What is a Japanese car auction?
A Japanese car auction is a wholesale market for used vehicles. Car dealers, trade-in cars, leasing returns and company cars are sold there every week. There are more than one hundred auction venues across Japan. They are run by auction companies such as USS, TAA, CAA, JU and many others.
These are trade auctions. They are made for businesses, not for the public. This is why prices are lower than in a showroom, and why the system has strict rules.
Who can buy at a Japanese car auction?
Only members can bid. In practice a member is a company with a used car dealer licence (called kobutsusho in Japanese) that has been accepted by the auction house. A private person cannot join.
Buyers from other countries do not bid by themselves. They buy through a licensed exporter in Japan. The exporter bids for them and arranges the paperwork and the shipping.
How a sale works, step by step
- Before the sale, each car is listed with photos and an auction sheet. The sheet is an inspection report with a condition grade.
- Members study the list and decide the highest price they will pay for each car.
- On auction day the cars are shown one by one. Bidding is fast, often only a few seconds per car. Prices are in Japanese yen. Most auction houses also accept bids online.
- The winner pays the hammer price plus the auction fee and other fees.
- The car is moved to a yard. The exporter prepares the export documents and books the ship.
What the grades and the auction sheet tell you
Every car has an inspection sheet made by the auction house. It shows an overall grade (for example 4.5), an interior grade (for example B) and a drawing of the car with marks for scratches, dents and repairs. It also lists the mileage, the model code, the chassis number and the equipment.
The sheet is written in Japanese. Read our guide to the Japanese car auction sheet to learn the grades and the marks.
What does it cost?
The price you pay is more than the winning bid. Plan for these costs:
- The auction fee, paid by the buyer, and other auction house fees.
- The exporter service fee.
- Transport in Japan, from the auction yard to the port.
- Export paperwork and, for some countries, a pre-shipment inspection.
- Sea freight (RoRo or container) and insurance.
- Import duty and taxes in the buyer’s country.
Consumption tax works differently for exported cars. Ask your accountant or your exporter how it applies to you.
Why most foreign buyers use an exporter with an online system
The auction houses do not sell to foreign private buyers. A licensed exporter solves this. Many exporters give their clients a website where they can see the auction lots, bid, chat with the manager and pay. JAS builds this kind of website and the back office behind it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy at a Japanese car auction without a licence?
Not directly. Japanese trade auctions accept licensed dealers who are members. If you do not have a licence you can buy through a licensed exporter who bids for you.
Which is the biggest Japanese car auction?
USS is widely known as the largest auction group in Japan. TAA, CAA, JU, HAA and ORIX are also big names.
Are the prices in yen?
Yes. Bids and fees are in Japanese yen. Your exporter converts the amount to your currency when you pay.
How long does an auction take?
Each car is sold in seconds. A full auction day has thousands of cars, so members use the list and set their maximum prices before the sale.
Last updated: 9 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the details with the authorities.