Import Documents for Japanese Used Cars
Export certificate, bill of lading, inspection CoR/CoC, IDF and TIN/PIN — what Japan issues vs what you must lodge at destination.
Japanese export paperwork and destination import paperwork are different piles. Missing either stops the car. This guide lists what KMC JAPAN prepares in Japan and what you (or your clearing agent) must have at destination.
Documents issued in Japan
- Export certificate — identity, first registration, manufacture year. KEBS, TRA, NBR and others read this, not the auction headline.
- Bill of lading — ocean contract; needed for port release.
- Commercial invoice — sale value. Destination customs may still revalue (CRSP, UMVVS, Yellow Book).
- Inspection / CoC / CoR — QISJ for Kenya, Intertek MOZ for Mozambique, and the agent your country currently appoints.
- Packing list / insurance — as the line and destination require.
Documents you must arrange
- Importer ID — KRA PIN, TRA TIN, URA TIN, ZRA TPIN, NBR papers, etc.
- Pre-shipment declarations — Kenya IDF before sailing; Tanzania TANCIS lodging before arrival.
- Permits — only if the market is restricted (ITAC, AP, SEVS). No permit means do not buy.
What to keep with the car file
Never ship the only copy of the Japanese export certificate in a way you cannot retrieve. Destination age checks fail without it. For a country-by-country list, open the country guides.
Ready to import from Japan?
Tell us the destination and the vehicle. We check eligibility before you commit.