We check cars, not just paperwork
Keima, our partner in Japan, sources and inspects. When an auction sheet is ambiguous or a grade looks generous, someone goes and looks at the car before a bid gets placed.
About
Enthusiasts who happen to run the paperwork.
Founder
Johny Chhy
Urban Imports started in 2017 as an import-to-order service. The problem was simple: the cars people actually wanted were either far too expensive here or were never sold here at all.
In January 2020 it opened as a dealership specialising in JDM and performance vehicles, and sold over 300 cars over three years. In January 2023 the model changed again — from a local dealership to an online bidding system linked straight to the Japanese auction houses, so customers could bid in real time on exactly the car they wanted rather than whatever happened to be on the lot.
Six years in, across both models, the part that has never changed is that someone here reads the auction sheet properly and someone in Japan puts eyes on the car.
The team
Three people, three countries.
Small on purpose. You deal with the same people from the first message to the day the car lands, and one of them is always in the country you’re importing to.
JohnyFounderMelbourne, Australia · Auckland, New Zealand
XinyuLogistics — shipping, documents and the timelineNew Zealand
KeimaOur agent in Japan — sourcing and inspectionOn the ground in Japan
No bid without your written maximum
We translate the sheet, send it to you, and only place a bid once you’ve confirmed your maximum in writing. That one rule prevents almost every dispute in this industry.
Registered, and long enough to be judged on it
Urban Imports Ltd is a registered New Zealand motor vehicle trader — RMVD M390864, which you can look up. We’ve been importing since 2017, first to order, then as a JDM dealership, now straight off the auction floor. Between this side and Keima’s years in the Japanese market, the cars we bring in have been through both.
The rest of the argument isn’t ours to make. It’s underneath, in customers’ own words.
Track record
Importing since 2017. The customers say the rest.
2017importing since
350+direct imports delivered
3,000+orders placed
3countries we operate across
Very happy with the results thanks to their hard work and patience.
Johny helped me find a great deal on an imported s2000. Went above and beyond. Would recommend if you are looking to import a performance car - they know their stuff!
Awesome experience, great easy and fast customer service.
Purchased a mps3 in fantastic condition, helped me sort financing and had the car with a fresh rego, warrant and detail within 48hrs.
The quality of the cars are showroom condition.
A couple of my friends have got their R34 Skylines and an Evo 10 from here, the quality of the cars are showroom condition. Their office setup is really cool too.
Amazing service and great quality cars.
Bought a car from them, amazing service and great quality cars. Team is amazing. Highly recommend them!
FAQ
Questions a first-time importer actually asks.
How does bidding at a Japanese auction actually work?
You get a free live account on the Japanese auction houses — the same 500,000+ vehicles a month the trade sees. Every auction sheet is translated and interpreted by our team before you bid, and no bid goes on without your maximum confirmed in writing.
What is the deposit for — is it a fee?
No. New accounts start as guests, and the auction houses don't treat guest bids as legitimate. A refundable deposit of ¥150,000 or 10% of the car price, whichever is higher, activates real bidding. It is credited toward your vehicle when we win, rolls over to your next car if we miss out, and is refunded in full if you decide not to go ahead.
How long does shipping take?
Typically 3–4 weeks from Japan, depending on the shipping schedule and your destination port.
Do I get to see the car's real condition before I commit?
Yes. Every auction sheet — grade, damage report, inspector notes, repair history — is translated and interpreted before a bid is placed. For fixed-price stock, we also check the vehicle's real condition before you buy.
What does the deposit cover for fixed-price stock?
A fully refundable deposit secures your vehicle request. It lets us confirm availability, negotiate the best possible price and carry out a thorough condition check before you commit.
Do you handle compliance and registration once the car lands?
Either way works: manage it yourself once the vehicle reaches your destination port, or have our team guide you through it. The pathway differs between New Zealand and Australia, so we confirm which one applies as part of your quote.
Do you actually operate in both New Zealand and Australia?
Yes — both are treated as equal markets, with someone on the team in each country's own timezone, and NZ/AU questions are always answered against the right country's rules rather than treated as interchangeable.
How do I get a real cost estimate before bidding?
Browsing the auctions is free with no obligation. Our calculator gives a landed-cost estimate for a specific vehicle price in yen — the Japan-side agency fee, shipping, GST, our flat import fee and compliance, converted to your currency — before you commit to anything.
What's the fastest way to reach the team?
WhatsApp — one number for both New Zealand and Australia, in the header and footer on every page. We do not respond to SMS or landline calls.
Thinking about importing?
Tell us the car and where it’s going. We’ll tell you what’s realistic.