Japan-based used vehicle exporter
SUMOTORI AUTO – used vehicle export from Japan for dealers
End-to-end supply from Japanese auctions and B2B platforms for automotive dealers and business buyers worldwide.
For dealers and business buyers
Source, buy and export vehicles from Japan with local support
We help dealers buy cars, trucks, motorcycles and construction machinery from Japan, manage export operations and deliver vehicles to markets on all continents.
- Japanese auctions and B2B vehicle platforms
- Purchase, export documents and shipping coordination
- Yokozuna platform for auction search, analytics and pricing
Since 1991
part of the SUMOTORI Japan group working with Japan
2019
export company established in Nagoya, Japan
20,000+
vehicles exported in 2025
200,000
vehicles planned as a growth target by 2030
Why companies work with Sumotori Japan
Why automotive dealers choose Sumotori Japan
Sumotori Auto is a Japanese used vehicle exporter for dealers and business clients, combining auction access, export operations, and a modern digital platform, Yokozuna.
Reliable Japanese exporter
Part of a large trading and investment group with multi-industry operations and solid financial background.
Licensed Japanese exporter and JUMVEA member
Operating within official dealer-only auction systems and regulated export procedures.
B2B focus
We work with dealers, resellers, and business buyers, not with private individuals directly.
End-to-end coverage
From auction search and bidding to export, shipping, and handover to a local logistics partner.
Global markets
Regular shipments to the UK, EU, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, CIS, Africa, North and South America, and other regions.
Multi-segment
Cars, commercial vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and construction machinery from Japanese auctions and platforms.
Yokozuna platform
IT/AI tools for auctions, analytics, and pricing that help dealers grow faster and reduce operational mistakes.
Transparent workflows
Clear fees and structured processes so dealers can build their own pricing and margin with confidence.
Two ways to source vehicles from Japan
Two ways to source vehicles from Japan with Sumotori Japan
We support both flexible auction sourcing and faster stock-based purchasing so dealers can choose the model that fits their business.
Auction sourcing
Use Japanese car auctions to build your inventory with maximum choice and market pricing.
- Direct access to major Japanese car auctions via the Yokozuna online platform
- Wide selection of used cars, trucks, motorcycles, and machinery listed daily
- Bidding strategy tailored to your target models, price bands, and turnover speed
- Detailed auction sheet analysis and condition explanation to support purchasing decisions
Best suited for
Dealers building a diversified, data-driven buying program
Stock vehicles
Use ready-for-export stock when speed and predictability are more important than maximum choice.
- Vehicles already purchased and prepared for export
- Photos, inspection data, and documents available in advance
- Suitable for dealers who need faster replenishment and simpler sourcing
- Can be combined with auction purchases as part of one supply program
Best suited for
Dealers who need faster replenishment and simpler sourcing
How the process works
How the process works for dealers
We manage the full B2B process from auctions in Japan to delivery to your country, while Yokozuna keeps it structured and transparent.
For a dedicated overview of dealer cooperation, visit the Sumotori for dealers page.
Browse and select vehicles
Use Yokozuna to search Japanese auctions and stock, filter by model, mileage, grade, year, and budget, and create a shortlist.
Confirm options and purchasing strategy
Agree on target cars, maximum bids, fee structure, logistics routes, and delivery terms (FOB, CFR and others).
You configure your own pricing and taxes in Yokozuna to understand your landed cost and margins.
Bidding, purchase, and inspection
Our team bids on your behalf at the auctions according to the agreed strategy.
After a successful purchase, we perform inspection, take additional photos or videos if necessary, and prepare the vehicle for export.
Export documentation and logistics in Japan
We handle deregistration, export certificates, and shipping documentation on the Japan side.
Domestic transportation to the port, yard handling, and coordination with shipping lines are managed by our team.
Shipping and delivery to your market
We book vessels, organize loading, and share shipment details and tracking.
You receive all necessary export documents for customs clearance in your country and continue working with your local broker or logistics partner.
The role of a Japan-based partner
Why a Japan-based B2B exporter matters
Access to Japanese car auctions and the export system is limited to licensed companies in Japan. A local partner is essential if you want to buy directly from auctions as a dealer.
