Japan is the best market in the world for selling many types of vintage motorcycles. Demand for certain types of bikes far outstrips supply. That means the prices realized are significantly higher than would be possible in the USA or Europe. These, especially:
· Harley-Davidson knuckleheads, flatheads, panheads, shovelheads, KH stock, custom and especially choppers
· Vintage British-made bikes, namely Triumph, Norton, BSA, Vincent
· Vintage Honda CB’s of all varieties, CL, C and CR
· Kawasaki H1, H2, S3, Z1, KZ
· Suzuki GT (all sizes), T500, GS
· Yamaha RD, TD, TA, YS
Is it right for you, is it really worth it?
If you have one of the above, in a word…YES! The process and costs of shipping and selling your motorcycle in Japan will leave a net return after costs that far exceeds what selling your bike in America or Europe would bring. We’re into no-brainer territory.
Ok. But what are the costs?
If you live near or can get your motorcycle to, Los Angeles, it costs $700 to ship a standard-size motorcycle ($800 for choppers) to Japan.
My shipper runs a consolidated motorcycle container service to Japan approximately every three weeks. No crating required. Just drop off the bike, keys, title and a signed Power of Attorney permitting transit. You will also need to prepare an export invoice to declare the value of the motorcycle for Japan customs. I have templates for both forms. If getting your bike to Los Angeles is not feasible, I will work with you to find an economical alternative.
Japan’s import duties will be 10% of DECLARED value. A rough idea of declared value would be 50% of USA market price. If you can sell your bike in the USA for $7000 the declared customs value would be $3500. Therefore import tax of $350.00.
That’s all the costs?
No, one more cost: ME! I charge a service fee of 12% of the final sale value.
Let’s take a look at an example and see if it makes sense to sell your bike in Japan:
Recently sold 1969 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead recently sold in Japan
$9000 value (purchased on Craigslist/Arizona and sent directly to Japan for sale)
Declared Value - $5000/import tax of $500
Shipping - $800
Sold for $17,000/12% Service fee $2000
Net payment to seller: $13,700
Great. Does the bike need to be shipped before or after it is sold?
Although there are exceptions, the general rule is the bike should be in Japan before it is listed for sale here. Why!? Two reasons – first, the pool of buyers will be far greater for a motorcycle that is physically in the country rather than overseas. (more buyers = more demand = higher price) AND
Second, because there is no payout until the buyer receives the bike. Unlike in the USA or Europe, where the buyer pays the seller directly before the seller ships the item, in Japan the buyer does not pay the seller directly. Rather, the buyer pays Yahoo Auction – the principal online marketplace for sales of vintage motorcycles by private owners and where your bike would be listed for sale.
Does the title need to be in your name?
No. You just need a VIN-matching title. It doesn’t matter who’s name its in.
What happens if nobody buys it?
Great care is taken to make sure only bikes in high demand, with realistic sales price expectations are sent to Japan for sale. There is no value to the seller or to New York City Motorcycles for a bike to come to Japan and not sell. In the worst case scenario, it would be returned to the USA. Hasn’t happened yet and it never should!
You’re in Japan, how can I trust you?
2022 is the 10th anniversary of New York City Motorcycle’s founding. I’m proud of my company’s sterling reputation for honesty, to never have had a single deal end in acrimony or worse, a person left feeling ripped off. Don’t take my word for it, ask around. New York City Motorcycles is only as good as its reputation, nothing more and nothing less.
If we agree to sell your bike in Japan you will receive a signed consignment agreement covering all terms before you ship your bike.
I’m still interested. Ok, how long does it take?
On average, approximately 60 days from the day you drop off your bike. Transit is only 12-14 days at sea but containers depart once every three weeks or so. Auctions run 7 days, usually Sunday to Sunday. I will list the bike the week I pick it up from the port. Payment by the buyer is prompt and Japanese are excellent, honorable buyers.
What else do you need?
A complete, exhaustive description by you – since you know your bike. Sure, I want to know all the pluses but its critically important that defects, dents, aftermarket parts, issues to be addressed, be carefully described. You will do better being transparent and credible than by trying to conceal material information that the buyer – such as if it were you – would wish to know. Japanese have a well-earned reputation for obsessing over details and there is no detail too trivial to include – especially the negatives. And its not just the Japanese. I guard my excellent seller’s reputation religiously . Without it, none of this is possible. So please, don’t leave anything out! If in doubt, include it and we can review and edit it together afterwards.
Photos and video of the bike running are also required. Other than a brief start to make sure there are no issues after shipment, your bike will be secured indoors until it is collected or transported. When the bike arrives it will be unregistered in Japan; therefore I cannot legally move it for photos or video. The more photos the better. High resolution! Detailed close ups of everything! Not just beauty shots of left side, right side front and back.
