Shipping & Purchase Process

How We Work

At Yamato Cars, we believe in transparency and clear communication. Here's exactly how our purchase and shipping process works:

Vehicle Selection

Choose from our inventory of machinery and trucks, or find a car through our Goo-Net Exchange partnership. Share the vehicle details or URL with us.

Browse our available inventory
Or search Goo-Net Exchange for cars
Submit inquiry with vehicle details

Proforma Invoice

We issue a detailed Proforma Invoice outlining all costs:

For Cars: CIF cost (Cost, Insurance, Freight to your port)
For Machinery/Trucks: FOB cost (Free On Board Japan) with CIF calculated upon request based on destination
Invoice valid for 7 days from issue date
All costs clearly itemized

Payment in Japan

Once you're ready to proceed:

Payment must be received in our Japan account
We accept bank transfer (wire transfer)
Payment receipt and invoice copies are shared immediately
Vehicle is reserved upon payment confirmation

Important: The vehicle is officially reserved only after payment is received and confirmed in Japan.

Shipping Preparation

After payment confirmation:

Vehicle undergoes final inspection
All export documentation prepared
Loading arrangements coordinated
You receive regular updates on shipping schedule

Loading & Shipment

Loading on ship occurs only after full CIF amount is cleared:

If partial payment made, shipment held until balance paid
Loading photos and Bill of Lading shared
Estimated arrival date confirmed
Vessel tracking information provided

Critical Policy: If customer delays clearing the balance payment, the shipment will be on hold until the full CIF amount is received. This protects both parties and ensures smooth delivery.

Arrival & Clearance

When the vehicle arrives at your destination port:

You receive arrival notification
All shipping documents provided
Local clearance support available (if requested)
Vehicle ready for pickup from port

Understanding Costs

FOB (Free On Board)

Applies to: Machinery & Trucks

Includes:

Vehicle cost
Export documentation
Loading at Japan port

You Pay Separately:

Ocean freight
Insurance
Destination port charges

CIF quote provided upon request based on your destination port

CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)

Applies to: Cars via Goo-Net

Includes Everything:

Vehicle cost
Ocean freight to your port
Marine insurance
Export documentation
Loading and handling

You Pay at Destination:

Import duties and taxes
Port handling charges
Local clearance fees

Complete door-to-port pricing for peace of mind

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping take?

Shipping time varies by destination:

Kenya (Mombasa): Approximately 6-8 weeks
Tanzania (Dar es Salaam): Approximately 6-8 weeks
Times may vary based on vessel schedule and port operations as well as how fast the CIF payment is completed by the client

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept international bank transfer (wire transfer) to our Japan bank account. Payment details are provided in the Proforma Invoice.

Can I inspect the vehicle before payment?

For machinery and trucks in our inventory, we provide detailed photos and can arrange video inspection. For Goo-Net Exchange vehicles, inspection reports are available through the platform.

What if I can't pay the full amount upfront?

We require full payment before loading on the ship. If you can only make a partial payment initially, the vehicle will be held securely in Japan until the balance is paid. However, please note that loading and shipment will only proceed once the complete CIF amount is cleared.

Do you assist with customs clearance?

We provide all necessary export documentation. For import clearance at your destination, we can recommend reliable clearing agents upon request.

What documents will I receive?

You will receive:

Bill of Lading (BL)
Export Certificate
Invoice
Vehicle inspection report (if applicable)