a quality vehicle and a dealership that genuinely cares about its customers. I’d happily buy from them again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Just wanted to give a huge shoutout to Dyson and the team at Prestige Car Imports.
I recently purchased an R35 GT-R from Japan, and the whole experience was far easier than I ever expected. Importing a car can seem pretty daunting when … More you're doing it for the first time, but Dyson guided me through every step and was always available to answer questions and provide updates.
Communication was excellent from start to finish, and I always felt confident that everything was being handled properly. The car arrived exactly as described and exceeded my expectations.
If you're thinking about importing a car from Japan, I'd highly recommend talking to Dyson. He's knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely cares about helping you find the right car.
Couldn't be happier with my GT-R and the service I received. Thanks again, Dyson! - Here’s a polished Google review that sounds genuine and highlights the key points you mentioned:
I had an excellent experience with Prestige Car Imports when importing my 2021 Toyota Crown RS Advance. From the very beginning, they were … More professional, transparent, and incredibly easy to deal with.
They initially advised that the process would take around 3–4 months from the auction date, but I had my car delivered in just 2.5 months, which exceeded my expectations. The final cost was also within the indicative budget they had provided, with no surprises along the way.
What really stood out was their communication. They kept me updated throughout the entire process, were always on top of everything, and I never had to chase them for updates. Their professionalism and honesty made the whole experience completely stress-free.
I highly recommend Prestige Car Imports to anyone looking to import a vehicle. I wouldn’t hesitate to use their services again in the future!
Facebook reviews
Ready to Import From Japan?
Tell us the car you are looking for and your budget. We will talk through eligibility, likely costs and the process, then start searching when you are ready.