Milestones you'll hear about
Won at auction
You receive the final price, the full auction sheet and the invoice.
De-registered and at port
The Japanese export certificate is issued and the car goes through export inspection.
Booked and loaded
We send you the vessel name, voyage and departure date. From here you can use the tracker.
At sea
6–8 weeks, usually via the Cape of Good Hope while the Red Sea is disrupted. Some sailings transship in a European port.
Arrived in Ireland
The car is discharged, customs are cleared, and the bill of lading is released.
VRT and plates
NCTS inspection, VRT paid, Irish registration issued.
How the website tracker works
Enter the ship name we send you, the loading port and departure date. The tracker estimates where the ship should be on the typical route and when it should reach Dublin, assuming an average of about 15 knots plus port calls.
Why dates move
- Extra port calls or schedule changes by the shipping line
- Weather, and congestion at transshipment ports
- Customs checks on arrival
- NCTS appointment availability
We tell you about any change as soon as we hear it.
Documents that travel with your car
- Export certificate — proof of de-registration in Japan
- Bill of lading — the shipping document needed to release the car
- Commercial invoice — used for customs value
- Auction sheet and translation — kept with your records
Ready to start your import?
Tell us the car, budget and timing — we'll reply with an honest view.