Sumotori Japan » SUMOTORI AUTO » Import cars from Japan to Canada

B2B vehicle supply from Japan to Canada

Import cars from Japan to Canada

Source Japanese used cars, 4x4s, and commercial vehicles for dealership and resale programs in Canada.

Group experience

Part of a business group working with Japan since 1991.

Licensed exporter

Licensed Japanese exporter and JUMVEA member.

2025 export volume

More than 20,000 vehicles exported in 2025.

Nagoya team

Export operations managed from Nagoya, Japan.

B2B focus

Built for repeat business purchasing.

Why Sumotori Auto

A Japanese car exporter to Canada for dealer supply

Run repeat orders through one English-language B2B account while our team works with suppliers and service partners in Japan.

Buying platform

Dealer-only auction access

Search vehicles and review auction data through Yokozuna, our online platform for sourcing, pricing, and analytics.

Auction intelligence

Make informed buying decisions

Use translated auction sheets, grades, photos, statistics, and condition notes before you approve a bid.

Buying control

Control each purchase

Set the required specification and a maximum bid, then review the expected vehicle and logistics costs before buying.

Margin planning

Plan the Canadian landed cost

Add your broker’s current duty, tax, port, inspection, inland transport, and registration costs in Yokozuna before setting the resale target.

Export execution

Leave Japan-side operations to us

We coordinate settlement, domestic transport, export preparation, port handling, and shipping.

Supply planning

Build a repeat supply program

Adjust the model mix and order volume around local demand, seasonal purchasing, and your sales plan.

English-language account support keeps approvals, payment requests, and order status clear for your purchasing team.

How the process works

From your buying brief to shipment from Japan

Five defined steps keep the specification, approval limit, condition evidence, and Japan-side status visible throughout the order.

01

Send your buying brief

Specify the model, chassis code, manufacture month and year, mileage, grade, budget, volume, Canadian port, and preferred delivery terms.

02

Receive a shortlist and purchase terms

We present matching auction lots and stock vehicles with the available condition data, photos, and purchase terms.

Before approval, you receive the agreed service fee, inland transport cost, sailing estimate, and Incoterms.

03

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.

04

Inspect and prepare the vehicle

After purchase, we complete the agreed Japan-side inspection and export preparation.

The vehicle is deregistered, moved to the export yard or port, and prepared for the agreed shipment method.

05

Book the shipment and receive documents

Once your team authorizes dispatch, we book the vessel, coordinate loading, and provide the sailing details.

The broker named by your team receives the agreed Japan-side document package for the shipment.

Canada import check

Confirm eligibility and the province before we bid

Appoint a Canadian customs broker and identify the province or territory of registration before purchase. We provide the Japan-side evidence for the selected unit; the importer and appointed specialists handle Canadian entry, taxes, inspections, and licensing.

Age exemption

Vehicles more than 15 years old

A vehicle manufactured more than 15 years ago is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act at importation. Age is based on the month and year of manufacture, not the model year, so build-date evidence must be retained.

Younger vehicles

Foreign-market vehicles under 15 years

A vehicle built and certified for a foreign market generally cannot be modified after purchase to meet Canadian safety standards. A vehicle under 15 years old needs a specific lawful entry basis confirmed before it leaves Japan.

Commercial entry

BN, RM account, and CARM

A business importing vehicles commercially needs a Canadian business number and import-export RM account in the CARM Client Portal. The importer of record or its broker completes the Canadian customs accounting.

Shipment condition

Clean vehicle requirement

Vehicles must arrive free from soil and soil-related material. Agree the cleaning scope before loading because a contaminated unit can be inspected, held, refused entry, or require corrective action at the importer’s cost.

Import budget

Duty, GST, and excise taxes

GST is generally 5% at import. Customs duty depends on tariff classification, origin, and supporting proof; a CAD 100 air-conditioner excise tax applies to equipped vehicles, while a Green Levy or luxury tax may apply in qualifying cases. Ask the broker to calculate the exact unit.

Local licensing

Provincial registration

Federal admissibility does not guarantee provincial or territorial registration. Inspection, insurance, lighting, and right-hand-drive requirements vary by jurisdiction, so confirm the intended place of use before approving the vehicle.

FAQ

Before ordering a Japanese vehicle for Canada

Short answers on account setup, buyer eligibility, and shipping routes.

Send your company registration details and purchasing contact. We will verify the account, explain Yokozuna access, deposits, payment terms, and how to place the first order.

No. Sumotori Auto works with dealers, resellers, and business buyers.

Available ports and shipment methods depend on the vehicle type, carrier service, and current schedules. Share the destination and order profile; we will quote the available route from Japan.

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

Address
451-0044 Japan, Aichi, Nagoya, Nishi Ward,
2 Chome-20-22 Kikui, Garden Front Kikui 4F
Telephone
Fax
+81 52-526-4182