hello ...

I will keep you updated, now all is delayed and in progress, it looks like German bikes have to be temporarily registered ... .

I will give a whole "Report" on the process once I am through, for the case someone else is trying to do it correctly with a bike registered in Germany.

Cheers,

Thomas

Thomas

Registration and customs are different subjects handled by different agencies; so if you have a carnet, customs should not give you any problems.
Did JAF tell you you need to register the bike?
Usually, you say "Oh, yes. I will register it." but you don't actually register it.
I know many people who rode German bikes in Japan. The police do not know which countries the treaty applies to, so they usually don't give you a problem.
If you register, I think you have to have all the testing done. This is very expensive!
You should concentrate first on getting the bike out of customs!

The issue was covered here in the past:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...in-japan-20921

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Japan touring information

Hi Chris!
My impression is that something is going on in between the agencies JAF, Customs, that registration place and a major institution.
Bad luck I was sick two days and today is a holiday, JAF is closed:
1. JAF inquired with a long phonecall on Friday about how it has to be done wit a German bike and biker.
Result: I need the translation of the driving license and they said that they were told by that institution to tell me, that I may not ride without registration and technical check! And of cause not without translation of my driving license.

2. Customs today asked if I want to ride the bike in Japan (of cause you butthead) and if I have a driving license, a Japanese one! All that after he did that same kind of phone call to some other institution. That customer only wants to give me the bike if I show tomorrow the translation of the driving license which is ready only tomorrow at JAF since JAF is closed today.

So, I will see tomorrow how JAF reacts and if the customs hand me the bike on base of the translation of driving license, or, if they maybe even know more about the necessary registration and technical check, which was not mentioned today.
See it from this point:
If it is indeed the law that I need all that shit, then it is quite logical that they fix the bike down until you have all papers. But at the customs no one knows ... .
And the way to get around it it is of cause how you say: always answering that you will do exactly as they say, registering it, not riding it before you have all the stuff, etc., not talking about anything what is missing etc..
of cause one trick is to have the crate delivered somewhere, but that was not possible for me anymore today. I hope I dont have to do that tomorrow.

Ok folks, I will keep you updated and give the perfect report for anyone who wants to do it in the future who`s country didnt sign the contract with Japan!
Cheers,
Thomas

Thomas, mail sent,

but anyways,here too.

You will need a translation of your German driver's license, which will enable you to drive / ride upto one year in Japan. No big deal.

Concerning the temp. registration and inspection, Chris gave you the answers already. This is the first time for me to hear something like this. Yes, Germany did not sign that special treaty ... but none of the previous folks from Germany had any problems (thanks to Chris too, of course!!).

Maybe it depends on the port you arrive at. All other German bikers came via Russia to Hokkaido. In any case, an inspection + temp. registration - you can buy a used bike for that money (want my Honda TransAlp???)

Please keep us informed of what is going on!

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Interesting developments. I don't have a lot of experience with temporary import at the airport, but it was easy in the past.
Usually, if you show your carnet, Customs will just release the bike to you. (You do need a paper from JAF that says the carnet is real, though).
Of course, you cannot register it until Customs releases it to you. So, I think you can get your bike even if you can't (officially) ride it.
Usually a Customs officer is not there when you leave with the bike. I think, in the worst case, you can rent a truck and take the bike away from the airport.

I am curious. When they asked for your license, did you show your International Driving Permit? I know Germans are supposed to have a separate license translation, but Customs people usually do not know the traffic laws. Maybe he called JAF and they told him more than he needed to know!

Good luck tomorrow. I think it will be cold tomorrow too!

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Japan touring information

JAF was closed today, so I think he called somewhere else. You see, thats what I mean: somehow they got more careful to do it right.
Nowhere in the world I was asked by the customs jet for my driving license ... .

Part of the confusion on ALL SIDES might be the different treaties with different countries. Also when we talk about it in the future, it seems to be necessary that we make a difference in between the countries of origin.
Coming by ferry seems to be the better option now, if it is possible for one to do so.
Ok, another day - another way ... maybe by truck

Hip, hip, hurray .....
Chris (and all others here):

Thomas got his bike out of customs.

It is with him at the ryokan.
Just got an e-mail.

And Chris, thanx again (as always, I know, I know!!!).
The next couple of will be on me, once we meet!!!

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