Frequently asked questions.

We are a Sri Lankan consultation firm that helps individuals import vehicles directly from Japan. We guide you through choosing a car, auction bidding, verification, shipping, customs clearance and registration.

No. We do not hold stock and we do not sell cars with a dealer markup. We facilitate your own import and charge a transparent consultation fee for our service.

Oriental Trading has founders in both Sri Lanka and Japan, and works with a trusted Japanese exporter through a family connection in Japan.

Yes. Vehicle selection is a core part of our consultation. We talk through your needs, budget and preferences and give you honest advice on suitable models.

In Japan, vehicles sold at auction are usually inspected and given an auction sheet that records details such as the grade, condition notes and mileage. We help you read and verify it so you understand the vehicle before bidding.

No. You stay in control. We advise and you decide which vehicle to bid on and how much you are willing to pay.

Whether a particular vehicle can be imported depends on the Sri Lankan import regulations in force at the time. We will discuss your chosen vehicle with you during the consultation.

It depends on the vehicle, the auction price, exchange rates, taxes, clearing and registration. You get a high-level quotation first, then a detailed quotation before anything is bought. See our cost guide for how the total is built up.

The vehicle invoice value and exporter fee, bank (LC) commission, insurance, any extra charges, temporary VAT, import tax, clearing and port charges, RMV registration costs (RMV charges, insurance, green test and revenue licence) and our consultation fee.

No. After you approve the detailed quotation, you pay an advance and sign an agreement letter. The other costs are paid stage by stage: at purchase, at LC settlement, at clearing and at registration.

A letter of credit (LC) is how the vehicle is paid for. It is placed with your bank for the vehicle’s invoice value, and the bank charges a commission for it.

Our consultation fee is shown as its own line in your quotation, added to the vehicle, shipping, tax, clearing and registration costs, so you always know what our service costs. It is agreed up front.

A TIN certificate with all your tax returns filed, a copy of your ID certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP), 2 photographs (2 × 2.5 inch) certified by a JP, an MTA 2 form, and an affidavit if your address is not the same across your documents. See the full checklist on How It Works.

Yes. You need a TIN certificate, with all your tax returns filed, before we buy the vehicle. Your TIN is also used for temporary VAT.

Temporary VAT is paid when the LC is settled, before clearing. It uses the invoice, bill of lading (BL), LC and your TIN.

Your vehicle is cleared through customs and collected from Hambantota, once the tax assessment, tax payment and clearing and port charges are complete.

They are the pre-shipment inspection, vehicle condition and odometer certificates for your vehicle. Along with the export certificate, they are part of the documents needed for RMV registration.

It varies with the vehicle, auction availability, shipping schedules and clearance. We will give you realistic expectations for your specific case during the consultation.

Yes. You get personal one-on-one support, and we keep you informed at each stage, from quotation to purchase, shipping, clearance and registration.

We guide you through temporary VAT, customs clearance and RMV registration, and we explain what is needed from you at each step.

Send us a message through our contact form, WhatsApp or Instagram with the vehicle you have in mind and your budget. We will get back to you to arrange a consultation.