We read the sheet before you bid
Every auction sheet is translated and interpreted first — grade, damage map, inspector notation, repair history. You know what you are bidding on, not what the photos suggest.
Importing to Australia
Import your next car from Japan to Australia.
Johny, the founder, splits his time between Melbourne and Auckland, and runs New Zealand and Australia as equal markets — not one built first and the other bolted on. You get the same live account on the Japanese auctions, the same interpreted auction sheet before you bid, and a compliance pathway (SEVS, RAWS or ROVER) confirmed for whichever state you are landing in.
Johny looks after Australia · +61 414 829 388
What it actually costs
10% GST, a flat import fee, and a compliance pathway confirmed for your state.
Australian GST is 10%, charged on the vehicle plus freight — not the vehicle alone. Our import fee is a flat $1,000. Compliance runs through SEVS, RAWS or ROVER depending on your state, so that line is confirmed as part of your quote rather than quoted blind.
Why buy through us
Importing goes wrong in the gap between the photos and the paperwork.
Direct auction access
A live account on the Japanese auction houses, the same 500,000+ vehicles a month the trade sees. Browsing is free and there is no commitment until you want to bid for real.
People who actually own these cars
Nine years importing, a dealership before that, and a partner in Japan checking cars in person. Skylines, Evos, RX-7s, S2000s — we buy them for ourselves too.
Handled end to end
Shipping, import documents, compliance support and transport. We tell you what happens next before it happens, including the costs.
The auction process
Six steps, and you know the cost before each one.
- 01
Register
Free. You get direct access to our Japanese auction houses so you can view, manage and place bids on vehicles.
- 02
Authenticate
New accounts start as guests, and guest bids are not treated as legitimate by the auction houses. A $1,000 deposit, in your own currency, makes your bids real. It is not a fee — it goes toward your vehicle, and it is refundable if you decide not to proceed. Applies the same way for New Zealand and Australia.
- 03
Bid
Place a bid on the car you want. We verify it and translate the auction sheet for you before the auction runs — and no bid goes on without your maximum confirmed in writing.
- 04
Payment
Win, and we issue an invoice covering the vehicle and FOB. Payment is due within 1–3 days of the invoice.
- 05
Shipment
Once payment clears we courier the import documents to you (DHL, FedEx, UPS or DMS). Shipping typically takes 3 to 4 weeks.
- 06
Receive your vehicle
Your car arrives at your destination port. You can handle compliance yourself or have Urban Imports assist — the pathway differs between New Zealand and Australia, so we confirm which one applies as part of your quote.
Who you deal with
Johny
Founder.
Johny founded Urban Imports and splits his time between Melbourne and Auckland, so Australia gets the founder's direct attention, not a satellite office.
What customers say
Most of our buyers come from someone telling a mate.
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!
Best experience I’ve ever had when purchasing a car.
The team is very professional and took great care of me. Jackie was able to provide me with a deal that had my best interest in mind. It is evident that the vehicles they import have been taken care of and well looked after by them, giving you the peace of mind to buy in confidence.
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.
Start here
Tell us the car, and where in Australia it’s going.
Four quick questions and you’re in the system — no obligation.