Registration of a car from Japan - what formalities do you have to complete?

You brought a car from Japan, but you are not very sure how to proceed? Registering a car from Japan is not always as simple as it seems at first. Precisely because you need to properly prepare for this and collect the documents that will be necessary in the process. Of course, it is also beneficial to cooperate with professionals who will guide you through the entire import and process Car transport from Japan. They will help you at every stage: from the bidding of the car to its registration, so that you can be sure that all the formalities have been completed. Below we explain what the registration of a car from Japan looks like in our country.

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Table of contents:

• A law that is not always adapted
• Why this problem?
• What do deviations from the rule look like in this case?
• Using an intermediary will facilitate the collection of documentation

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Registration of a car from Japan - a law that is not always adjusted

It is true that Poland has been a member of the European Union for a long time, but still not all regulations are the same as in other countries. Because of this, sometimes confusion or confusion can occur. However, it is worth remembering that in Poland it is not possible to register vehicles that have right-hand drive, as well as those that have a short VIN number, which comes directly from vehicles imported from Japan. At this point, you can say: But how is that possible? After all, in theory, Poland received the right to register cars with right-hand drive already in 2015. Well, still in theory, because in practice not all vehicles can be registered in the same way and under the same rules. These difficulties may concern Japanese cars from the domestic market which were imported directly from Japan.

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The problem with registering a car from Japan - where does it come from?

Where do such difficulties arise with the registration of a classic car imported from Japan? The reason is the already mentioned issues regarding the steering wheel mounted on the right side of the vehicle and the short VIN number. As a rule, this number should have 17 characters. However, the Japanese have reduced it to only 10. While earlier such registration was still fully possible, now there are more obstacles. Of course, you can take the legal route, but this is not always a profitable solution, and more importantly, it can take a lot of time.

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Registration of a car from Japan - what do deviations from the rule look like in this case?

In order to end your case positively, it is often enough to look at possible deviations from these regulations. First of all, when planning to import a car, in particular used cars from Japan, it will be much more advantageous to opt for the variant that has the steering wheel on the left, that is, as in our country. Especially since in Japan it is not at all uncommon, and so you can safely come across such vehicles. If you want to save a little time and be sure that when registering a car from Japan everything will go smoothly and is properly organized, then immediately pay attention to the models with a steering wheel on the classic side.

However, other conditions can be distinguished, which will facilitate the fulfillment of all formalities and registration of the car of your choice in Poland. One of the options is if the car has already been registered in another country of the European Union. You then re-register a car that was already registered in Europe — that is, it did not come to Poland directly from Japan. Another possibility to register a car from Japan is to apply to the ministry for a derogation and treat such a case individually. However, this can turn out to be quite a time-consuming solution, which not always everyone will decide on. Especially since it can end in failure.

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Using an intermediary when registering a car from Japan will facilitate the collection of documentation

Using the actions of an intermediary in the issue of importing a Japanese car to Poland is much easier, because before the necessary registration, you receive from him all the documents that are necessary for this. Otherwise, having dealt with it yourself, you have to take care of everything yourself. This requires not only a lot of time, but also attention, so as not to forget anything and not to miss anything. After the end of the cooperation related to the import of the car to the country of destination (regardless of whether they will be Classic cars from Japan, Mercedes from Japan whether used cars from Japan), all documents that will allow the process to be completed are provided. What kind of documents are these? First of all:

• a document confirming the purchase, that is, an invoice from Japan,
• certificate of ownership of the vehicle,
• documents from customs clearance, which are proof that the duty has been paid and the VAT due.

If you want to register a car in Poland, it is also necessary to attach a translation and confirmation of the excise payment. In this way we finish all the import of the car and with all these documents you can already go directly to the office to make the registration of the car from Japan and complete the entire process associated with it.

Don't want to be left alone with all the formalities? Take advantage of the support of a broker who will take care of everything from A to Z, and you will be able to enjoy only your new car!