transporting my car to japan..???

[Taro Toporific]

could someone give me some information about transporting my car to japan by sea? price? fees? emissions? thanks! coming from america by the way.. its a bmw

Cheap!

IF you hook up with the right people in the States it's only $600-$800 (less than $500 each for multiple cars so bring many low-riders). Ro-Ro (Roll On Roll Off) car carriers are empty going back to Japan for some "odd" reason.

Best prices? You MUST call around, otherwise the big moving companies like Allied Van Lines will charge you $1,900+. Check the FAQ at the rather pricey
Kline.com here.

[Big Booger]

I priced bringing over a mint 1990 Camaro RS, it was $1250. Taro, you care to share your info about the $600-800? I am seriously interested in this as well. ANy links, numbers, adverts?
Thanks
BB

[Taro Toporific]

I priced bringing over a mint 1990 Camaro RS, it was $1250. Taro, you care to share your info about the $600-800? I am seriously interested in this as well. Any links, numbers, adverts?

Digging through the meishi file yesterday, I discovered that my "connection" in the Low-rider/car import business, "Radical Orange Inc", had gone bankrupt. They imported classic cars '59 Cadillacs, 60s Mustangs, etc and were VERY willing to add another private car for $600 to their Ro-Ro list at the Port of Los Angeles to make their volume shipping charges lower.

"Radical Orange" used the Merlion Ace, a ten-level cargo ship, hits the Port of Los Angeles to unload 2,200 new Nissans every few months. It returns to Japan with assortment of boats, trailers, cars and even a log cabin or two. For the sleazy but cheap Merlion Ace contact, "Seatrade Shipmanagement, CHARTERER: MOL Lines, Tokyo."

How did I hook with this $600-shipping charge company?

Hang out at a few Japanese car shows and ask the smaller companies. The March 3 Lowrider Show at Makuhari Messe is your best bet. Note: Do NOT pay 3,500yen for a ticket since gaijin members of the "Press" with a one-off PhotoShop meishi are free.

Other import costs:
Shaken Inspection: Your car to import has to be well tuned, all new rubber and hoses, and have Japanese side lamps. Nothing horrible really: one of my old Cadillacs passed self-inspection Shaken for 100,000yen total.

Classic cars more than 20 years old don't have to pass much air pollution BS. Modern cars are tougher...things like low-production Dodge Vipers without a "class approval" are a bitch.

A mint 1990 Camaro RS could cost you less than 100,000yen in inspection fees and mods. A POS Camaro won't be worth the effort.

A 90s BMW will cost more, unless its a special German "Tuner" car like a Hartge which get waved through inspection process automatically. IF you happen to have a way to get fake "Tuner" receipts and decals, I know such BWMs fly through the process <"nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more">.
Basically, clean, low-mileage, older RIGHT-HAND DRIVE, BMWs are dirt cheap in Japan and there's no reason to bring a left-hand BMW into the country unless the car is something special.

Case in point: I drive a right-hand Benz in Japan even though I have a fine left-hand 300 MB (and '62 Cadillac) in the States.

Bottom Line: Use Social Engineering--GAIJIN POWER--but some things ain't worth the hassle.

------------------
For more info, bug the hell out of the Japanese Embassy or Consulate nearest you in the States 'cause no government stiff in Japan will want to help you.

Here is a list of companiesthat currently ship Privately Owned Vehicles (POV's) through the Port of Tacoma.

[Taro Toporific]

hmm.. im trying to decide what to do..
my bmw has a sick system, cams, exhaust, suspension, 18's, intake,rieger body kit, etc.. will it get fucked over on the boat? oh and it has clears all around in addition to the tint..:P what do you thikn it would cost me total (shipping, tessts, etc..) maybe ill just pack my stuff up and send it to japan then mod up a new one once im there.. if tis going to cost an arm and a leg.

Oh no! WHat ya got there is a one-off custom modified car. The authorities will HATE it. Except for the top-of-the-line German Tuner cars, modified cars are going to get the "anal probe" and you too for good measure.

Just buy a RHD BMW here which are DIRT cheap (prices under 200,000yen are possible) when they are over 5 years old. Then mod it like crazy. The money you'll save in shipping, taxes and grief is enough to buy a 5+ year old BMW!

[Big Booger]

FROM: TN Nashville TO: Japan Kobe RATE: $1950

hehehe A bit too steap for me.

http://216.157.141.8/am/index.cfm

I mean the bluebook is less than 3500.

I might just sell it and get a new one here in Japan. Got any sites that deal in muscle/sports cars in Japan?

Also, where do you go about getting parts/repairs for foreign muscle cars/sportscars?
BB