Shiotsu Autotrade Japan – President’s Blog

We get many requests for second hand Japanese cars and trucks from used car dealers as well as private importers in Zambia and Kenya.  We would like to inform you about the recent changes in regulations for importing second hand vehicles from Japan to Zambia and Kenya.  Kenyan government and Zambian government require all the vehicles that would be imported to these countries to undergo JEVIC inspection.

JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center Co Ltd) is an independent Japanese organization which specializes in pre-shipment inspection and certification of used vehicles exported from Japan to various countries.

As per new regulation for importing used vehicles to Zambia, the ZABS (Zambia Bureau of Standards) has appointed JEVIC for Roadworthiness Inspection of second hand vehicle from Japan destined for use within the Republic of Zambia, prior to export.  From May 14, 2009, all used vehicles exported from Japan to Zambia will need to undergo Road Worthiness Inspection by JEVIC.

The inspection criteria of Japanese used vehicles Kenya have also changed.  Please check the new regulation for importing used vehicles to Kenya for more details.  To summarize, all used vehicles imported from Japan to Kenya must meet the following criteria.

• All second hand vehicles imported to be imported to Kenya should be less than eight year old
• The imported used vehicles should be RHD (Right Hand Drive)
• The used vehicles should be accompanied with a Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards) authorized by JEVIC.

We can arrange for the inspection before shipment, however, it may take up to two weeks depending on the availability of the inspectors.  You would need to pay the Inspection fee JPY 13,625 and our administration fees.  Once the JEVIC inspection is completed, we will book your vehicle for shipment.  Please note that you will have to face penalty in Zambia and Kenya, if you try to import vehicles without the JEVIC certificate

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In these days when the gas prices are going up day by day, if you need a vehicle which is tough enough to accomplish your challenging transportation needs and minimize your fuel expenses at the same time, you should think of  Mini Trucks from Japan.  Mini Trucks also called Kei trucks – are compact trucks powered by a 550cc or 660 cc engine. Daihatsu, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, and Honda are the main mini-truck makers from Japan.

In Japan, you can find mini trucks plying on roads for transporting goods, in big cities like Tokyo, as well as in remote villages up in the mountains. These compact mini-trucks could be used for a great number of purposes such as farm vehicles, maintenance vehicles on school grounds, golf courses, ship yards, factory warehouses, camping grounds, flower nurseries, ranches and amusement parks.

There are numerous advantages of using these Japanese Kei trucks.

• Because of their compact size, they can travel to locations which can not be accessed by larger vehicles.
• They are fuel efficient, economical, and easy to maintain.
• They have a high degree of maneuverability, so can be effectively used to navigate narrow streets in crowded cities as well as in the countryside.

Typically a mini truck from Japan would have specifications as follows

• Weight: 0.75 ton (1600 lb)
• Dimensions: Width 1.4 m (4² 6³), Height 1.7 m (5² 8³) and Length 3.2 m (10² 6³)
• Payload capacity: 0.55 ton (1200 lb)
• Engine: 3 cylinder 660 cc (45HP) or 550 cc (40HP), Gasoline engine liquid cooled
• Drive: Four Wheel (4WD)
• Transmission: 4 or 5 speed
• Speed: Up to 80 Km/hr (50 MPH)
• Average: 17 km/liter (40 miles per gallon)

Mini Trucks from Japan have become very popular imports in the United States and Canada as a solution for off-road transportation needs. Import rules are relaxed for these vehicles because of their versatility. In these countries, these compact trucks are typically used on farms, ranches and hunting grounds.

The most popular Kei truck models from Japan are Subaru Sambar, Honda Acty, Suzuki Carry, Daihatsu Hijet and Mitsubishi Minicab. I f you are interested in importing these Japanese mini trucks, we can find suitable vehicles to match your requirements. If you have a large requirement, we can ship these trucks in containers  offering you the benefit of savings in cost and freight.

Technorati Tags: Mini Trucks, Kei trucks, Mini Trucks from Japan