B2B vehicle supply from Japan to South Africa
Import cars from Japan to South Africa
B2B sourcing for companies buying permit-eligible vehicles for South Africa or used stock for onward export.
Part of a business group working with Japan since 1991.
Licensed Japanese exporter and JUMVEA member.
More than 20,000 vehicles exported in 2025.
Export operations managed from Nagoya, Japan.
Built for repeat business purchasing.
Why Sumotori Auto
A purchasing and export team in Japan for your South African operation
Build purchasing capacity in Japan without opening your own local company or operations team.
Dealer-only auction access
Search vehicles and review auction data through Yokozuna, our online platform for sourcing, pricing, and analytics.
Make informed buying decisions
Use translated auction sheets, grades, photos, statistics, and condition notes before you approve a bid.
Control each purchase
Set the required specification and a maximum bid, then review the expected vehicle and logistics costs before buying.
Model landed cost before buying
Add your broker’s duties, VAT, and local charges in Yokozuna to compare the expected landed cost with your resale target.
Leave Japan-side operations to us
We coordinate settlement, domestic transport, export preparation, port handling, and shipping.
Build a repeat supply program
Combine auction purchases with ready stock and adjust the mix for each approved use or final export market.
Your team controls the buying plan and final market while Sumotori Auto runs the purchasing and export workflow in Japan.
Choose a purchasing model
Buy at auction or choose ready stock
Choose one channel for a specific order or combine both when building a larger shipment.
Auction sourcing
Bid on vehicles listed by official Japanese auction houses and B2B platforms.
- Search by model, year, mileage, grade, and budget in Yokozuna
- Review auction statistics and pricing data before setting a maximum bid
- Receive an English auction-sheet translation and request human review when needed
- Order an on-site inspection for selected vehicles where available
Choose auctions when
Regular purchasing and precise inventory requirements
Stock vehicles
Choose a vehicle already purchased by Sumotori Auto and prepared for export.
- Vehicle photos, condition information, and documents available before confirmation
- No auction wait or bidding risk
- Purchase price confirmed before payment
- Easy to add to an existing auction order
Choose stock when
Fast replenishment and confirmed availability
How the process works
From your buying brief to shipment from Japan
Five clear steps keep the import route, buying limit, vehicle condition, and shipment status visible throughout the order.
Send your buying brief
Specify the model, year, mileage, grade, budget, volume, intended use, final market, destination port, and preferred delivery terms.
Receive a shortlist and cost structure
We present matching auction lots and stock vehicles with available condition data, photos, and purchase terms.
We agree on Sumotori fees, Japan-side logistics, the shipping estimate, and delivery terms before you approve the purchase.
Approve the bid or stock offer
You set the maximum bid or confirm a stock offer. Our team completes the purchase and settlement in Japan.
No vehicle is purchased above the limit or outside the specification you approved.
Inspect and prepare the vehicle
After purchase, we complete the agreed inspection or preparation work before export handling begins.
The vehicle is deregistered, moved to the export yard or port, and prepared for loading.
Book the shipment and receive documents
Once your team confirms the required approvals and clearance route, we book the vessel, coordinate loading, and provide shipment details.
Your South African broker receives the invoice, export certificate, bill of lading, and other Japan-side documents required for the declared customs route.
South Africa import check
Confirm the South African import route before we bid
Used-vehicle imports are restricted. Share the intended use, final market, and your broker’s instructions before bidding; the South African importer remains responsible for permits and local clearance.
Local road use
ITAC permits used passenger vehicles only in defined cases, including returning residents, immigrants with permanent residence, inherited vehicles, racing cars, vintage cars, and specially designed vehicles.
Stock for onward export
Used vehicles may enter for resale to markets outside South Africa through the correct warehousing, transit, or export procedure. Confirm the facility and customs route before purchase.
ITAC import permit
An ITAC import permit is required for a used vehicle. Approval depends on the declared category and supporting documents, not simply on vehicle availability in Japan.
NRCS Letter of Authority
A Letter of Authority from the NRCS is required before importing a used vehicle, goods vehicle, or trailer. The application must match the vehicle and its intended purpose.
Customs and police documents
For customs release, SARS expects the complete approved document package plus an Interpol clearance certificate.
Duty and VAT
Customs duty depends on tariff classification and customs value. Import VAT is 15% and uses the SARS added-tax-value formula; ask your broker for the vehicle-specific calculation.
Official references: South African Government used-vehicle import guidance, ITAC Import Control, and SARS clearance requirements.
What we source
Source the right stock for an approved use or final market
Search Japanese auctions and stock across five core segments with one Japan-based export team.
Used cars
Japanese passenger cars, 4x4s, hybrids, performance models, and premium vehicles across varied years and grades.
View passenger cars from Japan Business useCommercial vehicles
Vans, minibuses, pickups, and light commercial vehicles for approved business or export programs.
View commercial vehicles from Japan Heavy segmentTrucks
Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks selected around payload, body type, drivetrain, and operating requirements.
View trucks from Japan Specialist stockMotorcycles
Road, sport, touring, off-road, and specialist motorcycles from auction or ready stock.
View motorcycles from Japan MachineryConstruction machinery
Excavators, loaders, cranes, and specialist equipment for dealers, contractors, and project buyers.
Browse machinery from JapanCombined shipments
Combine eligible vehicles and equipment under one purchasing plan when the shipping route allows it.
Availability changes daily. Send your target models and planned volume to receive current auction and stock options.
FAQ
Before ordering a Japanese vehicle for South Africa
Short answers on account setup, private orders, and right-hand-drive vehicles.
Send your company details, buying goal, intended use, final market, and local broker contact. We will discuss account setup, sourcing options, fees, payment, and the first order.
No. Sumotori Auto works with dealers, resellers, and business buyers.
No. South Africa and Japan both use right-hand-drive vehicles, but steering position only addresses vehicle layout; approval still depends on the import category and the exact vehicle.
Contact Sumotori Japan
Start cooperation with Sumotori Japan
Fill in the form and our team will contact you to discuss your request, available cooperation options and next steps.
- Business cooperation requests and project discussions
- Support for dealers, partners and business clients
- Japan-based team for sourcing, export, logistics and related services
Contact information
Contact Sumotori Japan
2 Chome-20-22 Kikui, Garden Front Kikui 4F