You brought a car from Japan and what next? Practical guide for the first 30 days after receipt

When registering a used car from the territory of the European Union, the registration procedure is usually easy and fast. If you decide to import from Japan, the registration procedure will be different from that for EU cars. However, thanks to our guide you will see that registering a car from outside the EU on the territory of the Republic of Poland is also simple, but you need to observe the correct sequence of actions. For convenience, we have divided the whole process into individual weeks. We assume that the car is in perfect condition and does not require any intervention except adaptation to the regulations in force in Poland.

Week 1 - car collection and first formalities

Pickup of the car

The first week is the most exciting, because you pick up your dream car from Japan. However, it makes sense to schedule a pickup at a trusted workshop that you know or is recommended by an intermediary. Mechanics will make a visual inspection of the vehicle, guess possible things that may need attention or replacement.

Together with the vehicle, you should receive the following documents:

• the vehicle's existing registration certificate;
• original license plates;
• proof of ownership of the car (e.g. purchase invoice from Japan);
• export certificate (if any).

The export certificate is issued by the Japanese Transport Authority after the deregistration of the vehicle in Japan, thus it is a confirmation of the deregistration of the vehicle. The card is the basis for registering a vehicle imported from Japan. All documents must be translated by a sworn translator.

Excise

Excise duty is a fee that you pay only at the moment when a car imported from Japan arrives in Poland. For cars with an engine capacity of up to 2000 cm3, the rate is 3.1 percent, and with an engine capacity of more than 2000 cm3 - 18.6 percent. For hybrid cars with an internal combustion engine with a capacity of up to 2000 cm3, the excise tax is 1.55 per cent, and for an engine with a capacity of more than 2000 cm3 - 18.6 per cent. Electric cars and cars qualified as vintage are exempt from the obligation to pay excise duty.

Excise duty is paid through the Electronic Treasury and Customs Services Platform. After the payment is made, you will receive the appropriate confirmation, which will be needed before the first registration of the vehicle.

Week 2 - adaptation of the car to Polish regulations and technical requirements

The first week was just a warm-up, the second is crucial, because in it you will take actions aimed at passing the auto technical inspection and you will be able to register the car in the department of communications. In Poland, every car imported from outside the European Union must undergo an extended technical test, which aims to check whether the car complies with the regulations.

Adjusting lighting and mirrors for right-hand traffic

Preparing the car for registration includes, among other things, the adjustment of lighting and mirrors. For headlights, you have two options to choose from. The first, of course, is the replacement of headlights with their European counterparts. However, this is not always possible. If a particular car imported from Japan was offered only on the Japanese market, then you have to resort to special covers, which are allowed by diagnosticians, if the quality of the lighting remains unchanged and can be adjusted.

Side mirrors also require attention. Here we have a situation similar to that with lighting. If the car is present in Europe, then it is enough to buy European mirrors. However, if it was offered, for example, only in Japan, then special pads can be used. It is best then to go to a service that specializes in preparing cars from Japan for registration.

Steering wheel on the right - shift or leave?

Although many cars of European brands, imported from Japan, have the steering wheel on the left, in the case of so-called JDM cars, the steering wheel will be on the right. Here we have good news, because in Poland it is not necessary to make a so-called spacer. This means you won't have to carve into your Nissan GT-R or Supra MK IV. This is also good news for your wallet, because cost of importing a car from Japan will be lower.

Counter, navigation, infotainment

For instruments and indicators, the only element that requires mandatory attention is the meter, which should be scaled in kilometers per hour. Fortunately, for Japanese cars, no interference will be necessary. However, you may need to tune the radio, change the language in the multimedia system, and tune or replace the vehicle's GPS module. The latter is due to the fact that the Japanese use a different navigation standard than the one in force in Europe, so the original navigation will not work in Poland.

Technical examination of a car imported from abroad

During the technical examination, the diagnostician will check the following:

• general technical condition of the vehicle;
• vehicle lighting;
• mirrors;
• emission of exhaust gases;
• compliance of nameplates and VIN identification number with the documentation.

If the car does not have a European type approval, the diagnostician may or may not refer the car for an additional examination with the participation of an appraiser. However, this is not the rule.

The cost of the inspection is normally PLN 98. If the car was damaged, which is rare for cars from Japan, then an additional inspection of the car repaired after an accident costs 94 zł.

Week 3 - registration of a car from abroad

The last point of the program is a happy final in the form of registration of the car in the communication department. To register a car, you must have the following documents:

• completed application for registration of the vehicle;
• the original of the Japanese registration certificate with a sworn translation;
• export certificate (if it was issued) with a sworn translation;
• confirmation of payment of registration fees;
• original purchase invoice with sworn translation;
• certificate of the current technical examination of the vehicle;
• confirmation of payment of excise duty;
• confirmation of customs clearance;
• proof of identity.

If you order the registration of a car from abroad to a professional broker, you must also attach the corresponding authorization. Remember that on the day of registration of the vehicle, you must take out third party liability insurance.

The cost of registering a car purchased in Japan is as follows:

• issuance of registration certificate - 54 PLN;
• temporary permit - 13,5 zł
• license plates - PLN 80;
• legalization sticker - 12.5 PLN;
• registration fee - 2 PLN.

The total cost of registration in the communication department is PLN 162 assuming that you register using standard license plates. Personalized license plates cost 1000 zł.

Trial registration

Before the final registration, you can register the car on the so-called test plates, thanks to which you can, among other things, perform a technical test without having to involve a tow truck. They are issued for 30 days with the possibility of extension for another 30 days and you must purchase temporary third-party liability insurance for them.

You will need the following documents:

• original registration certificate from Japan with translation;
• proof of identity;
• proof of ownership of the vehicle (e.g. invoice) with translation;
• confirmation of customs clearance and excise duty;
• confirmation of payment of registration fees;
• application for trial registration;
• a statement about the absence of license plates, if the car does not have them.

The total cost is PLN 61 and the amount includes:

• license plates - 30 PLN;
• legalization stickers - 12.5 PLN;
• temporary permit - 18.5 PLN.

What to do after bringing a car from abroad?

As you can see, registration Cars from Japan is an easy process if you approach it calmly and plan it properly. If you do not have time, you can ask for help from the broker who brought the car for you. Specialists from Sakura Motors will be happy to help you with this. Years of practice and hundreds of satisfied customers make them know exactly where best to adapt the car to the requirements of Polish law, get a quick translation of documents and how to smoothly go through the entire procedure.

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