Okay, real talk. Buying a Japanese RV sounded like a dream, but man, figuring out how to actually do it? Total headache city. Everyone online made it seem impossible or crazy expensive. So, I rolled up my sleeves and just… figured it out. Here’s exactly what I did, warts and all.
Step 1: Getting My Head Straight & Finding The RV
First off, I stopped panicking about “how.” I started simple. I knew I wanted something small, reliable, not too old, and honestly, not gonna bankrupt me. I spent nights, seriously like weeks, just scouring different auction websites. Not glamorous, just refreshing pages, comparing pictures. Forget fancy searches; I looked for models I kinda recognized – Toyota Hiace, Mazda Bongo, that type. Pictures told me a lot: rust under doors? Bad sign. Engine bay look clean? Good sign. I bookmarked a few that looked solid and didn’t look like a rust bucket rescue mission.
Step 2: Actually Buying the Damn Thing
Found one! A little Toyota Townace, kinda boxy, but seemed clean. Okay, deep breath. This is where I almost chickened out. You need a buying agent. Sounds fancy, right? It’s really just a dude or a small company in Japan who knows the auction system. I emailed a few. Questions? Oh yeah:
- “How much commission do you take?” (Gotta know the real cost!)
- “Can you actually inspect the RV before bidding?” (Pictures lie! They sometimes go kick the tires for you).
- “What happens if I win? What’s next?”
Picked an agent who answered fast and didn’t sound like a robot. Sent him the auction sheet code for the Townace I liked. He bid for me… aaaand… WE WON! Just like that. Sent him the money (scary moment sending that wire!) plus his fee. Boom, owned a tiny house on wheels… sitting in Japan.
Step 3: The Not-So-Fun Paperwork & Getting it Home
Alright, celebrate later. Now the fun begins. Okay, not fun. Necessary evil. My agent handled the export paperwork in Japan – thank goodness. Then came MY part. Contacted a shipping company. Options:
- Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo): Cheaper, drive it onto a ship, pray it doesn’t get rusty. Chose this.
- Container: More expensive, but safer.
- “What documents do you need from me?” (Bill of Lading, Export Certificate, etc. – the agent sends these).
- “What fees am I looking at?” (Customs duty, port fees, broker fee… it adds up, be ready!).
Booked the RoRo spot. My agent got the RV to the port in Japan. Now, the nail-biting wait… about 4-5 weeks crossing the ocean. Meanwhile, panic mode! Started contacting customs brokers near my port (Los Angeles). More questions:
The ship landed. Broker handled the US customs clearance paperwork jungle (worth every penny). Paid the various fees. Finally got the call: “Go pick up your RV at the terminal!” Drove to the port (documents in hand!), found my little boxy Toyota in a sea of cars. Started right up! Signed some papers, handed over the gate pass. Drove it off the dock. Simple as that? Well, after months of stress!
Final Thought: It’s not magic, it’s just steps. Research like crazy, find a decent agent, brace for paperwork and fees, pick it up. Seeing my little Japanese RV sitting in my driveway? Priceless. You can totally do this.
