User guide to Green Corner 2.0
How to get access to more photos
Unregistered users are limited in how many photos they can view for each listing. To access detailed photo reports, you need to register on our website. If you’re already registered, please log in. Registration and login can be done in the upper-right corner of our website (desktop version). After you complete registration or log in, return to the “Green Corner 2.0” listing page to view the detailed photo reports from our stockyard in Japan.
How to purchase a vehicle you like
When buying a vehicle, be sure to check the auction inspection notes provided in the auction sheets. Each auction house (as opposed to commercial marketplaces) generates an auction sheet with a preliminary inspection record of the vehicle before it goes up for bidding. Keep in mind these sheets are not professional inspection reports; they are quick assessments (averaging 7–10 minutes per car). Also note that auction cars are not new.
It’s vital to verify the chassis number, as you need to confirm the car’s production date. In Japan, both commercial sellers and auction houses typically note the vehicle’s initial registration year, which affects inspection cycles and associated costs for extending roadworthiness. The first owner may have registered the car a month or more after the official production date (in rare cases, more than a year later). Unlike Japan, Russia requires the production date because it directly influences the customs duties for importing the car. Therefore, please verify the production date to calculate the correct budget for purchasing a car from Japan.
To buy a vehicle from the “Green Corner 2.0” page, you must be logged in to our website and submit a purchase request for the chosen lot. That lot will automatically be reserved in your name, and you’ll receive an invoice that must be paid within five days. Note: The invoice must be issued to the vehicle’s recipient. Please keep a copy of the invoice and the payment order (the bank form that shows details about the payer, the recipient, transfer amount and currency, and transfer purpose), as these documents will be required during customs procedures when the car arrives in your country.
Important: Before placing a request, ensure you can transfer funds to Japan, since not all cities allow wire transfers to Japanese banks. You may consult with our managers regarding available payment methods.
Due to customs procedures required before shipment and the sanctions introduced against Russia, certain add-ons (enclosures) can’t be sent at this time and will be removed prior to shipment. Additional keys and digital control devices provided by the previous owner will be included with the car only if it remains in Japan until they are received. Otherwise, shipment of those items will be impossible.
After confirming that the payment has arrived in Akebono’s account, you will receive notification that your purchase of the lot has been successful. Next, you will need to provide information about the recipient of the vehicle.
Preparing your purchased car for shipment
Once you have purchased and paid for the vehicle, you must enter the recipient’s data (note that the recipient must pay the entire invoiced amount in their own name). To enter the recipient information, log in to your personal account and go to “Purchase Records” (this section appears by default). Select the relevant month and click on the model of the purchased vehicle to open its management page. In the upper-right corner, click “Add Recipient.” A form will appear for entering the recipient’s details. Please fill out this information accurately and without errors. You should also have scanned copies of the tax ID and passport (main pages and the page with the registered address) in good quality to upload to the site.
Important: Some fields in the “Registration Address” section are filled by typing a few letters of the name, then choosing the correct value from the drop-down menu. Depending on your device, browser, and network settings, there might be a delay before the system displays suggestions (if the delay persists, try typing another letter or two and wait for the matching option to appear).
If you have any questions about completing the form, please contact the customs broker. The customs broker’s contact information can be found on the Primbroker website.
The customs broker may request additional documents, so please watch your inbox for messages sent to your registered contact details (check your Spam folder in case of important emails from Akebono and our partners).
After successfully entering recipient data, the process of scheduling the car for shipment will begin, supported by Akebono’s logistics department. Our specialists will choose the safest and quickest shipping method for your car. Please note that delivery times and terms can vary based on weather conditions and Japanese customs procedures. The customs broker in Japan may charge extra for urgent processing of vehicles outside normal working hours.
Freight from Japan to Russia
Freight is carried out on specialized vessels designed for transporting cars by sea. The transit time from Toyama Port to Vladivostok Port typically ranges from one to three days, depending on weather conditions at various times of year. The most popular vessel among our customers is PTOLEMY.
What should you know about PTOLEMY?
A highly skilled crew, including foreign professionals, is always ready to implement advanced technical solutions for safe loading/unloading.
The loading speed for PTOLEMY exceeds that of many other vessel classes thanks to a built-in ramp that makes it fast and convenient for vehicles to drive on board. This saves time during loading/unloading, improving delivery times and financial stability by reducing risks from currency fluctuations, among other factors.
Your car’s safety is ensured through placement on cargo decks completely protected from external elements, with climate control to prevent water or moisture intrusion. This meets high transport standards that many other vessel types do not provide to the same extent.
Due to its dimensions and specifications, PTOLEMY has excellent stability, making it less sensitive to adverse weather, thus offering enhanced safety for loaded cargo. Moreover, it can achieve high travel speeds, further shortening the bridge between Japan and Russia by delivering vehicles faster.
High-quality transport standards are ensured by adhering to industry best practices for vehicle loading and securing on board, consistent with the methods used by major shipping lines for international new-car shipments.
Thanks to the vessel’s large capacity, your cars have less waiting time before departure from Japan, increasing your competitiveness in the Russian market for unworn (no-mileage) cars.
Customs procedures, Test laboratory, and Vehicle collection
When the cars arrive at Vladivostok Port, they are unloaded at a temporary storage warehouse (TSW) while awaiting customs processing. You must also arrange transportation from the warehouse to a test lab and back for obtaining the SBKTS and EPTS certificates.
The car will remain at the TSW until customs clearance is complete. These timeframes can be extended at the discretion of customs authorities in accordance with applicable law.
Once the vehicle has been cleared by customs, you’ll receive notification that it’s ready for pickup. You must then visit the customs broker’s office and pay any remaining fees. They’ll issue the necessary documents allowing you to collect the car from the TSW. Please confirm operating hours for the customs broker and TSW with the Primbroker managers. If you fail to collect your car on time, the customs broker may transfer it to another paid storage facility.
Important: When retrieving your vehicle at the TSW, carefully inspect it for damage or missing elements. Be sure to photograph any issues and complete a written report upon acceptance of the car at the TSW. You can only submit a claim if you have photos and a signed report (inspection form) recorded at the time you pick up the vehicle. Claims will not be considered if you did not complete the proper form upon collection.
We strongly recommend that all customers service their newly imported vehicles from Japan, especially those with significant mileage or extended usage. Timely and proper maintenance will greatly improve the car’s performance.
Our team will be happy to assist you if you have questions not covered in this basic guide to purchasing a car from the “Green Corner 2.0” online platform. For any inquiries, please contact us using the details provided on our website. We thank you for taking the time to review this guide.