Access to dealer-only auction systems
Japanese car auctions and B2B platforms are not open to private individuals.
A licensed exporter in Japan gives foreign dealers structured access to:
- Auction search and statistics
- Bidding and settlement
- Export preparation and shipping
With Sumotori and Yokozuna, dealers can work with auctions as if they were in Japan, without building their own local presence.
Interpreting information and assessing vehicles
Auction sheets and inspection reports are in Japanese and require experience to interpret correctly.
Yokozuna includes AI powered translation that converts even handwritten auction sheets into readable English within seconds, helping dealers quickly understand key details.
For cases where deeper context is needed, dealers can request a human translation and order an on site vehicle inspection at the auction, including additional photos and comments.
Our team explains the key points, highlights risks, and helps dealers understand what they are really buying, beyond just photos and grades.
Export preparation and logistics
Exporting a vehicle from Japan is more than buying it at an auction.
We manage deregistration, export certificates, domestic transport, and shipping arrangements so your team can focus on sales and retail operations in your market.
Markets we serve
Where we export from Japan
Sumotori exports used vehicles from Japan to dealers and business clients on all continents.
Europe
United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Germany and other EU markets.
Oceania
New Zealand, Australia and surrounding islands.
North & South America
United States, Canada, Chile, Paraguay, Guyana and other countries.
Africa
South Africa, Kenya and other African markets.
Asia & CIS
Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and other countries in the region.
Explore country-specific pages in our vehicle import by country directory to learn more about Japan-side export support and local import responsibilities by market.
FAQ
FAQ: buying and exporting vehicles from Japan as a dealer
These answers are written for dealers and business clients. If you are a private buyer, you usually work through a local dealer. We recommend choosing a dealer who works with the Yokozuna platform.
Japanese car auctions are dealer-only systems and are not directly available to private individuals.
Foreign dealers usually work through a licensed exporter in Japan who provides auction access, manages bidding and settlement, and organizes export and shipping.
Dealers choose an exporter and platform, define their buying targets and budget, and then place bids via the exporter’s auction access.
Each vehicle has an inspection sheet, grade, and photos.
If your bid wins, the vehicle is settled through the exporter, prepared for export, and shipped to your country.
We work with both.
Most of our volume comes from Japanese auctions, which gives dealers maximum choice and market-driven pricing.
We also offer ready-for-export stock vehicles for dealers who prefer faster and simpler purchasing.
Transit time depends on the destination country, route, vessel schedule, and port congestion.
In many cases, shipping from Japan takes from several weeks to a little over a month after export.
Your local customs clearance and inland logistics add additional time on top of sea transport.
For export, vehicles must be deregistered in Japan and accompanied by export certificates and shipping documentation.
We prepare and provide the full export document package needed for customs clearance in your country, while you work with your local broker or customs agent.
The core of the price is the auction result or stock offer price.
On top of that, you have exporter fees, domestic logistics in Japan, shipping costs, and costs in your own country (taxes, customs, port and inland charges).
Yokozuna helps you build your own landed-cost model by allowing you to configure fees and local charges in your currency so you understand your margins before each purchase.
When choosing an exporter, dealers usually look at:
- whether the company is registered in Japan and holds the necessary export licenses
- whether it is a member of a recognised industry association such as JUMVEA
- how long it has been operating in the market
- whether it works directly with official auctions and platforms
- whether it has its own infrastructure and transparent processes
Sumotori Auto is part of a larger group working with Japan since 1991 and focuses on B2B export with a clear, traceable operational model.
Inspection, export preparation, and logistics on the Japan side are handled by our team and partners in the Sumotori ecosystem.
We coordinate auction inspections, additional checks where needed, deregistration, export documents, inland transport, and shipping to the destination port.
You or your logistics partner manage customs clearance and delivery inside your country, using the documentation we provide.
Our services are designed for dealers, resellers, and business buyers.
Private individuals usually buy through local dealers in their own countries.
If you are a private buyer, we recommend choosing a dealer who works with Yokozuna — this way, you benefit from transparent pricing and structured processes built for B2B, while your local dealer remains your direct point of contact.
Contact information
Contact Sumotori Japan
2 Chome-20-22 Kikui, Garden Front Kikui 4F