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Inspection and Temporary Import of Bike to Japan Inspection and Temporary Import of Bike to Japan
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  #1  
Old 17 Feb 2014
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Inspection and Temporary Import of Bike to Japan
Hi all,

I am currently planning a longer trip to asia.
I intended to stop by in Japan. All information states, that a CDP is required to enter Japan and use your bike temporarly.

The JAF website (JAF For Visitors Bringing Vehicles with Carnet de Passages en Douane) states under Note 5
Quote:
4. Anyone who drives a temporarily imported vehicle must always keep a “Registration Certificate” with him/her, issued for the vehicle, which certificate is prescribed in the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic.
5. If a temporarily imported vehicle is registered in a country that is not a party to the aforementioned Convention, it must be inspected and registered in Japan on arrival, even if imported under cover of CPD.
So far so good, unlucky for me is, that I am Swiss and my Motorbike is registerd in Switzerland. And not the big deal, we signed the 1949 convetion but never ratified it.
If others are unsure if there country is part of it check the UN webiste https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDe...mtdsg5&lang=en

So now back to my question, anybody there who has an Idea on how Inspections and registration in Japan works?
And how much this would cost aproximately?

Thanks for any help or websites for clearer information.
Unfortunantly the JAF-Website also only states a FAX-No. No E-Mail.

I hope to get some Information before I have to make an international longdistance call to Japan.

Thanks
Eagle
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  #2  
Old 18 Feb 2014
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Read this:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...915#post450963

The short answer is: Do not volunteer any information. Say "yes, of course I will register." The costs of registering are tremendous. I know many Swiss and Germans who visited, but nobody has ever inspected or registered the bike. Customs does not know all the road rules (and it is not their business what you do after importing), so you will probably be OK.
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  #3  
Old 19 Feb 2014
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As always, Chris gave the appropriate answers already!

Had German bikers coming to Japan and it was never a (big) problem. Best way maybe coming in from Hokkaido. You may want to check out Heidi & Bernd's webiste: welt-tour.com - Japan. This is the Japan part, but they travelled more or less all over the world.
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  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2014
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I am biking with a German license plate since a month in Japan (even in the snow) and had no problem so far. Some people wonder about it and I just say, yes yes, its fine. Two cops in a car spotted it as well, I saw, but they didnt bother to check any closer. I hope it stays like that.
Greetings, Thomas
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  #5  
Old 25 Feb 2014
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Hi Guys thanks for the info
I will do that too :-)
Hope everything goes well next august.
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  #6  
Old 12 Mar 2014
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Question
If you avoid the bike inspection/registration process upon entering Japan, are you putting yourself at risk of your insurance (Japanese or otherwise) not paying out in the event of a crash?

I could see an insurance company saying something like "Well, your bike wasn't properly registered to be ridden in Japan, so we don't have to pay."
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  #7  
Old 1 Dec 2014
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Sending my bike back from Kobe to europe cost me 1700usd + 320usd collection fee.. thats a lot less than the 2000£... Interfracht is the company.. let me (or chris for the matter, he gave me their details) know and ill look it up..
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  #8  
Old 1 Dec 2014
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Yup, Interfracht is the company you should contact!
If you need their contact info, please send me an e-mail:
klausdorth(at)web.de!
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  #9  
Old 21 Dec 2014
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I did a trip from Serbia to Japan with stop to S.Korea on DR650 and shipped bike back to Holland, this October for 1700 Euros.
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  #10  
Old 11 Jan 2018
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Interesting info!

Can anyone confirm if a motorcycle from Belgium needs to be registered?

I read about Germany, Switzerland, Monaco and Slovenia, that would require registration.
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  #11  
Old 12 Jan 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bartAT View Post
Interesting info!

Can anyone confirm if a motorcycle from Belgium needs to be registered?

I read about Germany, Switzerland, Monaco and Slovenia, that would require registration.
If Belgium is party to only the 1968 treaty and not the 1949 treaty, they your technically need to register (however, this is impossible as previously mentioned).
This shows what Belgium is a party to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDe...mtdsg5&lang=en
And also the 1968 Convention
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDe...lang=en#EndDec

So, your vehicle is probably OK to use without the mysterious registration that I have never seen in almost 20 years of helping travelers.
Ask JAF for details
JAF For Visitors Bringing Vehicles with Carnet de Passages en Douane

Your IDP, however, may be issued in 1968 format (valid for 3 years). In which case, you will probably need an official translation from JAF because Japan only accepts the 1949 one year format.
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  #12  
Old 11 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klaus View Post
Yup, Interfracht is the company you should contact!
If you need their contact info, please send me an e-mail:
klausdorth(at)web.de!
I can report that Interfracht is one exceptional company, 1300€ all included from Tokyo to Bremerhaven. Absolutely smooth without any problems, and without any additional charges. Awesome service, german company with a branch in Ginza. I can recommend to max.
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  #13  
Old 10 Jun 2018
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Really seems expensive to get a bike into japan. Me and my wife are planning a trip to japan the long way round via usa. Seem like we will be the better part of 4k to get our bike shipped and into the country.
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