How to Buy

Export documents explained

When your car is shipped out from Japan, we'll send you a document pack that your customs broker needs for customs clearance. Here's what each paper is for, what it looks like, and the one choice you make on the Bill of Lading.

Every document below is a real example with private details removed. Click any image to enlarge.

Your customs clearance pack

The Document Pack

Export Certificate (de-registration)

Proves the car was de-registered for export in Japan — the core title document your customs broker needs. Issued in Japanese by the Transport Bureau.

What to look for Look for「輸出抹消仮登録証明書 / Export Certificate」across the top, the MLIT watermark, and the chassis number, model and export date in the grid.

Only some countries require the original Export Certificate. If yours does not, you can download a color scan from our portal.

English translation of Export Certificate

A certified English translation of the export certificate, where your country requires one. Same data, readable by your customs office.

What to look for Every field mirrors the Japanese original, ending with a "Translation Certified" stamp.

Inspection Certificate

Issued where a pre-export inspection (JEVIC, EAA, Autoterminal, QISJ…) is required for your market. Confirms roadworthiness, mileage and a radiation reading. The exact form depends on your destination country.

What to look for Vehicle particulars, odometer reading and a radiation reading, signed and stamped by the inspection body named on your certificate.

Commercial Invoice

The declared value of the car for customs at your end, with the car line, price term, payment terms and our bank details. On a CIF invoice the ocean freight and marine insurance are included; on an FOB invoice they are not.

What to look for The car line (model, chassis, price), the price term in the total — "TOTAL INVOICE (CIF)" or "TOTAL INVOICE (FOB)" — and "TOTAL DUE" for the balance before ship-out.

CIF invoice — freight & insurance included

Bill of Lading (B/L)

The shipping document that releases the car to you at the destination port — shipper, consignee, vessel, ports and the vehicle description. Whether ocean freight is prepaid by us (CIF) or collected at your end (FOB) shows on the B/L.

What to look for The vessel, voyage number and ports of loading/discharge — and whether it reads FREIGHT PREPAID (CIF, we pay the ocean freight) or FREIGHT COLLECT (FOB, you pay it at your end).

The one choice you make

Original B/L or Surrendered B/L?

This choice decides how the car is released at your port. Tell us your preference before shipping and we'll issue either.

Usually recommended

Surrendered B/L (Telex B/L)

Released at your port — no paper needed

We surrender the originals in Japan and the carrier releases the car at your port with no physical original required — faster, and nothing to courier.

No courier wait or lost-document risk
Convenient once your balance is paid
The usual choice for most buyers

Original B/L

Physical originals couriered to you

The original documents are couriered to you, and your broker presents one to collect the car at the port.

Choose this if you want a physical title document
Or if your bank requires the original
Allow courier time so it arrives before the ship

Because your balance is paid before the car ships, a Surrendered B/L is usually the convenient choice — but we can issue either. Just tell us before the vessel departs.

Sample — Surrendered B/L

Bill of Lading with a round SURRENDERED stamp

A Surrendered (Telex) B/L carries the round SURRENDERED stamp on its face — your signal that the originals are already released in Japan and nothing needs to be couriered. An Original B/L has no such stamp.

See the wider journey

How buying & exporting works, step by step

Questions about your documents?

Our team answers within one business day, in English or 中文.