I've decided to sell my two HiJets and cant believe all the interest I've had in them. Made me think about buying a container of them and reselling for a bit of side income. There is no one doing it in my area and lots of farms near by that wouldn't care if they are titled or not. I know nothing about the import process. I just want to know approximately what a container load cost, if I keep the container or not, and any reliable importers if you know any.
It's really not that difficult to import the truck especially if you have no plans on making them street legal. You can import any hear model mini trucks and have hem imported as being a "atv". You'll want to look at importer websites and such to get an idea what they're going to cost in regards to the actual trucks plus the shipping which the importers will inform you about. You can buy 25 year old or older vehicles and make them street legal fairly easy. Just watch it for bait and switch scammers. Also as a side note if you're going to import them for farmers and such I just ask as a mini truck fan to another buy the semi newer ones instead of do 25 year and older ones so people like myself who want street legal mini trucks will still be able to find them.
Do you know any reputable sources to buy them? Only one place has emailed back. They want $3,000 for the older ones and $3-5,000 for newer. Estimated $5,500 for shipping. They have a decent inventory with pictures to choose from but at final cost ~$4,400 each there wouldn't be much money to make considering the risk / potential headache.
You normally don't buy the container. You load the shippers container on one end and unload it on the other and they take it back. We got a container with some equipment shipped from China to the west coast a few years ago and it cost about $2k.
japancardirect.com 1200 dollar trucks plus shipping plus their fee. all In delivered to NA about $3200 USD. I did this about 3 years ago and have never had one regret. Scott bower a Canadian guy in Japan. is owner of site. Honest fellow Good luck
I will second Tony's praise for Japan Car Direct. I went through them based on positive word of mouth and they were great. Matthew and Scott are extremely helpful and timely in their response.
@Jaredk253 and Tony evers, were you informed on what model truck you were bidding on beforehand? You guy's have me strongly considering using that company when I decide to buy a mini truck. However I want it street legal so ill need a certain year.
I would say you are pretty well informed. You tell them exactly what you want; year, make, model, grade, and when you or they find a match that you want to proceed with they have it inspected. I think its a pretty basic inspection but provides more information to that specific vehicle. If you want to proceed from there than you give them your max bid figure. I lost a couple bids and ended up finding one at a dealership that I bought, they facilitated that purchase and shipping arrangements. I paid a higher price than general auction figures (not any more than some of the nicer trucks in my criteria) but I had much better photos. No regrets.
