Apex Motors Editorial
Specialist team · 5 July 2026
Buying the car is the exciting part. Registering it is where many buyers lose weeks to missing papers and repeated office visits. Understanding the process in advance makes it straightforward.
Documents you will need
For a reconditioned import, the core file includes the bill of entry, the customs duty receipt, the export certificate from Japan, the original auction sheet, the sales invoice and the buyer's national identity documents. Missing any single document can stop the process entirely.
The inspection
The vehicle is presented for a physical inspection where the chassis and engine numbers are checked against the documents. Any mismatch, however small, must be resolved before registration can continue. This is why we verify every number long before the car is sold.
“Most registration delays begin with a single number that does not match.”
Fees, tax token and fitness
Registration fees depend on engine capacity and vehicle type. Once approved, the tax token and fitness certificate are issued, followed by the digital number plate. Timelines vary, but with a complete file the process is far quicker than most buyers expect.
Name transfer for pre-owned cars
When buying a car that is already registered, the seller must sign the transfer forms and provide their documents, and both parties' details are updated in the official record. Never pay in full for a pre-owned car until the transfer papers are signed.
Let us handle it
Our team manages registration and name transfer end to end for every car we sell. You sign once, and we return with your plates, tax token and fitness certificate ready to go.
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