Key takeaways
- Check the exporter’s legal name and corporate number in an official Japanese source.
- Verify claimed JUMVEA membership in the association’s own directory.
- Confirm your contact’s authority, check who issued the invoice and verify who will receive your payment.
- Compare fees and service terms in writing, including inspections and dealer support.
- SUMOTORI Japan has a government corporate record, a JUMVEA profile and public business listings that dealers can check directly.
Before paying a Japanese car exporter, you need to know which company will handle your purchase, who will receive the money and what the agreed price includes.
This guide shows dealers how to check a supplier and compare its services before placing an order.
Check the company’s registration
Before sending money to a Japanese car exporter, check that it exists as a registered business in Japan. A website and sales messages alone are not enough to establish this.
Ask for the company’s legal name, corporate number and registered address. Compare these details with an official government record to check that you are dealing with the business the exporter claims to represent.
For example, SUMOTORI Japan’s record on the government’s gBizINFO website lets you check its registration details against those published on SUMOTORI’s company profile.
Check JUMVEA membership at the source
Membership in the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association (JUMVEA) is an additional sign of credibility when choosing a Japanese car exporter. Applicants must have a business location in Japan and submit company registration documents and a licence to trade in used goods for the association’s approval.
To check membership, find the exporter in JUMVEA’s directory. Compare the company name, website and contact details with those provided by the exporter.
For example, SUMOTORI Japan’s official JUMVEA profile confirms its membership and publishes its company details. This lets you verify SUMOTORI’s membership directly through the association.
Check that your contact represents the exporter
A fraudster can use a real exporter’s name, logo and company details to request payment. Before sending money, confirm that the person handling your order represents the company.
Use the phone number or email published on the exporter’s official website or association profile. Contact the company directly and ask it to confirm your manager’s name and the invoice you received.
For example, you can find SUMOTORI’s contact details on its company profile and official JUMVEA profile. Use these contacts to confirm who is handling your purchase.
If you receive new bank details, confirm the change through the same published contacts before paying.
Check the invoice and payment recipient
Before paying, check that the invoice names the exporter you are buying from and clearly shows:
- The vehicle or order reference.
- The amount and currency.
- The fees included in the total.
- The payment deadline.
Check the bank account holder’s name against the exporter’s legal name. If another company will receive the payment, ask why and confirm the arrangement through the exporter’s published contact details before transferring money.
Also agree in writing:
- How your deposit or existing account balance will be applied.
- Who pays bank transfer and currency conversion fees.
- When the payment must reach the exporter.
- How unused funds and refunds will be handled if an order is cancelled.
Keep the invoice, agreed terms and payment receipt. For a breakdown of purchase and shipping costs, see our guide to calculating the landed cost of a used car from Japan.
Compare services and total costs
Ask exporters to quote for the same vehicle, destination and services. Compare the full cost: a lower purchase fee may exclude transport within Japan, inspections or export documents.
| What to compare | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Price | What is included, and what will cost extra? |
| Auction purchase | Who places bids and handles payment to the auction? |
| Vehicle details | Will I receive the original auction sheet, photos and chassis number? |
| Inspections | What can you check before bidding and after purchase, and at what cost? |
| Claims | Who handles a claim if the car differs from its auction description, and what is the deadline? |
| Export documents | Which documents and translations are included? |
| Storage | How many days are included, and what is the daily charge after that? |
| Shipping | Who books the vessel and sends shipment confirmation? |
| Dealer support | How can my team track purchases, payments and documents? |
Get the quote and service terms in writing before placing a bid or paying a deposit.
For example, SUMOTORI’s dealer services cover vehicle sourcing, transport within Japan, export documents and shipping coordination. Its Yokozuna auction platform lets dealers research auction lots and track purchases and payments. Ask the team for a quote covering the services your order needs.
Check the exporter’s business activity
Look for the exporter’s profiles on automotive platforms, company updates and tools used by its customers. These help you understand what the company does and whether its services match your needs.
For example, you can find SUMOTORI Japan on:
- JapaneseCarTrade, where its profile describes its vehicle export business.
- AUCNET’s dealer directory, which lists its company and contact details.
- LinkedIn, where you can read company updates and learn about its work with overseas dealers.
- Google Play, where the Yokozuna app listing identifies SUMOTORI as its developer and provides support contacts.
Compare the company name, website and contact details across these profiles. For a closer look at how dealers research auction lots and track purchases, see SUMOTORI’s Yokozuna platform.
When to hold off on payment
Do not send payment until the exporter has explained and resolved any of these issues:
- The company details on the invoice do not match the registration you checked.
- The company cannot confirm your contact person or the invoice.
- The exporter claims association membership, but you cannot find its profile in the association’s directory.
- Bank details have changed, and the company has not confirmed the change through its published contacts.
- You are asked to pay a personal account or another company without a clear explanation.
- Fees, vehicle availability or cancellation terms remain unclear.
- Your contact pressures you to pay before you can complete these checks.
An office address or company name may appear differently across records. Ask the exporter to explain the difference and provide supporting documents before paying.
Discuss your first order with SUMOTORI
Contact the team through SUMOTORI’s official website to discuss the vehicles you need and your destination port. Request a written quote with included services, payment terms and the expected shipping schedule.
This guide uses public records and SUMOTORI Japan’s published information. Confirm prices, payment terms and included services with the exporter before placing an order.
